Only the first mile is tricky to navigate. So, there is your target!!! So, had a hard time (and wet time :P) during our hike. Past the first few viewpoints, thereâs very little point to continuing to the true end of the trail. Upon digging, we stumbled upon this page that had good info about the hike. Starting at Lake Louise, a friend and I decided to drive up the Icefields Parkway which goes through Banff National Park into Jasper National Park. You will clearly see 2 tracks at most of places since this trail was used by the US Army in 1930’s. Then you will find yourself among a number of tiny water streams. At the lake, you will see Mount Andromeda to the immediate right of the glacier and a slight protrusion of Mount Athabasca. Stunning waterfalls, erratics, and fossils are dotted along the way for your visual pleasure. - Out-and-Back Trail. Luckily you can still enjoy everything the area has to offer if you're on a budget.... Lake Louise has risen to the ranks of a legendary ski resort for more than just its views alone. Its clearly not the place you can cross. But we had a long drive the previous day due to the tight schedule. After crossing the woods, its all about walking through the open canyon with huge mountains around. There is a niche for parking right before an old abandoned bridge. Like I said, its a very popular in this area and too crowded for our taste. Just the prior week, we were driving along the Dempster highway and were eager to encounter bears and foxes from the safety of our car. The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, approximately 120 km northwest of the town of Banff, and can be accessed from the Icefields Parkway. . Considering all the above, we still desperately wanted to get as close as we can to the glacier.
Soon, our situation changed unpredictably. Wear water proof hiking boots – Our shoes were not water proof. It is located within Banff National Park, so you will require a park pass. It is also time to take out your hiking pole since you will be doing a little bit of climbing. Photography/Video gears – views are unspeakably stunning there. Follow this trail along past waterfalls and morraines until you reach the glacier and the lake below. Clouds were forming and moving towards us. Bear spray & bear bell – This is bear country, be cautious. I have to say, its adventurous and fun to cross as well. This time we wanted to see a Glacier up close on our own. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. It's a popular route for hiking in the Columbia Icefield area featuring scenic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier and a few beautiful waterfalls. Views around the lake include Wapta Icefield, Bow Glacier, and Crowfoot Glacier. Required fields are marked *. Saskatchewan Glacier and Mt. Parker Ridge Trail, Banff Picture: Saskatchewan Glacier - Check out Tripadvisor members' 25,818 candid photos and videos. Saskatchewan (3342 m). So, we drove to the closest campground – Rampart creek campground to stay for the night. Well, the first one only takes you closer to the glacier but not all the way if you want to hike on it. Next day, we left our trailer in the campground and took our Nimo. The short gravel road from the Icefield parkway is very narrow and steep. The views on this hike start within metres of the trailhead Looking out at the Saskatchewan Glacier â the source of the North Saskatchewan River Another in your face mountain view just down from the glacier Wilcox Pass â An outstanding 8 km round-trip hike This is the place where river water comes out of the valley. Parks Canada rates the Parker Ridge hike as easy, with a 2.5-hour round trip time. It looks closer to our eyes than it really is. Don't attempt to access the route from the west parking area near the centre of big bend, it turns into a long miserable bushwhack. Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier & Bow Glacier Falls Hike. Although, we are not hardcore back country hikers, we like to hike through less traveled trails. Soon, you will see a low level stream branch where you can cross (provided it din’t rain). This first route is absolutely beautiful but you cannot get as close to the Saskatchewan Glacier due to an impassable south lateral moraine. Checked out the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River and I saw some impressive scenery. From here there are two ways to the Glacier. But trust me, we are still atleast 3.5 kms away. Of Columbia Icefield get more cloudy, dark and cold maps visualization and sharing is quite,! Columbia via the Saskatchewan Glacier view hosted by travelblog.org are many lookouts all along the way if see... Creek campground to stay for the night water proof hiking boots – shoes. 195 km from Lake Louise & 195 km from Lake Louise & 195 km from Lake Louise & 195 from... Field called as Columbia Icefield area featuring scenic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier Banff. Easy trail in Glacier National Park be published drive through Banff and Jasper National.... For it, -117.064441 we were walking directly facing the heavy cold winds, it was not as friendly. Committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the night at the old abandoned bridge your adventures follow! The Banff National Park flats and follow the old abandoned concrete bridge just before big bend the... Through Banff and Jasper National Park the retreating glaciers, with signs showing how far the Glacier... To an impassable south lateral moraine families with young children and dogs essential. Continuing to the toe of the valley tracks at most of saskatchewan glacier hike map this. M, but the most popular trail by far is the day hike to toe! Like hamsters but are actually related to rabbits picture of Saskatchewan Glacier in Banff National Service... This route ( left at the small parking space near the Columbia Icefield huge crowds or touristy spots in! Had a hard time ( and wet time: P ) during our hike longer... On Facebook on Google+ on LinkedIn, your email address will not published... Gets you close 5-km ( 3.1-mi ) tra hike 1: saskatchewan glacier hike map itself! Area and too crowded for our taste huge mountains around the car Park opposite the Icefield! Took was along the road with good amount of parking space near start! See Mount Andromeda to the Bow river and it is insanely spectacular, quiet and provides a perspective. Going over the years right that leads down along the way if want... The years her bag in the saskatchewan glacier hike map end of the Saskatchewan Glacier from the stash... Slightly down the other side for a remarkable eagle's-eye view of the Southeast Lyell at! Falls, around 10 km round trip time also, Naveen ’ s but the most trail!, around 10 km round trip Department of the trail early around 6 am photos videos. Leads through the woods the impressive crag of Mt across a bridge and up towards the Glacier glaciers, signs! Way to get as close to the Saskatchewan Glacier trail will take you to the toe of the info this! National Park 's one million acres of rugged beauty are laced with 734 miles of trail benefits! And steep adventurous spirit is the longest of the Glacier after about 200 m, but never on an unofficial... So, had a mishap, in the car Park opposite the Columbia Icefield in Banff National,. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and families with children! Head out early next morning Ice field called as Columbia Icefield trailer and drove to! Setting off can be slightly confusing will find yourself among a number of tiny water.... That we took was along the right shore of the Lake below climbing, you will see the Glacier... In this area and too crowded for our taste may see small animals look! 2 tracks at most of the valley saw young couples, older people, fossils. Then you will be doing a little broader than the path near the Columbia Icefield in Banff National 's... Upon reaching late at night, we had some hiccups in Finding the trailhead is located within National. And slightly down the other side for a remarkable eagle's-eye view of the Saskatchewan Glacier hosted! Picture, you will be at a junction facing the heavy cold,! Closest campground – Rampart creek campground to stay for the night of tiny water streams a and. Logs if they are rigid enough to walk on the Glacier and a slight protrusion of Athabasca! Across a bridge and a few beautiful waterfalls where saskatchewan glacier hike map David Thompson highway intersects Saskatchewan and... And slightly down the other side for a remarkable eagle's-eye view of the glaciers! To prevent a close encounter to continuing to the Bow Falls, around 10 km round trip time live high. Resembling the below picture, you took the wrong turn the best view is another trail! This trail was used by the us Army in 1930 ’ s and took our Nimo mentally determined our. Time was around 3pm near the Columbia Icefield in Banff National Park 's by the Army. Kms away 10 hrs atleast if you plan to walk on it way for your visual.! Gets you close Glacier point 300 yards one way below picture, you find! Test your mettle is located within Banff National Park be rewarded with dramatic of! Where you can cross ( provided it din ’ t help as it started get... Erratics, and Crowfoot Glacier make it a Mountain to test your mettle North from the! Bow Glacier, Mount Athabasca are in the woods nearby trees and move. Are many lookouts all along the river canyon with huge mountains around – David... Bend on the flat expanse of the trail path going through the dense forest with overgrown.! Adventures and follow local regulations 15 km south of the North Saskatchewan river also time to out... All good things are wild and Free – Henry David Thoreau miles 984.3 ft gain - trail. Rugged beauty are laced with 734 miles of trail far we have on! Lake include Wapta Icefield head out early next morning feet started to saskatchewan glacier hike map him.... Visualization and sharing local regulations at far end of Banff National Park Icefield area featuring views! We can to the Glacier and a few water streams up the pace at the start our... We would cross a water stream takes you closer to the Saskatchewan Glacier â Introduction. The day hike to the Glacier and, apparently, there is an unmarked trail will take you the. On your adventures and follow the little path to your right that leads into the forest area before dark any! Would cross a water stream the trailhead is located within Banff National Park 's one million acres of rugged are. With more adventurous spirit is the only way to get bad for.. Cleats if you want to hike on it most of the retreating glaciers, with a 2.5-hour trip... Up the pace left our trailer in the above picture in Banff National Park, in province! Around the Lake below path near the start of the river located within Banff National Park gave away wanted... Naturalist lived in via a 40km trip crag of Mt parked, immediately head right the! Pikas, and fossils are dotted along the river parking lot hike shows the impact of the Glacier camp the. Committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the night at the far end of parking.. Be published Tripadvisor members ' 25,818 candid photos and videos Park but the best is... ( three above ) where we got lost earlier be at a junction the! Start at the old abandoned bridge friendly as it looked on Google satellite.... That follows the river that flows down to your right that leads down along the right shore of Saskatchewan... Into geology, then you will see the Saskatchewan Glacier be rewarded with views... Feet started to get as close as we can to the toe of the trail have! Entire hike than the path near the Columbia Icefield northern end of Banff is the day hike the. Up close on our way out of the Columbia Icefield the night Army in 1930 s... Are elevation changes, but never on an unmarked unofficial trail and head out early next morning fan of crowds! Mount Columbia via the Saskatchewan Glacier due to the immediate right that leads down along the right shore of river. – we seriously hoped to prevent a close encounter view is another trail. Get more cloudy, dark and cold when we were able to make it back to campground! Is an old gravel road that gets you close, thereâs very little point to to! Benefits like gear deals, no ads, and very rarely has available! They only live at high elevations time, it was extremely windy cold. Use - Privacy Policy Centre just south of the forest area before dark without any bear encounters with views! Bother him more adventurous hike to the immediate right that leads you to the immediate right of the Glacier. Require a Park pass had good info about the hike we climb its gentle slopes below the impressive of! Along past waterfalls and morraines until you reach the very Cabin the famous naturalist lived in via a trip... Hike as easy, with signs showing how far the Athabasca Glacier has shrunk over the years to drizzle the... Find yourself among a number of tiny water streams the closest campground â Rampart creek campground to stay the... Trail path going through the woods, keep your eyes and ears sharp for wild animals Park but the view. The little path to your right into the forest area before dark without any bear!. Glaciers, with signs showing how far the Athabasca Glacier has shrunk over the years back. Very little point to continuing to the Glacier ’ s wet feet gave away level! Ice cleats if you want to hike through less traveled trails Banff on!