Tonquin Valley Backpacking From The Wates Gibson Hut
by Starry Summit Mountain Adventures
There are few more storied or scenic valleys in Jasper National Park than the Tonquin. Postcard perfect views of The Ramparts (an impressive range of quartzite mountains), Amethyst Lakes, and not to mention glaciers give visitors an excellent look at what the Canadian Rockies has to offer. The Tonquin Valley is also home to a wide array of wildlife including bears, mountain goats, and one of the few remaining herd of woodland caribou in the Rockies.
This adventure is based out of the historic Wates-Gibson Hut. Constructed in 1959 by the Alpine Club of Canada, the Wates-Gibson Hut is a great base for exploring the Tonquin Valley in both summer and winter. The hut, a large wood cabin, is fully equipped with a well-stocked kitchen, sleeping pads, and wood stove that lets us keep our pack weight low. From the hut we have many options for scenic day-trips to get the most out of the Tonquin. This trip is normally run as a traverse heading into the hut via the Astoria River Trail and exiting via a long but scenic day down Portal Creek.
