Grizzly bear highway I like to call it... Beautiful but scary🐻🌺

First things first - the cheating. You ride the Sunshine Village gondola (& the optional Standish Chairlift to a viewing platform at an elevation of about 2400 m). Then the views hit instantly! Larix, Grizzly, and Rock Isle Lakes below, sunshine meadows, and peaks in every direction.

From the viewpoint, look towards your right for 'The Monarch' peak at 2895 m tall, which actually sits just over the border in BC. You’ll know it when you see it. Then, you head down through Sunshine Meadows, along through some trees, pass by Howard Douglas Lake & campsite, more meadows, Citadel Lake, then finally up to Citadel Pass, where you can see the pyramid-like Mount Assiniboine standing high at 3618 metres tall - an absolute beauty!

Just be VERY bear aware in this area, especially through the meadows... I've seen 5 grizzly bears in this area, and even got bluff charged by one. Thankfully, it was just a warning - but I had bear spray at the ready, and reported it when I got back to the village.

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🏔️ TRAIL STATS & DETAILS

• Best Seasons: Summer & Fall

• Distance: 18.5 km

• Trail Type: Out & Back

• Elevation Gain: 766 m

• Max Elevation (altitude): 2370 m

• Bike Friendly?: No

• Dog Friendly?: No pets allowed on gondola

• Trailhead Toilets?: Yes

• Parking: Free (At Gondola Base)

• Parks Pass: Parks Canada Pass Required

🚗Directions to trailhead: Google Maps

🗺️AllTrails route: Citadel Pass (suggestion only)

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✨ TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS - Why you should go

• The Monarch

• Gondola & Chairlift

• Golden Larches in the fall

• Sunshine Meadows wildflowers (summer)

• Big pass payoff with wide-open alpine views

• Citadel Pass and huge views of Mount Assiniboine

• 5 Alpine Lakes (Larix, Grizzly, Rock Isle, Howard Douglas, Citadel)

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🏕️ CAMPING OPTIONS

• Campsite On Trail?: Yes - Howard Douglas Lake (backcountry - Su8)

• Click: Banff Backcountry Camping for more details & booking info.

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🚡 GONDOLA RIDE & STANDISH CHAIRLIFT

The Sunshine Gondola runs from the parking lot up to the Sunshine Village base area. From there, you can take the Standish Express chairlift right up to the viewpoint deck (You need tickets for both rides).

If you want to book the gondola, you can check availability, pricing and more info here: Mount Standish Gondola for a package bundle that includes all of the below:

• Sunshine Gondola ticket to Sunshine Village.

• Standish Chairlift ticket to the 2400 m peak.

• A round-trip shuttle bus (optional for those without a vehicle).

The shuttle takes you from the town of Banff, directly to the Gondola, so you can ride up and wander the alpine lakes. Then a 'home' shuttle bus that takes you back to the town of Banff when you finish your day of exploring.

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✅ TIPS FROM DEV, LINKS & SAFETY

• You can just take the gondola back down to the village if you only want to see check out the viewing platform - you don't need to walk back down through the meadows. Do what every you are more comfortable with.

• High bear activity area! Travelling in groups of 4 is highly recommended. Always keep your distance from wildlife, carry bear spray, travel safely.

• See Parks Canada for the latest National Park trail conditions.