HIKING IN VALHALLA

HIKING INFORMATION

Self-guided hikes at VMT have various hazards and those choosing to do them do so at their own risk. All routes travel through grizzly bear habitat. Carry bear spray, travel in groups and make noise. There is limited to no cell service on the hikes so satellite communication devices should be carried on all hikes. If you are leaving the lodge to drive to a trail head, please leave the VMT Lodge gate closed behind you.

The map opposite should be used as a basic outline only and should not be your only form of navigation. Please carry a GPS device or a map and compass and know how to use them. If you are new to hiking or are not confident in your navigation skills, please contact us to book a guide.

There are five maintained hiking trails surrounding the VMT Lodge, listed in order of proximity to the lodge:

  • The VMT Lodge Trail

  • Ruby-Crown Jewel Loop

  • Big Sister Mountain Loop

  • Shannon Lake/Lake Takatori

  • Little Caribou Lake Alpine

Read more about each route below.

VMT Lodge Trail

Distance (round trip): 580 m 
Elevation gain/loss: 50 m

Description:
Creekside trail that follows Ruby Creek down and Silveretta Creek back up in a pleasant loop near the lodge. Trail begins from the southwest corner of the lodge and follows the creek downhill.


Ruby-Crown Jewel Loop

Distance (round trip): 7.8 km
Elevation gain/loss: 740 m

Description:
The best wildflowers in the tenure can be found on the Ruby Ridge, along with great views of the south Valhallas, the Goat Range, The Monashees and even as far east as the craggy spires in the Bugaboos and the Leaning Towers in the Purcells. Trail begins on the lodge side of Ruby Creek, just opposite the “fire hose” building. Follow the trail upwards. Watch for where the trail forks left 50 m after joining the ATV trail (there is a sign). The Ruby and Crown Jewel Ridge sections are not established trails and travel is on heather ridges and short sections of small scree. 

Big Sister Mountain Loop

Distance (round trip): 8.7 km (or 6 km to the Big Sister Saddle)
Elevation gain/loss: 935 m (650 m to the Big Sister Saddle)

Description:
This route can be followed just up to the Big Sister Saddle as an out-and-back on a well-established trail or as an adventure loop up to the summit of the local landmark Big Sister Mountain (steep scree, exposed summit ridge) then on an off-trail section to bring you to the ATV road on the pass below Rugged Peak and back to the lodge. Highlights include gorgeous flowers on the Little Brother Ridge, lush creeks and flowers in the meadows below Big Sister Mountain, and cool burnt forest ambience on the climb up.

Shannon Lake/Lake Takatori

To the North End of Shannon Lake
Distance (round trip): 3km
Elevation gain/loss: 260m

To Lake Takatori
Distance (round trip) 8.5km
Elevation gain/loss: 700m

Description:
Shannon Lake is a gorgeous subalpine lake with hungry cutthroat trout if fishing is your jam. If you’re more into mountain travel, head up to Lake Takatori for an alpine dip or even beyond to One Goat Pass (no trail). To reach the parking area, drive back down the lodge access road to the main Shannon FSR, turn left and drive for 400 m then take a sharp right turn. Follow this road for 2 km and park where the road takes a sharp switchback to the right. The trail follows the creek up from here. 

Little Caribou Lake Alpine

To Little Caribou Lake
Distance (round trip): 2.5km
Elevation gain/loss: 150m

To the ridge
Distance (round trip): 6km
Elevation gain/loss: 400m

Description:
Little Caribou Lake is a small subalpine lake that also has cutthroat trout. It’s a short easy hike that can be extended onto a gorgeous alpine ridge. To access the parking area, drive back down the lodge access road to the main Shannon FSR. Turn right and drive for 3 km where there is a large pullout and another road going off to the right. Park here, follow the road up for 500 m to the south until a small trail branches off on the uphill side of the road right at a switchback. Follow the trail through an old cutblock then into a mature forest and to the lake.