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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Citadel Peak

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Panoramic View from Quartz Hill towards Citadel Peak. Howard Douglas Lake surrounded by golden larches below. Picture taken on a previous year trip

September 21, 2020

Citadel Peak is frequently overlooked despite steady flow of backpackers bound for Mt. Assiniboine.  Towering above Citadel Pass it provides great views and is well worth either on its own or side trip during Assiniboine backpack.   Approach is spectacular with several hours of prime alpine hiking, specially during golden autumn larch color change.  Trip is feasible as day hike from Sunshine Village, but camping at Howard Douglas campground is valid option.  Wild bivi at nearby Fatigue Pass is another possibility that allows ascent of nearby Fatigue peak and several others.  5.5km Sunshine access road can be walked or cycled;  in summer investing in regular tourist bus (when running - in 2020 it was cancelled due to COVID-10 pandemic) is worth considering as overall distance is wee bit long for out-and-back dayhike.  Abstract stats are given for upper Sunshine Village return.

Follow Rock Isle lake trail to BC/Alberta provincial border and Continental Divide;  take signed left fork  for Mt. Assiniboine, about 20-25min from upper Sunshine Village.  Several kilometers of spectacular alpine hiking follow.  Trail dips briefly through stint of larch forest, then rises through series of switchbacks to Quartz Hill Pass (lead photo).  Views are simply outstanding.  Descend to Howard Douglas lake (campground is on east side and has metal lockers, picnic bench and dedicated tent pads).  Continue over equally beautiful Citadel Meadows and climb to Citadel Pass;  ~2.5 - 3 hrs of moderate pace from Sunshine Village.  Assiniboine backpackers can stash their heavy overnight pack here;  Citadel Peak side extension will take 1.5-2 hrs only.  Assiniboine trail descends on the other side, but do not follow it; instead angle right and up, aiming for center part of grassy slope.  Peeling cliffs in upper part can be tackled at several places and offer various degree of difficulty.  Easiest gully in left part is nothing but steep hiking, but grade will tire you. Be ware of heather when wet as it can be slick, specially on descent.  Above the gully angle right to highest point that has summit cairn, but usually no register.  If time allows walk over to south end for in-your-face of Mt. Assiniboine a.k.a "Matterhorn of the Rockies".   On descent, instead of sidehilling back to Citadel Pass, descend directly down and intersect trail some 200m below Citadel Pass.  Return the same way to either Howard Douglas "base camp" or Sunshine Village.

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