Sep7Berg Lake Trail
Glaciers, roaring falls and turquoise Berg Lake under Mount Robson.
Travel to an earthly paradise in British Columbia’s Purcell Mountains! Known to Columbia Valley locals as Templeton to Shangri-La, this beautiful four day backpacking trek takes you past impressive glaciers, towering peaks, and deep turqouise lake. This trail through the Septet Range will not dissapoint!
The remoteness of this trip means we will truly step away from the crowds and have the place to ourselves!
Show up with only your personal gear and let us take care of the rest! Enjoy coffee served to your tent in the morning, delicious home-made meals at night, and watch the sun set as you kick back and reconnect with nature.
Level of difficulty
4 hiking days · 29 km · 2,350 m of climbing
5 km+400 m
Get ready for a few hours of exciting driving on the backroads to the trailhead in the Templeton Valley.
From here, we will start in a lush British Columbia forest and enter an open, vast valley with expansive views. Here, we will challenge ourselves to navigate the boulder fields; let us watch out footing and awe at the views of Mount Ethelbert.
After the beautiful boulders, we will gain a short, steep section as we climb to the lake. Bask at the beautiful view and rustic campground at the far end of Templeton.
5 km+800 m
Wake up to spectacular views of the glacial lake and enjoy a morning coffee by the lake. A fter our delicious backcountry breakfast, we will prepare for an adventure-filled day! Get ready for an ascent and see firsthand a landscape where glaciers “ recently receded” in geological terms. We will then review and discuss the unique landscape.
Once we have reached our climb up the rocky moraine, we gain the beautiful col that overlooks Shangri-La. We will spend the night in this secluded and beautiful place. From here, we descend into a beautiful sub-alpine meadow with lakes and stunning wildflowers.
When we arrive, we will set up our tents and have some time to explore this beautiful place and learn about the landscape from our guide.
10 km+700 m
Today we truly unplugged and enjoy the pristine mountain beauty. From here, we get to base camp and explore Shangri-La and the area. We will ascend further to admire Mount Ethelbert and the glorious flora and fauna all around.
You and your guide will discuss the terrain, different ways to understand the area, and how best to navigate and understand the landscape.
Enjoy some more tasty backcountry meals and take some time to relax in the evening of summer mountain sunshine.
9 km+450 m
Get ready for a new perspective of the views and this incredible place as we turn around, trace our steps and head out!
Congratulations! On trying something new and stepping into such a wilderness experience!!
Once we reach the vehicles, let us enjoy some cool beverages and snacks on the drive out back to civilization.
Enjoy the thrill of a new challenge in Shangri-La!
This trip is designed for those with an intermediate fitness level. Being self sufficient for 4 days will create a heavy pack. You should have the ability to carry ~40 lbs (18 kg) for up to 6 hours over 700 m elevation gain.
If you have the fitness level, minimal experience is needed for backpacking; let me teach you!
Please note: this trip is in a more remote area. Here you will have a true Wilderness experience, we will make our own bear hangs, dig our own potty holes and get wild!
Taken by our guides and guests on this trip.
Septet Range, Purcell Mountains, BC
Get Outside is based in Canmore, Alberta — 1.25 hours from Calgary International Airport, 5 km from the entrance to Banff National Park. Multi-day trips start with an in-person pre-trip meeting where we check everyone’s gear and hand out group equipment.
Sep7Glaciers, roaring falls and turquoise Berg Lake under Mount Robson.
Jul12Five days of backpacking to the grandeur of Mount Assiniboine.
Aug24