Private, secluded log cabins nestled amongst the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies and adjacent to Jasper National Park and vast, undeveloped Willmore Wilderness.
In order to use the Send to a Friend facility you must be logged in.
Please either log in above, or register if you are not already a friend of Nature & Kind.
Overview
Rocky Mountain Escape offers private, secluded log cabin accommodation and a variety of year-round, nature-oriented activities. The 'Escape cabins are nestled amongst the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, adjacent to Jasper National Park (east backcountry boundary) and vast, undeveloped Willmore Wilderness. We cater to folks looking for a quiet, scenic and non-touristy spot from which to enjoy our mountain environment.
Summer activities include hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, whitewater rafting and fishing. Hiking and/or horseback riding can be enjoyed as day trips from the cabins, or as multi-day adventures into the wilderness. During our snow season (typically mid-November to mid-April), we offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. All activities are guided by expert outdoorsmen, skilled in identifying local flora and fauna.
Rocky Mountain Escape is nestled amongst the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, adjacent to Jasper National Park (east backcountry boundary) and vast, undeveloped Willmore Wilderness. The cabins sit at an elevation of 5,000 ft, with the Hoff Range to our immediate east, the Moosehorn Mountains to our south and Willmore mountains to our north at well over 7,000 ft. Hinton, Alberta, is the nearest point of civilization (70 km to our southeast). Jasper townsite is only 30 km away as the crow flies, but a 2-hr drive (you have to drive around the mountains). Edmonton International is the closest airport, 370 km to our east (about a 4-hr drive).
Dining
Due to our relatively remote location, there is no cooking allowed in the Rocky Mountain Escape cabins. Instead, we serve hearty, wholesome, family-style meals out of a central cook house - complete with fresh goodies baked in our wood cook stove. The cook house is a simple frame structure, and may be considered the "rustic" part of the operation. We're always happy to modify our menu to suit individual guest preferences. Meals included in our packages are a hot breakfast, boxed lunch for the trail and full dinner with complimentary wine. The cabins are stocked with complimentary coffee, teas and hot chocolate and a variety of wholesome snacks are available during the day.
Facilities
Cabins: All bedding and towels are provided in the cabins, and kindling and firewood is stacked on the deck for use in the wood-burning stove. We also stock the cabins with complimentary coffee, teas and hot chocolate, as well as provide scented candles and bubble bath. Lighting in the cabins is provided by a solar panel with battery pack in the basement. Otherwise, there is no "regular" 120V power in the cabins. Batteries for cameras may be re-charged at the cook house when the generator is running. Each cabin has its' own water heater for hot showers, and water pressure is provided by a central pressure tank.
Cook house and area: As we are in a relatively remote location and do not want to encourage Mother Nature's less lovable creatures to investigate a cabin, there is no cooking allowed in our cabins. Instead, we serve hearty, family-style meals out of a central cook house a short distance away from the cabins. The cook house is a simple frame structure and we cook with a wood cook stove. Frequently during the summer, we will cook the evening meal over an open campfire, and guests are welcome to gather around the campfire after dinner to roast marshmellows and share in the day's adventures.
Activities
Summer Activities
Hiking - Guided, interpretive day hikes from the 'Escape cabins are included in our rates. We tailor our hikes to suit individual guest preferences and capabilities. Hikes range in difficulty from quite easy to very challenging. We also collaborate with a certified wilderness guide to offer multi-day treks into Willmore Wilderness.
Horseback riding - Horseback riding is available between the end of May and the end of September. Guests may choose hourly, half-day, full-day or multi-day adventures.
Canoeing - We have a canoe available for guest use, and guests may choose to canoe Rock Lake (gorgeous if the wind is calm) or a chain of lakes in Switzer Park. The 'Escape provides transportation to and from the lakes.
Whitewater rafting - Rafting Class 2 to 4 rivers is done around Grande Cache, about 1-1/2 hr from the 'Escape cabins. Thrilling whitewater is best in June, and the 'Escape will make arrangements and provide transportation for those guests wishing to experience whitewater rafting.
Snow Season Activities
We typically receive our first "sticking" snow by the end of October, and will be cross-country skiing and snowshoeing between mid-November and mid-April. We will groom and track-set between 50 and 70 km of trail for cross-country skiing. We snowshoe the same trails, and can also attempt more difficult trails with the 'shoes. Our snow season is particularly good for seeing wildlife tracks and the Timber Wolf is quite active in our valley during this time.
Guest reviews
Yvonne and Phil Brewer; USA; July, 2002
Wow! What a honeymoon! Tomorrow morning we will be leaving, but it has been an absolutely wonderful experience, enjoying nature together. . .
Robin and Scott Redstone; Ontario; June, 2003
As we drove apprehensively up the narrow muddy trail you know as "Rock Lake Road", we didn't know what to expect. What we found was a hidden treasure where guests are treated like family and stuffed like Thanksgiving Turkeys! Thank you for helping to make our honeymoon so memorable!
Tim and Lindsey Collis; England; September, 2002
Rocky Mountain Escape is one of those places that certainly has the fullness of the earth. Tranquility, peace and refreshment far from the trappings and irritations of modern day living. We have hiked, canoed and learnt amazing things. We can now identify bear poo, elk and moose prints. More importantly, we can now negotiate obstacles such as beaver dams and animal trails through the willow meadows. We even learnt to sleep with the curtains open!
Rooms & Accommodation
Log Cabins (3)
Log Cabins (3)
Sleeps: 2 Cost: from CAD 200-250
Rocky Mountain Escape currently has three log guest cabins, each hand-crafted log, 480 sq ft with an open design (only the bathroom is enclosed), and visually isolated in order to enhance guest privacy. Each cabin is equipped with a queen-sized bed, sofa (1 cabin) or double fold-down futon (2 cabins), a full bath (tub/shower unit with hot and cold running water and indoor plumbing!), a wood burning stove and double propane burner for complimentary coffee/tea/hot chocolate. We provide all bedding and linen, of course, and kindling and firewood is stacked on your deck for use in the stove.
Activities: All of our activities are non-motorized and we practice the No Trace (take nothing but pictures, leaves nothing but footprints) philosophy. We take small groups only and take exceptional care with our fragile ecosystem. We also have the utmost respect for our area's wildlife, and take care not to bother them.
Buildings: Our cabins, contructed of local timber, are high efficiency and take a minimal amount of wood-energy to keep them toasty warm. Solar panels were incorporated into the design, and the large south- and southwest-facing windows were designed to capture passive solar. We are completely off-grid, and we currently run a well-screened generator between 5 and 6 hours per day to keep our refrigeration (food storage) working, supply water pressure to the cabins, connect to the Internet and, of course, make cookie's coffee.
Supplies: All of our food and supplies are purchased locally, and we will frequently collect wild berries for snacks along the trail. Much of our fruit and produce, however, is not produced locally - particularly with our rather harsh winters. When available, however, fruit and vegetables grown in Alberta and British Columbia is purchased.
Waste: All animal food waste is given to our three "bear" dogs on-site. Unfortunately, due to the area's bear population, we are unable to compost our vegetable food waste. Paper waste is recycled and used to start fires in the wood stoves. Cans/bottles are collected and taken to the recylcing depot in Hinton. Septic waste is held in a large septic tank, and the tank is pumped out and hauled to a septic handling system in Hinton 2 to 3 times per year.
Our Trusted Partner's Responsible and Sustainable Travel Policy
We practice a No Trace policy - take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints. All of our activities at Rocky Mountain Escape are non-motorized.
Lighting in the cabins is provided by a solar panel (battery pack in the basement); otherwise, there is no "regular" 120V power in the cabins. I do run a generator 5-6 hours per day to power the water pump for showers, respond to email inquiries, use the mixer,toaster or coffee maker in the kitchen, and to keep my refrigerator and freezer functional.
Any food and/or packaging waste is separated and recycled if possible (meat waste is fed to the dogs, plastic/glass/aluminum bottles are recycled, paper waste is used for fire-starters).
About our Trusted Partner
Rocky Mountain Escape offers private, secluded log cabin accommodation and a variety of year-round, nature-oriented activities (hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, whitewater rafting, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing). The 'Escape cabins are nestled amongst the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, adjacent to Jasper National Park (east backcountry boundary) and vast, undevelopd Willmore Wilderness. We cater to folks looking for a quiet, scenic and non-touristy spot from which to enjoy our mountain environment.
Cozy Winter Escape : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Cozy Winter Escape
Inside Cabin View : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Inside Cabin View
Willmore Wilderness : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Willmore Wilderness
Binocular Ridge in Winter : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Binocular Ridge in Winter
Winter Wonderland Skiing : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Winter Wonderland Skiing
Moosehorn Mountains : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Moosehorn Mountains
Mountain Shadow Trail : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Mountain Shadow Trail
Munn Creek Pass : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Munn Creek Pass
480 sq. ft. hand crafted log cabins : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
480 sq. ft. hand crafted log cabins
Miles and miles of backcountry x-country skiing : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Miles and miles of backcountry x-country skiing
Breathtaking Rock Lake Viewpoint : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Breathtaking Rock Lake Viewpoint
Above Rock Creek looking into Jasper National Park : Rocky Mountain Escape at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Above Rock Creek looking into Jasper National Park
In order to use the Send to a Friend facility you must be logged in.
Please either log in above, or register if you are not already a friend of Nature & Kind.