. Follow Rockbound Lake Trail for about 300 m where you will reach a junction. Even though it's no longer complete with a roof, it's fairly remarkable how well preserved the logs from it are. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 43 min to complete. There is a parking lot with a kiosk, bear safety information and a map. 55 photos. For road travellers, it includes viewpoints, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Highland Lake. Drive to Castle Junction on highway 1 and head east 100m on the 1A to find this parking lot. Return the way you came to the main trail and . Avalanche Bulletin; Pink line is the actual track I took which was recorded by my GPS. AVALANCHE WARNING: Sunday, December 12 The following message is transmitted at the request of the Sierra Avalanche Center. However, the trail is quite muddy from Doris to Lois. It starts running at 9 a.m. which is pretty much perfect timing for anyone leaving from Calgary at 7 o'clock. This often results in an unstable snowpack with high avalanche danger. As the year closed out in 2019 the avalanche ratings were still fairly high and the weather was bitterly cold. The views from treeline are dramatic and highlight the steep North face of Castle Mountain. Badger Pass from Luellan Lake Trail Lake Trail : 21.44km (return) 659m: Long steady hike along a forested creek : Castle Mountain Lookout Trail : 4.79km (return) 339m : A moderate forested hike : Castle Mountain Trail from Rockbound Lake Trail : 6.97km (return) 295m : Steep hike with great views at the top : Cockcomb Mountain : 14.87km : 1287m Typically our Guides will ascend via . Many of these spots are open to public fishing. . You pass by the remains of an old log cabin. U pon leaving Johnston Canyon of which I will post one last article with photographs in addition to this article of the lower falls and this article of the upper falls I then drove northwest almost seven kilometers on Bow Valley Parkway past Castle Mountain to the trailhead for Rockbound Lake to visit Silverton Falls in Banff National Park. The cost of a weekend trip is arrived at by: Adding the cost of accommodation, including a prorated portion of the Tour Leader's accommodation, plus $10/weekend club levy for equipment purchase and maintenance. Check the trail conditions beforehand to prevent a muddy or avalanche situation. As alpine granite comes into view, the trail enters its sustained steepest section up to Maude Lake, sometimes with the aid of engineered steps, then onto its highest elevation at Rockbound Pass (having climbed over 1,500 vertical feet and 6 1/2 miles from the trailhead. Temple. . Check the avalanche bulletin before heading out www.avalanche.ca. This is an area where natural processes take precedent; a place where nature remains substantially unchanged by human use. For information on the Desolation, other wilderness areas or minimum impact camping, contact: 8 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50. (Photo, top: Tower Lake from the trail before getting to Rockbound Lake) at 22:40 No comments: Labels: Hiking. PAGE 2: HIDE PAGE 2 SHOW/HIDE PIC 1 This is the other side (North side) of famous Castle Mountain here in Banff. Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Horseshoe Lake. Past the lake, the trail hits treeline and Paradise Valley reveals itself with its glaciated peaks. Gem Trek's Banff-Egypt Lake Map covers the most popular hiking trails in the immediate area of the town of Banff and immediately to the north and west.. You will begin on a steady dirt path and quickly come across a junction to Silverton Falls. Follow Wrights Lake Road until you reach Wrights Lake. Considering high avalanche danger due to recent snowfall / chinook, I thought it would be low risk objective. Heading east on Highway 50 take. There is a cliff between Tower and Rockbound. Temple. N/A: 147: 06-08-21: 16E08: Unstable_Snow: Trail is . A favourite for a relatively "easy" 25 km loop and an amazing option for larch season before snow starts falling again above treeline. Saturday, July 05, 2014. The road gets covered in snow, and the avalanche risk is high. Ropi Lake 118. A popular hiking destination. . I went on (with greatest difficulty - I"m 83) to Rockbound. Filter Items Moraine Lake Area Moraine Lake Road is OPEN to vehicle traffic. We generally will break for 10-15min. Rockbound Lake is well-known hiking objective; in summer it is a launching pad for fantastic alpine and several popular Kane scrambles. A Waterfall can be seen from the back side of the lake. During the winter months, most of the trailheads are covered by snow and are not accessible by vehicle. This hike is 16.8 km and has an elevation of 760 m. Bass Lake : DONT PUT LIGHTS UP AT BASS LAKE ITS NOT THAT BIG A. I admitted that I had screwed up the hike but I had no choice but to carry on. Moraine Lake Road closes between (approximately) October 10 to May 30. This is a worthwhile 1 km side trip to a beautiful small waterfall dropping into a turquoise blue pool. Cross country skiing blog and information for the Canadian Rockies This is a fine place to refuel, rest, and enjoy the views all around. . Parking is limited. Rockbound Lake 117. Wietse and I decided to do a relatively safe and easy outing to get our ski legs going. This professionally printed 5.5" by 8.5" guidebook is a completely rewritten and expanded 3rd edition of the book that started "confessions". Distance: 17 km return (22 km for bird's eye view of the Rockbound Lake) Elevation gain: 780 m. Difficulty: moderate. Problem. Numa Mountain & Floe Lake trail head are down Hwy 93 on the right from Castle Mountain, about 30km from Hwy 1. Time to see how these snowshoes do in some pow!! It took 3 hours to get to the first lake which was certainly beautiful, but not comparable to hikes around Lake Moraine or Lake Louise. The trail begins at the Rockbound Lake trailhead parking lot. This is the time to learn about big snow slides by registering for an avalanche course with Avalanche Canada or a guiding company. 5500ft 4000ft 0.00miles 1.50miles 3.00miles 4.50miles Rockbound Lake Details Activities Hike Trail Running Riding Area Lake Louise , Alberta Difficulty Rating Blue rate Hiking SAC Scale T2 Mountain Hiking Trail Type Wilderness Trail Direction Both Directions Physical Rating Moderate Trail Visibility Always easy to follow Dogs Allowed Yes Report Save Follow. Starting point of our tour is Rockbound Trailhead, which is directly situated by the idyllic Wrights Lake on more than 6,950 ft (2130 m). again. When the lake isn't covered in snow, it is a deep blue. Best time to go: June to September (possible in winter with snowshoes, check Parks Canada website for trail conditions and avalanche danger) 15 Aug 1985 - by John Bees. Bourgeau Lake. Doug Wiens' site Alberta Ski Trail Conditions for Trails North of Red Deer. Reply. The Banff-Egypt Lake Map features detailed cartography, accurate hiking trails with distances, and details such as side trips and backcountry campgrounds. Lake Audrian 5. Lake info for El Dorado County, California. The peak is approached from Castle Junction via the Rockbound Lake trail, the ascent broken up into sections that match 2 very independant tiers in the geological strata of the mountain. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. We decided to approach Numa Mountain from the avalanche chute route ( bench ) and return via Floe Lake. Rockbound Lake is one of our favorite hikes in Banff because it's easy to find some peace and quiet if you climb up past the lake. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some views while watching for wildlife! Winter is almost here and that means avalanche season. Wildfires have been common in the Rockies and neighboring areas . The trail to Floe Lake and Numa Pass is a well defined trail. We got a quick glimpse of the south end of Helena Ridge East Peak (right), before heading deep into the forest! Rockbound/Tower Lake Trail Skiing distance: about 7.5km, 650m if turning around at Tower Lake. Share. The nature reserve is located in the county El Dorado in California and is characterized by its innumerable picturesque mountain lakes, bare granite as well as by its individual conifers and bushes. Rockbound Lake is a stunning alpine lake that rests in a basin beneath Castle Mountain. 23 days ago. The trail is a wide double track that is well signed and makes for a fun, . Tana Stratton, Zosia Zgolak and I originally planned on skiing to Rockbound Lake on 25 April 2021, but snow conditions were so poor at the trailhead that we decided to go elsewhere. Always be aware of slope angle and overhead snow load. The slope is also prone to mudslides and should be avoided if there has been a lot of . Canadian Avalanche Association; 100's of Canmore and Banff National Park multi-pitch rock climbs, ice climbs, alpine climbs and scrambles, just scroll down to routes; From the parking area, proceed up Rockbound Lake Trail to its terminus at Rockbound Lake (9 kilometers). Island Lake. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 43 min to complete. Trailhead: Rockbound Lake trail, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), 0.2 km east of Castle Junction . here to grab a bite to eat and refill water bottles. That during winter, the Parks backcountry is open to random camping anywhere so long as you have the required permit to overnight in the backcountry. The best times to visit this trail are June through September. Hemlock Lake. July is the hottest month, with Banff and Canmore's average daytime temperature reaching to above 23C (73F). Barrett Lake 8. . Boom Lake trail is an easy-to-follow trail with gentle elevation gain. Rockbound Lake is . The trail leads the most beautiful lake with turquoise water. . For September 2014, Parks Canada has added a third weekend to its free shuttle bus service between the Lake Louise overflow parking lot and the Moraine Lake parking lot (September 27 & 28). Rockbound Lake Hike On this guided day hike you will follow a beautiful and well maintained trail that climbs steadily and opens up to stunning views of Castle Mountain and Rockbound Lake. With sun, no wind, and tolerable temperatures forecast for today I turned to my list of excellent "secret" peaks and picked one that would be great for Sandra and I on snowshoes and Alison on skis. Highland Lake. I've done all the peaks around the amphitheater long time ago, but never visited the area in winter. mount shark area. Hemlock Lake. The hike to the lake is easy and tranquil. Trails at higher elevations are snowbound and may have avalanche risk. This is a large open slope presenting a large avalanche hazard. Round Lake : This small ''round'' lake is the beginning of the . Trails are all snow-covered with a mix of ice, slush, fresh snow or melting snow conditions. The trailhead to Rockbound Lake Hike is on the right side of the Bow Valley Parkway, shortly after you pass the sign for Johnston Canyon. If the recreation area is open, at the junction by the stop sign, turn right and follow it to the end where you will find a trailhead parking lot. The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas: Greater Lake Tahoe region. Azure Lake 7. Description Directions Stats Switchbacks up to Tower Lake takes about 3 hours. Trailheads on El Dorado National Forest (West) Side. The peak in question was a 2540+ m summit to the east of the main Helena Ridge summit. El Dorado County, California Lakes: A listing of all the Lakes in El Dorado County, CA with maps, driving directions, and a local area search function. The trail starts off on the lower slopes of Castle Mountain, and gradually climbs up through the forest, similar in a way to the approach to Rockbound Lake. Angora Lakes: Echo Lake: Avalanche Lake: Echo Lake: Azure Lake: Emerald Bay: Barrett Lake: Rockbound Valley: Bass Lake: Clarksville: Beauty Lake: Pyramid Peak . Nordic-pulse.com for Canada and some of the northern US. Many people like to ski or hike to the frozen waterfalls on the . Following tracks off trail towards Silverton Creek and the lower south slopes of Helena Ridge. Not like lakes in Calgary which weren't frozen at this time . . . If you see a lake name that is . Start the trail to Rockbound Lake at the trail kiosk in the parking lot. Desolation Wilderness is accessed through 13 trailheads: Loon Lake, Van Vleck, Rockbound, Twin Lakes, Lyons Creek, Pyramid Creek, Ralston Peak, Echo Lake, Glen Alpine, Mt. Snowshoe to Rockbound Lake. The altitude gains and tough climb upwards unfortunately do not reward you with the best views. 9. Lake Miller Lake Rockbound Lake Granite Lake Lake Lois Richardson Lake Gilmore Lake Lake Le Conte Beauty Lake Mc Kinney . Placerville Ranger District Local Trail Association Mother Lode Trail Stewardship Park at Rockbound Lake Trailhead, 0.2 km east of Castle Junction on Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).The trail wanders through forest until coming to a fork to the right, leading to SilvertonFalls. Rockbound Lake is literally that: a lake surrounded by rock. Hidden Lake. It covers popular areas such as Sunshine Backcountry and Egypt Lake but also some less known gems like Massive Mountain, Copper Bowl and Rockbound Lake. The first 6 or 7 km will take you to Lake Annette and the base of the dramatic North Face of Mt. Gefo Lake Lake Audrian Waca Lake Lake Doris Azure Lake Pitt Lake Frata Lake Jabu Upper Velma Lake Avalanche Lake Phipp's Lake Fox Lake Island Lake Umpa Lake Angora Lakes Horseshoe Lake Tyler Lake American Lake Lower E c . Set within an amphitheatre carved from the limestone walls of the Massive Range, Bourgeau Lake is a moderately difficult hike, but is the closest subalpine lake to the town of Banff, making it a popular destination for those based in town. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak: Starting point of our tour is Rockbound Trailhead, which is directly situated by the idyllic Wrights Lake on more than 6,950 ft (2130 m). Other options in the area include Castle Lookout and Rockbound Lake. Heather Lake. is a map and a list of the lakes in El Dorado County, . After eating a bit of lunch I started back. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/lifeoflukeRockbound Lake near Banff, Alberta is tucked away behind the sheer cliff walls of Castle Mountain. Avalanche Lake 6. Moraine Lake is easily the most iconic lake in Canada, and the lake was even featured on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill. California Relay: 711; Forest Supervisor's Office 530 303-2412. After a small drop the trail levels out for a bit through a forest of smaller trees. . When I hiked up there in the winter, there were a LOT of skiers. From here we leave the Parks Canada trail exiting onto the climber's approach trail and follow this for another 30min or so to the base of the lower tier of the mountain. Visit Kananaskis Avalanche Forecast for the latest Avalanche Conditions. To begin this ski you head up the popular Rockbound Lake hiking trail. The pre-broken trail continued (left) towards Rockbound Lake, but we'd be the first of the season for where we were headed!! Island Lake. And if you wouldn't mind correcting the spelling of my . Front were just high mountains partially covered with snow and rumbling now and again from the avalanche sound! Great Western Divide High Route. Longer trips and those on the icefields cost more, since the cost of the accommodation is higher plus there . The views also continue to open up and provide some jaw-dropping views of the Bow Valley. In the fall this trail is home to the infamous golden larches. Trails lace the Banff area, ranging from low-elevation strolls along boardwalks to more strenuous full-day outings that lead seasoned hikers to some of the best alpine passes the Rocky Mountains have to offer. Alta Morris Lake: Rockbound Valley: . . Skier Roger's site for Calgary, Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Yoho trail conditions. Helena Ridge on the right and Rockbound Lake is covered by ice and snow already. The Rockbound Lake Trail is located near Lake Louise in Banff National Park, just 31 km west of the town of Banff. There are some avalanche paths to cross when coming up to the lake, as well as on the opposite side of the lake. Horseshoe Lake. Note: This trail is not recommended for winter travel as the waterfall viewpoint is on an avalanche slope. It is such a beautiful . For more information, please contact the Lake Louise Visitor Centre (403) 522-1264. It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Rockbound (Lower) is a 2 mile less popular blue singletrack alpine trail located near Strawberry California. Beauty Lake 10. . Daily low temperatures average around 7 C (45 F) . Helena Ridge East Peak, Feb. 18, 2019. For more information on the avalanche You will bypass Tower Lake on your left. Hidden Lake. . It can be reached by taking Wrights Lake Road off of Highway 50. The crystal clear lake which is surrounded by pines is a popular local recreation area and starting point for many hiking tours into Desolation Wilderness. Rockbound Lake was another 20-30 minute hike after the initial . Trailhead : Miles One Way: Difficulty: Twin Lakes to: Grouse Lake: 2.1: Moderate/Difficult : Hemlock Lake This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating with a 49 ft black diamond climb. Very steep switchbacks for about 15 minutes brings you to Rockbound Lake. The two others parties gearing up in the Rockbound Lake parking lot at 7:25 am, also heading up to Helena, further indication of the growing popularity of the route. Policies & Procedures. A great spot to click photos when in Banff! Between Rockbound and Doris Lake trail is still 50% snow covered, then mostly snow free between Doris and Lois. There is an outhouse at the trailhead and a gas station at the intersection. Length 10.0 miElevation gain 2,726 ftRoute type Out & back Rockbound Lake. With a significant increase in avalanche risk, this trip seemed to be a good choice, instead of a more ambitious objective - ambitious being quite relative - 16 km of . The lower tier is primarily 4th class, while the upper tier involves more of the technical climbing to 5.3 in difficulty. Enjoy the . True Meaning of . Trailhead: Rockbound Lake trail, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), 0.2 km east of Castle Junction . View this link for Office Locations and Hours of Operation. Avalanche Risk During any month of the year, hikers should expect that steep slopes covered in snow can avalanche, with serious consequences. Peaks: High Route (sorted/filed as High) ; Place: California Part 1, Was There a High Route? During the winter of 1984-5, after I had previously completed most of Roper's "Sierra High Route" from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, I wondered about the possibility of extending this cross-country route to the south of the original Yosemite to . A favourite for a relatively "easy" 25 km loop and an amazing option for larch season before snow starts falling again above treeline. Hiking in winter - it's not recommended to snowshoe to Rockbound Lake in winter due to frequent avalanches. 07/05/17. . Interagency Passes do not apply to the Wilderness permit or purchase of the Fee Card or Parking Pass. 11. 1. More posts from the Calgary community . Grouse Lakes (Large) Grouse Lakes (Small) Half Moon Lake. Kananaskis normally has less snow, extreme temperature changes, and more wind than the neighboring mountain ranges. Heather Lake. Make sure you are comfortable with the stability before dropping in. And since it's relatively untouched, that powder becomes very deep to the point where my snowshoes were acting more like skis. Getting There Grouse Lake is located just inside the Desolation Wilderness boundary in El Dorado County. . The hike to Tower Lake is great. It's only about a 100 m elevation gain, but it gains it quick even with the help of the switchbacks. If you plan to hike the Rockbound Lake trail in winter, proceed only to Tower Lake unless you're an experienced hiker, have avalanche training, avalanche gear, and have checked the avalanche bulletin. Ironically the weather conditions were very similar to the last time I left the Rockbound Lake parking lot - bloody freaking cold! There is also a scramble from this point to a ridge. My understanding is that in winter, you can camp anywhere in the backcountry of the Nat'l Parks. Past the lake, the trail hits treeline and Paradise Valley reveals itself with its glaciated peaks. Without using skins, Sonny climbs to the edge of the wet snow avalanche above the open slope the group passed earlier. The first 6 or 7 km will take you to Lake Annette and the base of the dramatic North Face of Mt. Tallac, Bayview, Eagle Lake and Meeks Bay. Alex Thomas. There is a giant fan that leads to the couloir and this can be an avalanche hazard so do take care in assessing the snowpack as you approach the choke. . If you plan on hiking a lot in the winter taking an Avalanche Safety Course is recommended if you are venturing into . Tryst Lake Chutes: Tryst Lake Chutes run along the ridge offering a number of short but fun steep chutes dropping 150m to the lake. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. snow slopes or when exposed to avalanche paths. Skinning up the long well packed Rockbound Lake trail. This short hike starts at the Rockbound Lake Trail located next to the Rockbound Lake Trailhead parking lot. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Kananaskis Highway Powder. More Information Banff Visitor Centre: 403-762-1550 224 Banff Avenue We enjoyed being the only ones on the trail on a snowy Saturday in November. The route to Helena Ridge starts up the well trafficked Rockbound lake hiking and snowshoe trail. Explore this 11.1-mile out-and-back trail near Lake Louise, Alberta. 4260 Eight Mile Road, Camino Ca 95709. On hot days, the temperature can hit 30C (86F) around the towns of Banff and Canmore in the valley bottom. Tower is far prettier, I felt. However, you will want to avoid the slope to skiers right as it is a very clear avalanche path from the ridge . There are many trails up at Rockbound and I took several that led me to the edge of the cliff but the trail stopped there. The trail down to Clyde Lake from the main trail towards China Flat/Rockbound lake . It is primarily double track and heavily skied which makes for easy travel. Length: 15 km (9.2 miles) roundtrip. Banff Lake Louise webcams of trails. You can ski up the 14 km it but it passes through avalanche terrain so proper training is required. Rockbound Lake offers a great access to some of the best alpine running there is (Castle Mountain, Stuart Knob, Helena Peak) but it is also a well-traveled hike, and for good reason. If you're unsure of the conditions, this is not the place to be. Along the Rockbound Lake trail, a spring crosses it about 5km from the trailhead. Grouse Lakes (Large) Grouse Lakes (Small) Half Moon Lake. Elevation gain: 725 metres (2,380 feet) Allow: 5 to 6 . AVALANCHE WARNING: Sunday, December 12 The following message is transmitted at the request of the Sierra Avalanche Center. To reach the gorgeous lake requires some effort, and it . Expect a gradual 9 to 10 km climb to reach Rockbound Lake. Angora Lakes 4. Across Silverton Creek and ascending the south slopes of Helena Ridge. American Lake 3. Choose a trail suitable to your needs and abilities and enjoy the wonders of Banff National Park.