HIKES AT WATERTON LAKES - NATURE VANCOUVER CAMP 2011
DIFFICULTY RATING SYSTEM
A. Easy path or road with minimal elevation change.
B. Trail with possible rocks, roots or deadfall. Moderate gradient, occasional steep but short
sections. Up to 100 m elevation change.
C. Moderate steep gradient. 100 m to 500 m elevation change.
D. Constant steep gradient. 500 m to 1,000 m elevation change.
E.
Any of the above with some scrambling, use of hands or bushwhacking.
The number is the expected duration of each trips in hours.
E.g. a trip gaining 400m and taking six hours is rated C6.
MAPS
NTS(1:50 000) 82H4 Waterton Lakes and 82G1 Sage Creek
GemTrek map “Waterton Lakes National Park” has all details from the above maps on one
sheet and is recommended.
Datum: WGS84 (NAD83), UTM zones 11U and 12U (the boundary roughly following a line
intersecting Carthew Summit and Wild Horse picnic area). Grid eastings beginning with 7 are
from zone 11U, those beginning with 2 are from 12U.
Elevations are generally from “Canadian Rockies Trail Guide”, 8th edition, by Patton and
Robinson. Distances are from GemTrek map.
Campground elevation is about 1325 metres; Co-ordinates: Lat/long 49.1325, -113.8458; Grid
reference 291900 5446500
The townsite is 12km from the campground, 1280m elevation at Upper Waterton Lake.
The turnoff into the park from Highway 6 is 2.7km south from the campground.
The turnoff to Highway 5 (to Cardston) and Highway 6 (Chief Mountain Highway to US border)
is 3.7 from the campground.
TRIPS FROM NEAR CAMPGROUND
Horseshoe Lake, Indian Spring Lakes, Park Line trails **
North of campground and across highway. A network of trails and roads in montane woods and
prairie. Low elevation botany and birding.
A long loop (21.3km) can be done including Horseshoe Basin, Oil Basin, and Park Line trails.
Horseshoe Basin **
Start from end of Bison Paddock access road or from Bellevue Prairie (add 2km and 1 hour
return).
To basin: 8km return, 4-5 hours. Moderate, C5. Gain of 200-400m depending on how far you
go; high point 1570m.
To Lakeview Ridge 18km return, 7-8 hours, gain 570m, high point 1930m. Strenuous, D8.
A narrow and overgrown trail to a low ridge overlooking the lakes and prairies. Good wildflower
show in spring and early summer.
TRIPS STARTING FROM TOWNSITE - LAKES AREA
Bears Hump **
Start: behind Visitor Centre.
2.4km return, 1-1.5 hours, 240m elevation gain (20% grade). Moderate, C2.
A short but steep hike to an open exposed lookout, good for an introduction or overview to the
core area of the park.
Bertha Lake ***
Start: on Cameron Falls Drive, two blocks past Cameron Falls, behind townsite campground.
Add 0.5km each way if starting from Cameron Falls.
To Lower Bertha Falls: 5.8km return, 2-2.5 hours, 150m gain (5.8%). Moderately easy, C3.
To Bertha Lake: 10.4km return, 4.5 hours, 460m gain (8.9%), high point 1755m. Moderate, C5.
Lower Bertha Falls is a pleasant bridal veil waterfall in the woods; Bertha Lake is in a hanging
subalpine valley. A rougher trail runs to the other end of the lake; add 4.6km and 1-1.5 hour
return. This is the busiest day hike in the park.
Lakeshore Trail **
Start: as for Bertha Lake
To Goat Haunt: 13km one way, 4 hours, 115m gain/loss, high point 1395m. Easy but long, B4.
Wanders up and down along western shore of Upper Waterton Lake. Return by boat
recommended.
Crypt Lake ****
Start: Begin with boat shuttle from townsite to Crypt Landing.
17.4km return, 7-8 hours, 675m gain (7.8%), high point 1945m. Strenuous, D8.
Steep hike for 2.4km following Hellroaring Creek past Twin Falls and Burnt Rock Falls. At 8.1km
a ladder leads to a 20 metre tunnel, followed by an exposed ledge with an assist cable for about
300m. Crypt Lake is in a small cirque on the US border. Very important to keep an eye on your
time on the way back so you don't miss the boat.
BOAT TRIPS http://www.watertoncruise.com
Cruise to Goat Haunt, USA: 2 1/4 hour return trip, includes ½ hour layover. Passport required.
Departing 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Adult (18+) $38.00, Youth (13 – 17) $18.00, Child (4 – 12) $12.00
Return sailings from Goat Haunt are 11:25am, 2:25pm, 5:25pm and 8:05pm.
Fares for returning one way hikers from Lakeshore Trail (cash only at Goat Haunt): Adult (18+)
$24.00, Youth (13 – 17) $12.00, Child (4 – 12) $9.00 Crypt Lake shuttle: Depart townsite 9:00 am and 10:00 am, return from Crypt Landing 4:00 pm
and 5:30 pm. 15 minute ride. Adult (13+) $19.00, Child (4 – 12) $9.50.
HIKES AT GOAT HAUNT
Most trails from here are long distance backpacks, but there are a few shorter hikes. None of
these are doable in the half hour stopover so you need to come back on a later sailing.
Goat Haunt Overlook: 3.2km return, 245 m elevation gain. A steep short trail to a lookout
looking north down the lake.
Rainbow Falls: 3.2km return, minimal elevation gain. Easy hike through woods and wetlands.
Lake Janet: 10.6km, 230m gain. A nice subalpine lake.
TRIPS STARTING FROM AKAMINA PARKWAY
Road begins 11km from camp, 1km from town
Carthew-Alderson Trail ****
Start: at Cameron Lake, 16km from townsite, 27km from camp.
To Summit Lake: 8.6km return, 275m gain (6.4%), high point 1935m, 3 hours. Moderate, C3.
To Carthew Summit: 15.8km return, 650m gain (8.2%), high point 2311m, 5-6 hours. Moderately
strenuous, D6.
To Carthew Lakes: 19.6km, 6-7 hours. Drop and regain 125m to lowest lake, add 3.8km return.
Strenuous, D7.
To townsite: 20.1km one way, drop 1015m from Carthew Summit, 7-8 hours. Strenuous, D8.
One of the best hikes in the park, mostly alpine and subalpine. Steep climb through subalpine
forest to Summit Lake, then crosses steep rocky slopes to the Carthew Summit.
If time permits, explore the meadows and the Carthew Lakes in a rocky basin on the other side.
You can hike through to the townsite but need to arrange transportation, and after Alderson
Lake (1875m) the hike is long and uninteresting
Rowe Lakes ****
Start: km 10 on Akamina Parkway, 21.5km from camp.
To Lower Rowe Lake: 8.2km return, 3-4 hours, 250m gain (6.1%). Moderate, C4.
To Rowe Meadow: 10.4km, 4-5 hours, 350m gain (6.7%). Moderate, C5.
To Upper Rowe Lake: 12.8 km, 5-6 hours, 555m gain (8.7%), high point 2165m. Strenuous, C6.
Add 0.4km to include Lower Lake.
Climbs to Lower Lake, a small lake in an amphitheatre, then to Upper Lake (actually a pair of
lakes) in a hanging valley of fir and larch and wildflowers.
Lineham Ridge (Tamarack Trail) ***
Start: Rowe Lakes trail, km 10 on Akamina Parkway.
17.2km return, 6-7 hours, 950m gain (11%), high point 2560m. Strenuous, D8. Add 0.4km to
include Lower Rowe Lake, 2.4 to include Upper Lake.
The Tamarack Trail splits off at Rowe Meadow (km 5.2) and continues to Red Rock Canyon, a
total of 36.4km which requires at least two days. Lineham Ridge is the highest official trail in the
park. Exposed and hard to follow when visibility is poor; not recommended in bad weather.
Lineham Creek **
Start: just east of Lineham Creek bridge, 9.5km on Akamina Parkway, 21.5km from camp.
To Lineham Falls: 8.4km return, 3.5 hours, 375m gain (8.9%), high point 1950m. Moderate, C4.
A fairly steep trail to the base of a 250m waterfall. Good views and meadows.
AKAMINA-KISHINENA PROVINCIAL PARK TRAILS
Start: at km 15 on Akamina Parkway, 26km from camp, 1km from end of road at Cameron Lake.
Forum Lake **
8.8km return, 4-5 hours, 350m gain (8%), high point 2020m. Moderate, C5.
A small lake in rocky basin with larches.
Wall Lake ****
10.4km return, 4-5 hours, 120m gain (2.31%), high point 1780m. Moderate, B5.
A moderately easy hike through woods and avalanche paths to a lake in lush meadows beneath
the walls of Akamina Ridge. There is no trail or route between Forum and Wall Lakes; doing
both in a day is a total of 16.8km.
Akamina Ridge ***
Up to 19km return, 7-8 hours, 905m gain (10% net grade but 785m gain from Wall Lake, about
16%), high point 2565m. Strenuous, D/E8.
Rough to nonexistent route, not recommended in poor visibility or bad weather.
Continue from Wall Lake 2.9km further to Bennett Pass (2250m) then a steep but relatively easy
scramble up the ridge. Return the same way or loop around via Forum Lake, total 18.3km.
NOTE: there is a steep 5m rock band above Forum Lake. If you plan to do a circuit, start from
Forum Lake. It’s safer to go up it early in the day when you’re fresh rather than coming down it
when you’re tired. Also, if you decide the rock band is beyond your capabilities, backtracking to
Forum Lake is much easier and safer than going all the way back around.
TRIPS STARTING FROM RED ROCK PARKWAY
Road begins 7.8km from camp, 2.8 from Visitor Centre
Snowshoe Trail (Bauerman Creek) **
Start: at Red Rock Canyon.
To Snowshoe campsite: 17km return, 4-5 hours, 225m gain (2.6%), high point 1720m.
Moderately strenuous, C5.
To Lost Lake: 20.8km return, gain 500m (4.8%), high point 500m. 5-6 hours. Moderately
strenuous, C6.
To Twin Lakes: 25.2km return, 7-8 hours, 455m gain (3.6%), high point 1950m. Strenuous, C8.
Circuit including Blakiston Creek trail: 24.8km, 7-8 hours. Strenuous, C8.
Mostly a valley bottom route following an old fire road but the Twin Lakes may be worth visiting
if you don't mind a longer but easier hike.
Goat Lake ***
Start: at Red Rock Canyon.
14km return, 5-6 hours, 530m gain (7.6% net but see below), high point 2025m. Strenuous, D6.
Follows Snowshoe Trail for 4.6km and 75m gain, then climbs 455m in 2.4m (19% grade). A lake
in a small hanging valley with extensive alpine meadows.
South Kootenay Pass (Blakiston Creek) *
Start: at Red Rock Canyon.
22.4km return, 6-7 hours, 700m gain (6.3%), high point 2195m. Strenuous, D7.
Some historical interest as the route taken by Thomas Blakiston's party as part of the 1858
Palliser Expedition, but otherwise a long slog before a steep climb to South Kootenay Pass.
Bellevue Prairie ***
Start: km 2.9 on Red Rock Parkway (49.099, -113.894. Grid reference 288800 5442500).
1-2km return or longer; 4.7km one way to end of Bison Paddock Road. Easy, A2.
Unmarked trail runs north from the road and follows an eskerine (post-glacial) complex. An
excellent botany walk through a remnant of the original shortgrass prairie. Also access to
Horseshoe Basin trail - see under Trips near campground.
Crandell Lake *
Two starting locations:
A: From km 7 on Akamina Parkway, 18km from camp. 1.2km one way, 1-1.5 hour, 100m gain
(8.3%). Moderate, B2.
B: From Canyon Camp Road next to Crandell Mountain Campground at km 7.5 on Red Rock
Parkway, 15km from camp. 2.5km one way, 1.5 hours, 150m gain (6%). Moderate, C2.
Crossover: 3.8km, 2-3 hours. Moderate, B3.
A small lake in forest. No views but a good low elevation nature walk.
Horseshoe Basin ** - See under Trips Near Campground
TRIPS STARTING FROM CHIEF MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY (Highway 6)
Sofa Mountain ***
Start: from pullout 7.1km south of park junction, 10.4 from camp. 49.0665, -113.7811. GR
296600 5438600. 7km return, approximately 400m gain. Moderate, C6.
The trail initially wanders along mostly flat prairie before wandering up into a rocky basin and
some low ridges and platforms. Prairie and mountain plants on this hike. No specific goal but
you can explore for some distance as long as you’re comfortable with light rock scrambling.
To summit: 13km return, 950m gain, high point 2515m. Strenuous, E8.
Follow trail onto ledges then a moderately easy rocky scramble to the summit.
Wishbone (Bosporus) Trail *
Start: At Y Camp Road, 1.5km south of park junction, 0.5km from Cardston junction, 4.2km from
camp.
To Y Camp: 2.6km on old road, then overgrown route to Bosporus Strait, 13.2km one way.
Moderately easy, B4.
To Crypt Landing: 14km one way, 4-5 hours, minimal elevation change. Moderately easy, B5.
May be worth doing some of it for low elevation birding and botanising.
Vimy Basin **
Start: as for Wishbone Trail
11.8km one way, 8-9 hours, 820m gain (6.9%), high point 2105m. Strenuous, D8.
Follow Wishbone Trail to km 7.0 on Bosporus Trail, then a steep ascent of 820m in 4.8km to
basin.
Belly River *
Start: at Belly River Campground, 18.8km south of park junction, 21.5km from camp
5.8 km, 2 hours, minimal elevation change. Easy. B2
SCRAMBLES AND ROUGHER STUFF
Sources:
Mike Potter. Ridgewalks in the Canadian Rockies. Turner Valley: Luminous Publications, 2001.
Alan Kane. Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies. Calgary: Rocky Mountain Books, 1999.
Andrew Nugara. More Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies. Surrey: Rocky Mountain Books, 2007.
Grid references and GPS co-ordinates are approximate.
Mount Alderson: Gain 1100m to 2692m summit. Strenuous, E9.
From Carthew Summit, drop 50m to appr. (49.0229, -113.9982) then follow east up reddish slopes.
Exposed scree.
Mount Carthew: Gain 1000m to 2630m summit. Strenuous, E8.
South Ridge: wander straight up ridge from Carthew Summit.
Southwest Ridge: leave trail 10 minutes past Summit Lake (appr. 49.0138, -114.0205) and angle left
through open forest to gain ridge (49.0199, -114.0221). Exposed scree on both approaches.
Ruby Ridge traverse: 9km one way. 850m gain to summit 2415m. Strenuous, E6.
Split off north from Lineham Creek trail at km1.5 (30 minutes or so), where the trail levels out
before dropping back to the creek (GR 7176000 5439700; appr 49.069, -114.0132), and follow up
a band of purple scree. Descend via southeast ridge (49.0887, -113.991) to a point about 0.5km
west of Crandell Lake trailhead, 1.6km from the beginning (49.0737, -113.980, GR 282300
5439900).
Mount Blakiston: 1410m gain to 2910m summit. Very strenuous, E10. Highest point in the park.
Follow Lineham Creek trail to first clearing at bottom of large avalanche slope on right, about 1
hour (appr. 49.0778, -114.0387, GR 716300 5440400) then straight up slopes and gullies.
Advanced scrambling
Mount Lineham: Gain 1100m to 2730m summit. Very strenuous, E8. Follow Rowe Lakes trail to first
avalanche slope on right, about 1 hour (appr. 49.0499, -114.0333, GR716700 5438400) and
straight up. Bushwhacking and exposed scrambling.
Vimy Peak 24.6km return, 1200m gain to summit 2385m. Very strenuous, E9.
An additional 280m rough scramble from Vimy Basin.
Bellevue Hill
Start from Bellevue Prairie trail or from a pullout 1km west on Red Rock Parkway (appr. GR
287700 5442600). 11km return, 765m elevation gain, high point 2112m. Strenuous, E8.
Moderate scramble to summit.
Coppermine - Lost Horse traverse
15km one way, 701m gain, high point 2135m. Strenuous, E8. Need two vehicles.
Start: Coppermine Creek picnic area, west of turnoff to Crandell campground. Traverses west ridge
of Galway to Lost Horse Creek near Red Rock Canyon.