Backpacking into Mosquito Creek campsite in Banff National Park
After our successful first backcountry trip to Laughing Falls with our 1-year-old Juniper, we were keen to get out again! We were able to book into Mosquito Creek - MO5 campground for two nights in September. The weather in the mountains is always unpredictable, but we got lucky with a delightfully warm and sunny fall weekend.
At a Glance:
Trailhead: Mosquito Creek trailhead
Distance: 5 kilometres one-way
Accessibility: Hiking
Amenities: Outhouse and secure food storage
Reservations at: Parks Canada
The hike into MO5 backcountry campground is mellow. Most of the elevation is encountered right away as you start up the trail from the highway. After that, it’s a pretty cruisy walk along the creek all the way into camp.
We arrived at the campground in the mid-afternoon and found a quiet site in the back, tucked behind a large outcrop of rocks. Juniper was happy to play with our hiking poles (maybe not the safest toy, but wow! do toddlers ever love ‘em!) while we set up camp. I honestly don’t think we packed any less this time around. In fact, Matt’s compression sack full of clothes is considerably smaller than Juniper’s, despite him being about ten times her size. We packed lots of layers and extra outfits to make sure she was warm and dry!
This backcountry spot is top-notch for kids. Not only is the hike kid-friendly, but the campsite itself is a natural playground. It’s filled with huge moss-covered boulders which are perfect for climbing, make-believe and playing hide-and-seek! We spent the late afternoon letting Juniper explore and play. She hadn’t really napped, but we decided it was best to just tire her out and get her into the tent for an early bedtime. Being flexible with the sleeping situation is key to enjoying your time in the backcountry with a little one! We do our best to keep a schedule for the most part, but don’t worry too much when it doesn’t line up the way we plan on a certain day.
Pesto pasta was on the menu for dinner! We keep it pretty simple, but like to have good food when camping in the backcountry. Did you know you can get powdered pesto? It’s much better than trying to bring a container or bag of pesto. IYKYK… It can get messy! With a full belly and tired from a day of exploring, Juniper was asleep in the tent by 6:45 p.m.
This campsite has a firepit and wood, so Matt lit a fire and we were joined by the only other camper. If you are struggling with backcountry bookings, I think this is a good option to check out! We were there in September which is not the most in-demand time, but I feel like this spot is less well-known and likely easier to book (even in the summer months!).
The next day we hiked to South Molar Pass - It’s part of the larger Molar Pass loop that I’m super keen to check out in the future. It was stunning! The hike is a steady climb, over about 6.5 kilometers with beautiful views of the valley. When you reach the pass, there is a huge meadow to hang out and enjoy. We took our time, snacked and snapped some photos.
Following the hike, we had a slow evening back at camp. Juni was eager to get into the creek (no water is too cold for her!) and I soaked my tired feet. Similar to the night before, we had an early dinner, put Juniper to bed in the tent and sat by the campfire.
The next morning, we were scheduled to head out. We weren’t in a rush, so we leisurely ate breakfast, packed up and walked out. Arriving back at the car, we were tired (I mean even with a good sleeper, the nights in the tent aren’t the most restful!) but renewed from a weekend in nature. We knew we wanted to start trying for another baby, and that the adventures would have to shift in the coming summers, so this trip felt especially sweet.
Backpacking into the backcountry might not be in our plans in the next few summers, but we are looking forward to trying some new modes of transportation, like canoeing, inspired by this recent post!
