mattmcd

I am heading to Banff National Park with 3 friends from Aug 26-Aug 30, so we have 3 full days of hiking. Looking to do between 10-20km per day and trying to see the best parts of the park, but also some diversity. I have a few hikes in mind, but am also looking for other suggestions:

1) Lake Louise to Plain of Six Glaciers teahouse then to Lake Agnes and the beehives

2) Hiking in from the Lake Annette/Paradise valley trail head then going over Sentinel pass and out through Moraine lake (hitch-hike back to the car from Moraine lake). Wondering if this would be better to do in the opposite direction?

3) The hike up to Caldron Lake

4) Hike up to Iceberg lake

5) Emerald Triangle and Burgess Highline trail

Also am possibly looking for hikes closer to the town of Banff, as I am planning on camping at Two Jack Lakeside campsite as it seems to be the nicest site (even though its at least an hour drive from all the hikes I want to do)

Thanks!!!

mattmcd

Also, we are thinking about doing Sunshine Meadows

DaveS

1) This is a good hike; we did it the other way around first Lake Agnes, Big Beehive, then Plain of Six Glaciers. At Plain of Six Glacier teahouse make sure you cross the little creek and continue on about 1 km. to an even better view of the glacier. My only gripe about this hike is the trails are crowded except between big Beehive and Plain of Six Glaciers. View of lake and Chateau from top of Big Beehive is great though.

2) This is a great hike, mountains, creek, lakes; view from top of Sentinel pass spectacular both directions. We hired a taxi in Lake Louise and dropped our car off at the Paradise Valley trailhead on the way to Moraine Lake. This trail often gets closed due to bear activity, check in advance.

3) We attempted Caldron Lake hike last time we went summer 2011, but there was a sign at the trailhead the bridge ahead was out.

4) Never done

5) Done Emerald Lake and Iceline trail, never the Burgess portion though. Iceline trail is spectacular; we accessed it from near Takakkaw Falls though. Steep initial climb from parking area like a lot of the hikes around.

I find the trails in the immediate Banff area pale compared to those around Lake Louise, Yoho, and further up the Parkway. Take a chance and try calling for a space on the Lake O’Hara shuttle (250) 343-6433. Great hikes out of there, few people. There’s a hike we like in Kootenay Park not far from Banff just off 93 called Stanley Glacier. Go to the end of the main trail then scramble up the moraine to the little hanging valley above. Beautiful with waterfalls cascading from the surrounding cliffs and glacier above.