Tonquin Valley Hike from Portal: Distances, Campgrounds and the Caribou Closure

The route from Portal

The Portal trailhead is at km 12 of Marmot Road, off Highway 93A. From the trailhead (1,480 m) it is 8.7 km (5.4 mi) to Portal campground (1,979 m), then up to Maccarib Pass at 2,205 m and down to Maccarib campground at 19.6 km (12.2 mi). Amethyst campground, by Amethyst Lake under the Ramparts, is 23 km (14.3 mi) from Portal. Parks Canada calls Amethyst the most central and most popular campground in the valley.

With Astoria closed, plan an out-and-back from Portal. The full horseshoe that Parks Canada describes is 43.1 km (26.8 mi) one way between the two trailheads, and it needs Cavell Road open at the far end.

The seven campgrounds

Parks Canada lists seven campgrounds and an Alpine Club of Canada hut (Wates-Gibson), which is booked with the club. Every campground has food lockers. The sites per campground, from Parks Canada's table:

• Portal (#48): 4 sites, 1,979 m
• Maccarib (#47): 8 sites, 2,012 m
• Amethyst (#46): 8 sites, 1,985 m
• Surprise Point (#45): 4 sites, 1,978 m
• Clitheroe (#44): 8 sites, 2,080 m
• Switchback (#43): 8 sites, 2,067 m
• Astoria (#42): 4 sites, 1,690 m, on the closed Astoria side

Season and rules

To protect the Tonquin caribou herd's winter range, all access is prohibited from November 1 through May 15, including Portal Creek Trail. Parks Canada says late summer and fall are the best times, and the valley is known for mud and mosquitoes.

No fires, no dogs and no bikes. Hammocks are not allowed in the Tonquin Valley. Store all food, garbage, toiletries and cooking gear in the lockers. Boil all backcountry water. A backcountry camping permit is mandatory for every overnight trip, and you camp only at the campgrounds on it, on the reserved dates.

Fees and cancelling

The backcountry fee is CA$15.00 per person per night, and the reservation fee is CA$11.50 online or CA$13.50 by phone, once per stay and not refundable. You also need a park entry pass: CA$12.25 per adult per day or CA$83.50 for an adult Discovery Pass, free for youth 17 and under. Parks Canada's reservation terms: cancel at least 3 days before arrival and you get a full refund less the non-refundable reservation fee and a cancellation fee (CA$11.50 online, CA$13.50 by phone). Cancel later than that, but before 2 pm on arrival day, and you also lose the first night's camping fee. Changes can be made until 2 pm on arrival day for a CA$11.50 online fee, and delaying your arrival inside those 3 days costs the first night too.

What PermitSnag does here

Each permit page says whether you can set a PermitSnag alert for it, and links to the agency that sells it.

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