Caldron Lake

16 kms
7hours
difficult
Hiking
Summer
Banff, AB

Anonymous

Elevation Gain: 685 m (2,247 ft) going in; 240 m (1,115 ft) coming out

It is a steep downhill for about 30 to forty minutes down to the lake. Stay on the trail going left at the bottom. Do not go right down to the lake itself. Proceed on the rough trail in the woods beside the flats to where the trail comes out onto the flats about fifteen minute past where you came down the hill to the lake. Make a diagonal path toward the narrows accross the flats stay on the left side of the narrows along a narrow path beside the creek on your right. At the other side of the narrows it opens up, you make a path toward the double falls until you arrive at the next narrows.

You will see a bridge about 200 yards up the creek. This is the first and last time you need to cross the creek until the trip back. Once accross the bridge head right towards the Moraine. The trail goes right up the Moraine to the top of the ridge. Watch for the trail branching just at the top. if you take the branch to the left you will end up at the Weather Station & back country Alpine Hut. If you take the trail branch that heads up and to the right you are on the trail to Caldron Lake. Just stay on the ridge trail until you reach the highest spot where lyou will see the narrow exposed trail that takes you over to the Caldron Lake side.

Follow the trail down about 200 yards or so loosing altitude until you reach the Lake. The Lake is not visible on the entire hike until you are about a 100 yards or so from it.

This is a fabulous Rocky Mountain hike with views all around the whole time. It is a steep climb both to and from the Lake but it is a superb view of the Rockies, Glacier Lakes and Glaciers the whole way.

Current conditions:

Directions:

This trail starts from the Peyto Lake lookout off the Icefield Parkway

4.9K North of Num-ti-jah Lodge. Park at the Peyto Lake lookout parking lot. Go up the lookout trail with the masses and view this beautiful lake. Go past the second lookout platform about 50 feet to the trailhead.