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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Skoki Mountain

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Skoki Peak Summit Panorama with both Pipestone (L) and Red Deer (R) Valleys separated by Cyclone group (C).  Red Deer Lakes below

October 9, 2023

Skoki Peak is somewhat isolated peak rising directly above Historic Skoki Lodge.  Ascent is usually done from overnight "basecamp" at one of Parks Canada back-country campgrounds:  Merlin meadows (SK18),  Red Deer Lakes (SK19),  Baker Lake (SK11) - or even Lodge itself if you have deep pockets.  Day trips from Fish Creek parking are bit too long with ~35km and over 1500m vertical, but feasible for fit person because of good approach trails that allow fast hiking.  On my day ascent on a gorgeous Indian Summer day in October '23 I approached via Packer Pass and hiked out via Deception Pass, thus forming loop of a sort.  This is the recommended direction for Skoki "back-country", regardless of overall logistics.   This page describes ascent from Skoki Lodge and stats in Abstract are given accordingly. 

Approach trail starts behind main lodge building.  Find post with "Peepipe" sign (Waypoint 1 - Skoki Lodge, GPS download at top of page).  At some point there was also "Skoki Peak" direction table here but has been taken down.  Good trail rises for 10min to unmarked junction;  turn right (left trail is Merlin Meadows shortcut - if you are staying there, don't hike back to the Lodge, find trail behind the campground that will bring you to this junction).  Trail reaches treeline in about 30min, last part somewhat steep ascent in drainage gully.  Skoki peak is above and as usual view is foreshortened.  Ascent slope is very similar to nearby Fossil Peak, both in length and difficulty.  Note clear orange / cream colour demarcation;  trails in orange part are lose and best suited for fast scree surfing descent, while cream slope has some larger rocks that help stability.  Upon topping up on obvious saddle (45min from treeline), turn left and easily hike to the summit that on my visit had both cairn and register, with surprisingly few entries.  Oddity is large seashell hidden by the cairn;  who brought and for how long has it been there?  Regardless - don't damage it or take with you, leave for others to enjoy just as you did.

Views on a clear day are phenomenal;  I am usually quite confident in ability to capture summit vistas but in this case they don't do justice, even if I hauled heavier full-frame SLR expecting great light conditions.  There are eye candies everywhere;  Red Deer Lakes below,   Cyclone / Pipestone / Mt. Drummond across and then Pipestone and Red Deer Valleys spreading in north and east direction respectively.  Distinct Molar Mountain is stunning eye catcher, while distant Devon Lakes area peaks evoke both longing and happy memories.  Note gentle talus ridge on north side;  it would appear feasible to descend (or even better ascend!) this way, but I didn't investigate.

Return is the same way and will be much faster;  it should not take more than 4hrs return from Skoki Lodge / similar from Merlin Meadows.  If you are dayhiking add 7-8hrs thus elevating total tally to 11-12 hrs and 1500+ vertical.  My legs were quite sore at the end;  although proving something from fitness perspective I firmly believe backpack is better option. Regardless this is very special place and highly recommended if you can hit it right as I did.

Gallery

PeePipe Post

Inconspicuous Skoki Peak trailhead  (what is the PeePipe??).  Trail starts left of the sign