This may have to be most of my favourite places in all of Jasper and it’s for a variety of reasons. It's the cutest little place to for a quick rip in the canoe and lunch at the campground, a cheeky overnight stay in the backcountry (perfect for families or backcountry first timers) or in the winter snowshoeing or skiing their for lunch is always fun.
We went to meet our friend Hailey who was coming back from a family trip to Coronet Creek. The three of us paddled out (I was fishing in the middle not paddling) and just chilling and next minute I actually catch a pretty decent rainbow trout when I was least expecting it. We kept it for dinner and shared it with everyone at the campground. The family we were hanging out with at the campground said that the day before some fishermen shared their fish with them as well.
In case the weather is bad the little hut is there to hide out in. The 4km canoe only takes 1 hour at a casual pace so you have lots of time to enjoy the Island.
On the way out I climbed the rock that is in the middle of the inlet into the campground. My friend Hailey took a photo on her camera so I haven’t seen it yet.
Once winter comes Hidden Cove really comes alive. Cross country skiing out there to have lunch with your friends. Making a fire in the cabin and roasting marshmallows and drinking fireball and hot chocolate. The ski only takes about an hour at a chill pace as well.
I’ve walked out just in boots before, the trail can be busy so it can be possible if there wasn’t snow for a few days and it's been packed down. We went as an after-work dinner hike so there was no one else out there and the trail was packed down.
My favourite time was a full moon ski. The sun had set on the drive out to Maligne Lake and about -12C when we started to ski. Once getting to the cabin we had a beer and snacks and lit the fire. On the ski out we didn’t even need our headlamps because the moon was so bright on the snow we could see perfectly well.
I’ve been out to Hidden Cove 4 times and every experience has been completely different and so much fun.
For more information about paddling and camping at Hidden Cove check out this additional information from Parks Canada. For any reservations in Jasper National Park head to the reservations system to check for availability.