Difficulty: Easy; Total time (return trip): 1.5 hours; Johnston Canyon Hike In Winter. Difficulty Level: Moderate. This 5.8 km out and back trail is a great family-friendly hike that offers amazing larch and lake views with minimal elevation gain. This out-and-back trail is 10.9 km (6.8 mi) long and takes about 4 hours to complete — plenty of time to see the beautiful backcountry and admire the Valley of the Ten Peaks that overlook Moraine … Not too steep but still a lot of uphill with some being on exposed and rocky terrain. A giant grizzly bear crossed our path. The area around Moraine Lake is a high-risk grizzly bear area and you aren’t allowed to hike the trails with less than four people and without bear spray. Taylor Lake. Difficulty: Easy. Something truly special. It was during my third visit to the Canadian Rockies that I finally got to experience a mountain autumn. At the junction, follow the trail to the left. Difficulty: Easy hike The perfect time to embark on some of the best hikes in Banff National Park. Consolation Lakes If you want to hike around Moraine Lake but are looking for a hike that is a little more low-key, Consolation Lakes is perfect. For day hikes, the Cotopaxi Luzon is an awesome backpack choice and is lightweight and will pack down easily when you’re not using it. This is one of the most phenomenal hikes in the Lake Louise area, Larch Valley to Sentinal Pass is one of my personal favourites. After getting over the awe-inducing beauty of Moraine Lake (if that’s even possible), look for the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass trail, which will take you on a hike through sweeping larch meadows and past rocky spires. For a good budget option, check out the HI Lake Louise, a warm and friendly hostel in Lake Louise village which is a great place to meet other travelers (and hiking buddies). Your best option if price isn’t an issue would be to stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge, a luxury lodge right on the lake, and only a few minutes from the trailhead. It should come as no surprise that the most popular hiking trail during larch season is Larch Valley at Moraine Lake. Try to show me a more beautiful lake in the world than Moraine, I dare ya. I highly recommend taking a GRAYL Geopress Water Purifier to filter water from the river, this saves you having to carry a lot of water and is better for the environment. Sentinel Pass is the quintessential Canadian Rockies hike. The … Difficulty: Easy hike For this one, we’d recommend having your phone handy as it is a bit tough to navigate, but don’t let this scare you away! Like the photography? A few hardy chipmunks and ground squirrels hung around hoping for food, sheltering under the rocks. During our visit, the weather was not on our side as a light, but steady rainfall kept us wet throughout our hike. Here’s everything you need to know about Larch Valley: Larch Valley Hike Quick Stats: Distance: 4.3km each way; Elevation Gain: 535m; Difficulty: Easy; Time: 1-2 hours each way; The Hike from Moraine Lake to Larch Valley. The hike begins just past Moraine Lake Lodge. Larch Valley golden autumn hike 6 Mins Read Key Powers Distance: 4.3 km (2.67 mi)Elevation Gain: 535 m (1755 ft)Time: 3.5 – 4 hoursDifficulty: Moderately challengingBest Time to… I never even realized that there were any conifers (trees with needles instead of leaves) that were deciduous. ... As I mentioned earlier, the Larch Valley hike … The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until August. Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass The hike into Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass is a must for any hiker wanting to have an experience that closely resembles the backcountry of Banff National Park. If you want to avoid crowds and recreate responsibly, here's a list of PNW hikes to check out this year. Starting the first week of September, this hike will be available 4x (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) a week during larch … Larch Valley golden autumn hike 6 Mins Read Key Powers Distance: 4.3 km (2.67 mi)Elevation Gain: 535 m (1755 ft)Time: 3.5 – 4 hoursDifficulty: Moderately challengingBest Time to… It was the first snow I had experienced since living in London and the first time I have ever hiked in the snow so I may have been ridiculously excited. Soon we were back at Moraine Lake where we farewelled the Germans and took one more glimpse at the most brilliant lake of blue I have ever seen. Hi, I'm Katie, a crazy cat lady and world traveler. Address: Improvement District No. While much of Alberta’s outdoors have been reopened to visitors, it is recommended to plan ahead, check local restrictions and current public health measures , and avoid any areas that may be too crowded. 7.5 miles/12 km return to the top of Sentinel Pass. The Larch trees transform into a striking yellow color which adds a … The path soon opens up to an open area surrounded by boulders and mountain peaks. Additionally, many states have quarantine orders for visitors from out of state. Thank you for sharing. Backed by the snow-dusted and spectacular Ten Peaks, it looked like exactly the spell-binding scenery I was after. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 4.6 km one way (this gets you all the way through the valley, it’s 3km to the start of the valley) Elevation: 544 metres (to the very end of the valley) 380m to the start of the valley Time needed: 3-4 hours to appreciate it. It was my brother Robbie’s first time in the Rockies so we took the time to climb the rock pile for the iconic view of gorgeous Moraine Lake first, passing cute pikas and fat ground squirrels along the way. Distance: 2.56km roundtrip. There are so many things to do in Banff National Park in fall. And the best fall hike in Banff National Park? The hike to Eiffel Lake begins on the eastern shoreline of Moraine Lake as part of the Larch Valley trail. The Sunshine Coast, BC: Canada’s Most Underrated Destination? The trail stats. We did this hike during larch season and started at the Mount Shark Trailhead and hiked to the Naiset Huts in one day. It took us about 6 hours, at a fast pace, to reach the huts, about 25 km in. Thanks so lot for your convene. The Larch Valley hike near Lake Louise has been something Mike and I have been talking about doing for years, so this fall we finally decided to make it happen. I had always been in summer in the past which is a fantastic time of year for hiking and camping, but I was very much looking forward to discovering the mountains when the air was cooler and the trees were lit up with their golden coats. Continuing through the subalpine, you will pass by the Minnestimma alpine lakes. Landscape. Hiking poles are helpful, especially if it’s snowy. Once in the valley, the trees thin and the walking becomes gentler as the trail makes its way past the Minnestimma Lakes and to the base of very imposing Sentinel Pass. is an awesome backpack choice and is lightweight and will pack down easily when you’re not using it. Guests of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise can book onto our Moraine Lake Shuttle (bookable through the Concierge) and hike up to the famed golden trail with minimal fuss. A bear, some magical golden trees, snow, and one of the world’s most beautiful lakes definitely makes for a great hike. It was during my third visit to the Canadian Rockies that I finally got to experience a mountain autumn. If you’ve woken up at 5:00 am to see Moraine Lake, but crave a hike with a bit more challenge than the rockpile, Larch Valley is the way to go. Not too steep but still a lot of uphill with some being on exposed and rocky terrain. The hike follows a similar route at the Eiffel Lakes hike but departs at the fork and up into the Larch Valley. Climb 360 metres … ). Learn how your comment data is processed. Ptarmigan Cirque is a short and sweet larch hike in Kananaskis that the whole family can enjoy. Elevation Gain: 202m. Updated: January 06, 2016. Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. Description: The trail to Eiffel Lake splits off from the Larch Valley trail and takes you high along the side of the valley to panoramic views overlooking Eiffel Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. … As we headed back into the tree line the snow turned into light sleet then ceased altogether, much to our relief. The Sentinel Pass Hike and Larch Valley trail in the Moraine Lake/Lake Louise area of the park. The best place to really experience the true beauty of the Banff fall colors. Many stop their hike at Larch Valley since the view from valley is outstanding as well. Why we love this Lake Louise hike - it has it all: mountains, glaciers, … Difficulty: Easy Time Roundtrip: 40-60 minutes Elevation Gain: 0 m (0 ft) CONSOLATION LAKES This hike leads into the heart of Consolation Valley; a rewarding destination with views of ... For the more ambitious hiker, after reaching Larch Valley you can hike further up to Sentinel Pass. A note: the Lake Louise/Moraine Lake area frequently has grizzly bear problems, so Parcs Canada often issues requirements that hikers in the area must travel in groups of four or more. Banff is ground zero for larch viewing in Alberta, and the aptly named Larch Valley is ground zero of ground zero. 4 to 5 hour round trip. Excitement coursed through me for the rest of the hike. Experience. The ground was now covered with a patchy layer of white and the lonely lake reflected the dark clouds above. The German couple were behind us and I heard a loud gasp. From Moraine Lake Lodge, hike into a unique larch forest high above Moraine Lake to take in breathtaking views of Ten Peaks. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You’ll hike up a whole lot of switchbacks, but the view at the top … The Big Combo hike. This should be considered before heading up. Beginning from the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake, the trail climbs, really climbs, up 10 switchbacks to Larch Valley on a well maintained trail. The hike from Moraine Lake to Larch Valley is … 5. Saddleback Pass is a very popular alternative to Larch Valley, making it difficult to get great images of larches with all the other hikers around. An upper valley behind the lake is full of larch (Tamarak) trees. Thanks for sharing information about it. If you only have a day to see the larches in Alberta, this is the one hike I would recommend. This climb gains roughly 450 meters in elevation and takes around 1.5 hours. At under 800 meters of gain in 5.5 km up it’s not crazy steep. Address: Improvement District No. There is an exposed area at the end of the hike, where the trail … Hike: Larch Valley & Sentinal Pass Read More » Do you agree that it is the best fall hike in Banff National Park? It was extremely large and slow-moving and I was very thankful that he didn’t give us a second look. As Marlena stated; “I can see how bears would love it here”. Difficulty of the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass Trail I would rate it as Intermediate. Length: 10.9 k.m. At the top of Sentinel Pass, we were truly exposed to the inclement weather so we didn’t linger long. The trail is rated as difficult, but the reward is worth the work! I will never get sick of this view. Larch Valley and Valley of the Ten Peaks: The Most Beautiful Hiking Trail in Autumn. It’s lush green forest with large trees, pretty wildflowers, and crystal clear streams. Make sure you don’t miss this Moraine Lake hike in fall! During the short mountain fall, the needles of the larch trees in Larch Valley above Moraine Lake turn a gorgeous golden color, something I have never seen before. Located just across the street from Pocaterra you’ll have to get here early to get parking on weekends. Larch Valley Distance: 8.6 kilometers (5.4 miles) return Difficulty: Moderate / Difficult Time: 3-4 hours round trip Elevation Gain: 520 meters (1706 feet) Located right outside your doorstep, Larch Valley is for the more ambitious hiker. The trail underfoot was rocky and steep but the exertion of hiking warmed us up. Safety Wing is my go-to and they are cheap and easy to claim with – it also auto-renews every month unless you turn it off so you don’t have to think about it. Ptarmigan Cirque. … The trailhead of this hike begins at the very busy, very popular Moraine Lake parking lot, just a short wander up the path from the lodge. Where to Stay: Moraine Lake Lodge (Upscale) Lake Louise Alpine Centre (Budget) You can check out the Banff and Lake Louise, Your best option if price isn’t an issue would be to stay at the, Another luxury lodge nearby that would also make a great base if you were wanting to treat yourself is the world-famous. For maps, detailed route finding and trail descriptions, visit a Parks Canada Visitor Centre or purchase a hiking guide book and topographical map. If you’ve woken up at 5:00 am to see Moraine Lake, but crave a hike with a bit more challenge than the rockpile, Larch Valley is … You’ll gain beautiful views of Moraine Lake, groves of golden larch trees, and the Valley of Ten Peaks. Difficulty: Difficult. The trees were alight with gold and a sparkling river shone in the sunlight in a lush green meadow. I was nervous at first but quickly noted that the bear was not interested in us and was intent on just crossing the trail to head up the wooded mountain on the other side. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Log bridge in Larch Valley- a location of pivotal significance in my childhood, Mount Temple rises above Minnestimma Lake, Climbing towards Sentinel Pass above Minnestimma Lake, Looking down into Paradise Valley from Sentinel Pass, Minnestimma Lakes and Larch Valley below the Ten Peaks. The trail follows the same course as the Larch Valley trail for the first 2.4km (1.5mi). Difficulty: If you hike up from Paradise Valley Trail to Saddleback Pass, you’ll need to climb 122m of elevation for every 1km you hike. Consider hiking Duncan Knob on Massanutten for those classic Shenandoah Valley views instead. ... Larch Valley hiking trail. It is much longer than the Rockpile hike but also worth the extra effort. Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. Pause again in the alpine meadow before the pleasant jaunt back to the lake. 8. Oh course, bears were on our mind with all the warnings (rightfully so) and being on the trail so early. Your email address will not be published. Level of Difficulty: … Difficulty: Easy Hike. The Sentinel Pass Hike and Larch Valley trail in the Moraine Lake/Lake Louise area of the park. Best time to arrive Location: Highwood Pass, Kananaskis Provincial Park. And what a stunning sight they were. In late September the yellow larches along this trail are an awesome sight. Trying to find a hike in the American West? This hike has an extremely special place in my heart: at age 10, my parents dragged me up this trail to Larch Valley on what, looking back, I consider to be my first true hike. A steep exposed mountainside was before us with a faint trail through the rocks up to Sentinel Pass. In autumn, larch tree needles … The Lake Louise area is a special place any time of year, but it shines just a little brighter when the larch trees are decked out in their fall colours. Hiking Shenandoah has covered thousands of miles of trails in Washington's North Cascades, the California coast, and the red rock of the Southwest. Another luxury lodge nearby that would also make a great base if you were wanting to treat yourself is the world-famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, located by the lake of the same name. The trailhead for Sentinel Pass is located along the northwest shore of Moraine Lake and follows the Larch Valley Trail as it ascends through trees above the lake’s northwestern shore. It seemed much faster descending the switchbacks back down to Moraine Lake than it had been on the way up. My brother was scheduled to visit me in the tiny village of Field in Yoho National Park, where I was living for six weeks, in the middle of September. Getting to the Trailhead. Check out the blog's Instagram to see more and get trip ideas. Level of Difficulty: Difficult Trailhead: Vista Lake viewpoint on Highway 93 South, 8 km south of Castle Junction. The long uphill trek is a pleasant experience going down, and soon you are back at the wonderful Moraine Lake. Hiking Trail Highlights Larch Valley/Shutterstock COVID-19 still presents a very real and dangerous threat to public health. Here are some suggestions in Virginia. Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley Trail - Alberta, Canada | AllTrails We stopped briefly to eat our packed lunches by a still lake before setting off again to tackle the last section of the Sentinel Pass hike. This classic larch hike is highly visited, and for good reason. Soon there was no sign that it had snowed at all as we began the descent back into the forest, away from the unforgiving landscapes of Sentinel Pass and down into Larch Valley. Larch Valley Trail. Highest … And the best fall hike in Banff National Park? I had always been in summer in the past which is a fantastic time of year for hiking and camping, but I was very much looking forward to discovering the mountains when the air was cooler and the trees were lit up with their golden coats. It was just before we reached Larch Valley that we had a not wholly unexpected but still surprising encounter. Learn about responsible and sustainable ways to enjoy the outdoors. Take some trekking poles to help with the downhill – your knees will thank you! It is absolutely one of the best Banff hikes, but particularly in fall. Difficulty. Moraine Lake is a spectacular, turquoise, glacial lake 14 kilometres outside the Village of Lake Louise and can easily be reached by the Roam public transport system … The hike itself is pretty challenging, but it’s totally rewarding – if you can stay on the path! Larch Valley. Revisiting Larch Valley, I found the area to be even more beautiful than I remembered, helping me understand how this one place ended up being the hike that launched a thousand hikes. This heavily trafficked trail is another one that’s practically lined with larch trees. The Larch Valley Trail also starts from Moraine Lake and is well worth the drive from Canmore. Larch Valley is located up above Moraine Lake in the hamlet of Lake Louise, located in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. For the first two kilometers, the trail takes you up Difficulty: Difficult. hiking. Wondering where you can hike while social distancing during the pandemic? Elevation: 2610 m. Height Gain: 761 m. Round Trip: 13.5 km. Most of the elevation gain comes at the very beginning as you climb seemingly neverending Switchbacks from Moraine Lake to Larch Valley. This hike can be easily decreased in difficulty by shortening the distance. Difficulty: Moderate. The Valley of the Ten Peaks is a view that has become inspiration for many painters and artists. difficult. Wondering what is the best fall hike in Banff National Park? The snow began to fall harder as we were heading down and soon the rocky landscape was completely blanketed in fresh snow. I wanted to get out here in the fall to see the colours of the trees as the season changed. The Larch Valley hike starting from Moraine Lake is one of the most popular fall hikes in Banff National Park. To reach the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass trailhead, drive to the Moraine Lake car park, 12 km from Lake Louise Village, then it is a few minutes’ walk along the lakeshore. The larches in Larch Valley start turning yellow in the first couple of weeks of September each year. The hike to Mt. Originally from New Zealand, I have been living abroad and travelling the world for over 16 years. 9, AB. It was even was featured on the backside of the twenty dollar bill of the 1969 and 1979 issues and there is no better spot to view the valley … Hike Type: Out and back, day-hike. Moraine Lake is a spectacular, turquoise, glacial lake 14 kilometres outside the Village of Lake Louise and can easily be reached by the Roam public transport system from the village or by bus from Banff. Out of the protection of the forest and into a windy afternoon that was rapidly clouding over, we were freezing. 6.3 km one way, 585 m elevation gain. Especially in fall when the leaves of the spruce color the valley in gold, the trail attracts both nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Slowly we started to see the brilliant yellow larches amongst the deep green forest beside the trail as we got closer to Larch Valley. So Larch Valley is crazy busy and you’re not ready to hike single file through the mountains – don’t worry, we’ve got you. Level of difficulty: moderate This is known as the granddaddy of all of larch hikes during Fall in the Canadian Rockies. Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult hike. This is a user-friendly hike that most people can do. The impossibly scenic Larch Valley backed by ten snow-covered peaks stretched out before us. Really a great addition. While I had hiked trails earlier in my life and had just earlier that day hiked the flat … Hiking time: 4.5 to 5.5 hour round trip Elevation gain: 725 m Trailhead: Begin just beyond the Moraine Lake Lodge. There are so many, My brother was scheduled to visit me in the tiny village of Field in Yoho National Park, where. Sheol Valley Larch Hike. And as I would come to find out, the best time to visit Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies, in general, is during fall. How Hard is the Larch Valley Hike AllTrails rates Sentinel Pass via the Larch Valley Hike as a hard hike, but I believe both Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass are moderate hikes. If you aren’t a big hiker, I highly recommend just doing the Larch Valley hike as this is shorter at 8.6km/5.3 miles return and that is the best place for the fall colors. The Larch Valley Trail is a popular hiking adventure leading to views of the Valley of Ten Peaks, at an elevation of 2435 metres, in Banff National Park.The trail of mountains and meadows is especially popular in the autumn season when the fall colors of yellow and red decorate the valley and hiking trail. Round Trip: 5:32 hrs. to make it easier to hydrate while you are hiking and. Technique . There are a number of hikes that start at Moraine Lake but the best one to do in fall is absolutely the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass hike. The solution to your larch tree crowding problem is to keep on hiking! The route is popular because of the Upper and Lower Falls as well as the several minor falls along the way. Difficulty: Easy; Time: 1-2 hours each way; The Hike from Moraine Lake to Larch Valley. Stamina. Sunshine Meadows is just as breathtakingly beautiful. Cell service is not reliable. The Larch Valley hike is a moderately difficult trail that begins with a steep climb up to the Larch Valley. The girl was terrified but her boyfriend already had the camera out and was taking as many pictures as he possibly could. It’s fairly challenging, hugely popular, and offers some of the most stunning natural scenery in Canada. You’ll get the occasional glimpse of Moraine Lake behind you as you hike, but for the most part, the hike is hidden in the trees. At an average 12% grade, it’s a good workout, but it’s definitely manageable for most hikers. Hiking time: Approximately 5-6 hours; Distance: 9-11km roundtrip; Elevation … Luckily I had the spray and we didn’t have to wait long at the trailhead before a couple of German backpackers wandered up and agreed to join us. The solution to your larch tree crowding problem is to keep on hiking! difficulty: easy hike; roundtrip distance: 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) elevation gain: 60 meters (197 feet) roundtrip average time: 2 hours; ... Continue along the Larch Valley trail to the creek and look for Carins that will keep you left along the north shore of the creek. Pack a raincoat in case it rains, and if you are hiking in spring or autumn and are starting early or finishing late, wear a lightweight but cozy thermal underlayer top. Time: 3.5-4 hours roundtrip for Larch Valley; 4.5-5.5 hours roundtrip for Sentinel Pass. 5. I wanted to get out here in the fall to see the colours of the trees as the season changed. Sheol Valley Larch Hike. Larch Valley Trail (Moderate Moraine Lake Hikes) Distance: 8.6 kilometers (5.4 miles) return Difficulty: Moderate / Difficult Time: 3-4 hours round trip Elevation Gain: 520 meters (1706 feet) As great as the Saddleback Pass hike is for larch tree viewing, the one knock on it is the crowds. Maybe… OK I was. Length: 4.3 km one way Hiking time: 3.5 to 4 hour round trip Elevation gain: 535 m At the junction, take the trail to the left (there is a sign, don't worry). This is a stunning hike to do in fall. The hike from Moraine Lake to Larch Valley is uneventful and almost entirely made up of switchbacks. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 4.6km one way (this gets you all the way through the valley, it’s 3km to the start of the valley) Unique Larch forest high above Moraine Lake you switchback your way up beautiful views of Moraine Lake to Valley. Hike the downhill direction, you will Pass by the Minnestimma alpine lakes you liked this post check. 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