In late September the yellow larches along this trail are an awesome sight. But there will be hundreds of other people on the trail, because it's Banff, and in the fall this trail is one of the park's feature attractions.
On the day we attempted this hike there was a warning sign at the trailhead stating that a grizzly with 2 cubs had been sighted in the area and hikers were only permitted up the trail in groups of 6 or larger. We only had to wait a few minutes until a group of 4 women from Toronto agreed to hike with us up the trail. Luckily they were also pretty slow.
There's a nice meadow at the top of the pass, which permits views of the peaks around you (the Valley of the 10 Peaks). The trail dips back into the larches for a bit then clears the treeline at the base of Sentinel Pass. We met a Parks Canada dude sitting in a lawn chair at this location, admiring the scenery and keeping an eye out for the bears.
In the flats before Sentinel Pass there are a couple of pretty reflective pools (called Minestimma Lakes). The switchbacks to Sentinel Pass rise 500 ft above the lakes and look about an hour away, with Mt. Temple rising above. My hiking companion had been dragged practically straight off the plane from Montreal to this spot and was pretty pooped, so we called it even and turned back down to Moraine Lake. All in all a great hike.
Current conditions:
Directions:
Access Point: Moraine Lake Parking Lot (follow the lakeshore, right, to the trail marker sign).
ByPosted By: desi_hiker
- Sat Jan 30 19:22:52 EST 2010
Not Rated
CommentDid in September 09.Unfortunately ,larch valley was still green.Nonetheless, great hike for a day.lots of people upto the sentinel pass.some were even going on Mt.Temple.
Could be difficult for someone out of shape.
ByPosted By: Millnut
- Thu Oct 01 23:38:08 EDT 2009
Not Rated
QuestionLarch ValleyIs it going to be a tough climb for someone out of shape
ByPosted By: cec403
- Tue Jun 09 21:15:55 EDT 2009
Not Rated
UpsideNice hike, great views of the valley.
DownsideGet up to the parking lot before 10am as it fills up quickly. Also plan ahead due to restrictions in the area when bears are present.
ByPosted By: marvin
- Wed Oct 15 05:17:40 EDT 2008
Not Rated
CommentDone in Mid September 2008 at -7 C and light flurries. The parking lot is disastrously and the toiletts were very disgusting. But after 200m when going up the hill the mass of tourists is thinning and only a few people are going up to Larch Valley or Eifel Lake. The larchs look really unnatural with there black and silver bark and the yellow-orange needles but it is an impressive view. The way up the end of the valley is very well with some step sections and a lot of switchbacks. In good weather thers should be a great view to the "TEN" and the other mountains. The trail to the pass is through a gravel field. A little bit slippery when wet but easy going. The pass is very small and it is very windy/chilly. We were glad to here that the 4 people restriction was canceld one week before. So we did the trail in that weather without a opportunity of great view but the larchs and the few possible view on the tops has been fantastic enough for such a day. We will try another day in sunny weather
ByPosted By: Hermanater
- Thu Nov 01 14:27:43 EDT 2007
UpsideLoved this hike. It was amazing. I could have sat at the top for hours....
DownsideNone really. Maybe the crowded parking lot at the trailhead.
CommentSee my profile photo.......
Posted By: desi_hiker
Posted By: Millnut
Posted By: cec403
Posted By: Hermanater
