Hiking in Banff? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Engine09 · 05-12-2006, 02:24 PM

I'm reading a bunch of stuff on the internet, trying to decide which trail to hike. There are a lot of options, just looking for the best veiws, highest elevation, etc. Want to take a bunch of pics.

Someone who goes out there a lot could probably give me better info than a tourism info site which makes them all sound pretty decent. What is your favorite trail?

Thanks

Bring_Back_Shantz · 05-12-2006, 02:26 PM

I'd stay away from "Hungy Bear Trail" if I were you. Sure it sounds like fun, but believe me it isn't.

jolinar of malkshor · 05-12-2006, 02:33 PM

If your into hiking Waterton National Park as excellent hikes ranging from 45 minutes to full day to several day hikes.

As for Banff I just moved to Calgary in Oct. Havent had a chance to head out to Banff yet. Let us know when you have done a few.

octothorp · 05-12-2006, 02:36 PM

Two great hikes off of Morraine Lake: Valley of Ten Peaks is long, but easy, with amazing cliff and lake scenery. Or take Larch Valley pass, which also starts at Morraine Lake, and has a fairly steep elevation gain up to some nice alpine meadows, and then another steep climb up to an amazing pass that looks down into Paradise Valley. Even in mid-may, some parts of the path might be deep in snow.

If you're willing to go up to the north end of the park, Parker Ridge is a nice short hike with some nice glacial scenery and fossil formations along the way.

mykalberta · 05-12-2006, 02:48 PM

Landslide Lake - no question, great water, great fishing, tough enough not to be poluted by tourist hikers, yet not so long you need a GPS finder

Great basecamp for 3-4 mini hikes.

I would only go there with people who could easily walk from downtown to Riverside Towers and back withouth getting sore or needing anything more than a 5 minute rest. I made the mistake of once taking a GirlFriend along, i ended up tweaking my back cause she had to transfer most of her pack to mine, 80/40 ended up being 100/20 - tent action was good but I dreaded the hike back

MYK

V · 05-12-2006, 03:01 PM

Does it have to be in Banff? There are some fantastic hikes in K-Country that I know about, but I don't spend a whole lot of time in Banff. Too busy for me.

Engine09 · 05-12-2006, 03:03 PM

Thanks dudes, I'm going to do some searching on all those mentioned.

Are they usually completely clear of snow by June 1st?

habernac · 05-12-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

Thanks dudes, I'm going to do some searching on all those mentioned.

Are they usually completely clear of snow by June 1st?

not all of them. Mid june is usually a safe bet. And watch out for the bears! A friend of mine snapped this photo last night outside Jasper:

V · 05-12-2006, 03:38 PM

Awww, isn't he cute? Just makes you want to go up and pat him on the head.

That is one magnificient creature.

Bobblehead · 05-12-2006, 03:46 PM

A co-worker here is a member of a hiking club that goes out most weekends. He has showed me some of his pictures and the go places that may interest you.

COREHike

Delthefunky · 05-12-2006, 04:44 PM

Assiniboine or Skoki Lodge, both pretty long though.

Ayrahb · 05-12-2006, 04:51 PM

I really like Lake Agnes (from Lake Louise), but I only tried in the summer and went as far as the lake/teahouse. I am probably going to try the full hike (12k) this summer as I haven't gone for a serious hike in more that eight years.

flamingchina · 05-12-2006, 09:29 PM

There are some pretty good hiking books, they'll each give you like 100 odd hikes to do.
I have:
Don't waste your time in the Canadian Rockies (good general selection of trails, misses most of Kananaskis though)
Rockies scramble guide (scrambles obviously, not for beginers)
and
Kananaskis trail guide volume 1. (covers the western half of the kananaskis area)

The low level trails should be clear of snow by the begining of june. (and some of the south facing slope hikes)
The higher ones will be clear anywhere from july, to next summer, depending on the year.
Currently watch the east slopes of the rockies, since the bears just woke up, and are hungry.

Flames_Gimp · 05-13-2006, 01:08 AM

Bring a gun!

Jagger · 05-13-2006, 01:26 AM

Some of the ones already mentioned are really good.

Larch Valley is a small treat. Lot's of wildflowers up there. Further on from Larch is Sentinal Pass which has great views.

Plain of the Six Glaciers (from Lake Louise) is worth the trek. For a shorter hike, Lake Agnes is a fun stretch of the legs giving you nice views over the lake and a teashop by the lake. If you're energetic enough carry on up the Big Beehive and dangle your legs off the edge while admiring the incredible view.

In K-Country, Mount Indefatigable is an awesome hike with some of the most terrific views you will ever see. It is a very steep trail but the effort is definitely worth it.

If you ever go to Waterton try the Crypt Lake hike. It is one of the most memorable day hikes I've ever taken. It has a bit of everything. A boat ride to get to the trailhead, a steady uphill section past some great waterfalls, an area where you have to climb a ladder, crawl through a rock tunnel, hang onto a rope with a huge drop on the other side, then finally arriving at a pristine lake where you can walk to the other side and visit the United States (without passing through customs) Quite the adventure....

V · 05-13-2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

In K-Country, Mount Indefatigable is an awesome hike with some of the most terrific views you will ever see. It is a very steep trail but the effort is definitely worth it.

Easily my favourite climb in K-country. It's a tough grind until you hit that bench at the end of trail, but I don't think it's too bad after that.

I always get a little worried when I'm climbing to the (north?) summit after that smaller col, because the climb is incredibly steep and I always seem to pick a route that leaves me in a pretty vulnerable position. I still haven't found a completely safe easy way up that peak.

But yeah, I've climbed about 25 peaks now and nothing compares to Indy both on the way up along the cliffside before the end of trail, and once you're actually at the top.

Phanuthier · 05-13-2006, 01:50 AM

I did Heart Mountain last week, and it was really great. It's a scramble, and watch out for ticks.

V · 05-13-2006, 01:53 AM

How was the snow and ice? A buddy of mine did Yam a week ago and he said the ice and snow was pretty bad out there.

I'm taking next week off, so I'm hoping to get out to K-Country for the first time this year. I figure Baldy will most likely be clear, but I've done that one often enough. If Heart is more or less clear I just might give it a shot. I still haven't done that one.

Phanuthier · 05-13-2006, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

How was the snow and ice? A buddy of mine did Yam a week ago and he said the ice and snow was pretty bad out there.

I'm taking next week off, so I'm hoping to get out to K-Country for the first time this year. I figure Baldy will most likely be clear, but I've done that one often enough. If Heart is more or less clear I just might give it a shot. I still haven't done that one.

It wasn't a problem, but it was really cold and windy. Maybe suggest gloves? But snow/ice wasn't a problem.

Say, on that topic, anything you could suggest for hiking trails (K, Banff, ect) would be great. I'm open ears, perferably ones that arn't too popular (ie. Lake Louis). Some easy scrambles are nice too (ie. Heart)

V · 05-13-2006, 02:09 AM

If you want something that isn't very popular, do Mount Buller. It's in K-Country, and I've only been there once, but I've heard that very few people ever climb it. It's definitely a workout, though. Mt. Rae is also a workout, since you start above the treeline, and it's still a complete climb. Not a lot of air up there.

Sparrowhawk is great, as is Yamnuska. If you haven't done Indefatiguable, you have to. Don't do it in August, though, because that's buffalo berry season, and a mother grizzly likes to hang around Indy, forcing the rangers to close the trail down.

For a nice 4 day trip, there's a really cool loop you can do that involves Three Aisle Lake. It's not very difficult for the most part, but it's a fantastic adventure, if you've got 4 days. There's something about camping only with stuff that you can carry on your back that appeals to me. The beer gets heavy after a while, though. I did this trip 10 years ago, and can't remember if the trail has a name, but I do remember that it was a blast.

Pick up the Rockies scramble guide that flamingchina was talking about. Very good book, and gives you all the information you should need before you set out on your hike.

Ribbon Falls is a nice one as well if you're taking the wife or gf.

It is my goal in life to climb Kilimanjaro before I'm 40 years old. It's a bit of a drive to get there, though. Highest scramble in the world.

Hey, if you want to see a few different scrambles and some trip reports, visit my buddy's website. He's an avid outdoors guy.

www.fresho2.com

Lots of good stuff in there. The site doesn't look good with Firefox. Open it with IE.