Be forewarned that the Rockbound Lake trailhead might be very busy during the summer of 2021 since eastbound Bow Valley Parkway cyclists will be using it a staging ground. easy hikes in Banff perfect for families Velma Lakes is a very scenic trail in the Desolation Wilderness. However, the trail is quite muddy from Doris to Lois. Nature Impacts Us Take the exit and turn right. Rockbound Lake. From Banff, drive north up to 93 South/Castle Junction. If traveling North on Bow Valley Parkway from Banff, the trailhead is on the right just before reaching the Castle junction. The trail starts out gradual and rolling; enjoy it while it lasts. Follow this road about 20 miles to Loon Lake and the Desolation Wilderness Trail head parking lot. Trailhead 2. When you get to the Wrights Lake Welcome Cabin and parking lot on your left, go straight ahead following signs to Rockbound Trailhead. This section of trail is well marked and quite easy leading to the little bubbling rapids. Banff National Park Of Canada, Rockbound Lake Trail, Improvement District No. Creek crossing at Willow flat is manageable. Park at the Rockbound Trailhead , and follow the Rockbound trial one-half mile to Beauty Lake. Trail Length (one way): 8.4 km Elevation Gain: 760 m (2463 feet) Travel Time (return trip): 5 to 7 hours (depending on how … RELATED PHOTO ALBUMS. Parking at the trailhead is free, but check with the USFS to make sure Wrights Lake Road is open for the season. The beginning section is often crowded, despite being very steep and rough. 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. Description: The Rockbound Lake trip is a rather rigorous 8.4 kilometers(one way) hike carrying the hiker high behind the ramparts of Castle Mountain to the snow-fed waters of two distinctly different tarns, one a placid and green mirror fringed by a pleasantly open subalpine forest and meadowland; the other a cold, grey sheet of water contained within a basin of steep scree … Silverton Falls Trail, Banff National Park Much of the section of trail after the Tyler Lake junction is over granite with some blast marks but mostly rocks lining the way. From there follow the Rockbound trail until you reach the signposted fork, which tells you to turn right. NTS Map: 082O05Elevation Gain: 760 m (2,493 ft). There is a cliff between Tower and Rockbound. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. Follow the path till you reach a three- or four-way fork, depending on whether you consider the false trails here. Gradual but steady elevation gain to Tower Lake and then, steeper up to Rockbound Lake. Both lakes are beautiful. Hiking Great! Must ascend to the lookout point. It's not nearly as difficult as it looks from the lake, the trail is well defined up there. The trail is clear, lots of different terrain but nearly all uphill. This trail goes by Tower Lake and Tower lake viewpoint. The entire round trip hike is about 18 km but I love everything about it: the lakes, the mountain ranges, the waterfall, and most importantly, the views from the top of the ridge. You will begin on a steady dirt path and quickly come across a junction to Silverton Falls. Total hiking distance = 18.9 km to Rockbound Lake, plus an estimated 4 km (return) to the ridge above the lake Total elevation gain = 870 meters (785 net) to Rockbound Lake, plus an estimated 150 meters to the ridge above the lake (NOTE: There were a couple of tricky bits Mr. GeoK had to work his way through on the way up to/down from the ledge. The trail starts out from the Rockbound Lake trail head parking lot and follows what used to be an old fire road. Preferably experience it on a non rainy day as it can get slippery. Turn right at the stop sign and the parking lot will be on your left a few seconds later, Rockbound Lake parking lot. Between Rockbound and Doris Lake trail is still 50% snow covered, then mostly snow free between Doris and Lois. Description: This is more of a walk than hike. The trail starts just off the Bow Valley Parkway, and it will take you through the backcountry and to two beautifully scenic lakes. Distance: 8.4 km to Rockbound Lake; Difficulty: Moderate; The trailhead is located at the Rockbound Lake parking lot, which is 200 metres east of Castle Junction on the Bow Valley Parkway. The Rockbound Lake Trail. A dense tree canopy shelters much of the nearly 15-mile paved path, providing habitat for hawks, wood storks, stilts and belted kingfishers. Tower lake and Eisenhower Peak [2,751 m.] There is a significant amount of parking, at the trailhead, along with overflow parking just prior. The Wrights Lake Road will be between tract 36 and tract 39 along Highway 50. The trail is long but beautiful. In my post 'Ten Great Summer Hikes in the Canadian Rockies' I mentioned hiking at Rockbound Lake in Banff National Park, so I thought I'd provide a few more photographs and a little bit more of an explanation about the hike. This is a place that we backpack into quite often and are very familiar with the area. Small amount of snow around Tower Lake and above but the trail was still clear. 146. Rockbound/Tower Lake Trail Skiing distance: about 7.5km, 650m if turning around at Tower Lake. Located a short distance SE of the Castle Junction highway intersection 31kms west of Banff. However, the winter ascent from Rockbound Lake to the summit of Helena Ridge will require the use of snowshoes and/or crampons. Cat Creek Waterfall. RELATED PHOTO ALBUMS. The 0.9-km trail leaves from the Rockbound Lake trailhead parking area, 200 metres east of Castle Mountain Chalets on the Bow Valley Parkway. This is where your trail begins. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/rockbound-lake The Rockbound parking lot will be on the left. Trail Distance – 8.5km from parking lot to Rockbound Lake. You'll see. Take this exit and keep going down to Castle Mountain. There is a large trail information sign that indicates the start of the hike. This is a moderate one way trail in Banff National Park. TAKE ME THERE! To get to the Tower Lake trailhead from Banff, travel westbound for 19.9 mi on the Trans-Canada Highway to Castle Junction. The trail head is a parking lot just east of Castle Junction on the… Drive to Castle Junction on highway 1 and … The hike to Tower Lake is great. Beauty Lake is typically visited by hikers when traveling along the Rockbound Pass trail from the Wrights Lake Recreation Area to the top of Rockbound Pass, which is roughly 8,600 feet in elevation. Psst… this one is technically in Yoho National Park, but just south of the Continental Divide. Take your first left turn into the parking lot for Rockbound Lake. I went on (with greatest difficulty - I"m 83) to Rockbound. Reaching the scree gully we had scoped from the summit, we are happy to find a climber's trail, which bring us easily down to Rockbound Lake. Rockbound Lake If you’re up for it, with a half-hour detour you can also take in Silverton Falls which is far less frequented than the nearby Johnson Canyon waterfalls (although with due reason – Johnson Canyon has five falls with a very easy paved path running the whole way to the ‘Upper Falls’). to Castle Junction (Hwy. There is ample parking and a restroom there. I didn’t use my poles, but I wish I had! after a section of wood boardwalk turn left up a good trail leading to the. Follow the signs to Wrights Lake Recreational area. When you get to the Wrights Lake Welcome Cabin and parking lot on your left, go straight ahead following signs to Rockbound Trailhead. The shade disperses gradually as it also passes junctions with several other trails: Beauty Lake, Twin Lakes Tie, Old Corral Loop, Tyler, and Red Peak. before the final ascent to the “ Big Beehive ”. 1: The Big Beehive, Lake Louise. Turn right at the stop sign and the parking lot will be on your left a few seconds later, Rockbound Lake parking lot. This trail goes by Maud Lake. The lake is gorgeous and the view is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. 300 metres down the forested trail, you will come to a signed junction. Take the ascending path to reach Silverton Falls. (The trailhead is near the restroom.) If you walk to the right once you get to Rockbound Lake, you will get an awesome panoramic view point. Trips Alerts Sign in Alerts Sign in Naturally, we went for a hike. The trail to Silverton falls starts off at the Rockbound lake trail head. The trail begins at the Rockbound Trail (16E08) at the parking lot just west of Wrights Lake. Create an itinerary including Silverton Falls. Once you pass Eagle Lake, it becomes less crowded. The trail to Tower Lake is popular with ntermediate cross-country skiiers in winter. Rock bound trail head direction :Turn right from Castle junction onto Bow Valley parkway. Velma Lakes. Tower is far prettier, I felt. This 2.4 km hike is great for beginners or families with younger children. This is a worthwhile 1 km side trip to a beautiful small waterfall dropping into a turquoise blue pool. Rockbound/Tower Lake Trail Skiing distance: about 7.5km, 650m if turning around at Tower Lake. It’s close to Banff and fits the bill! This is an awesome 10-mile hike gaining over 2,400 feet of elevation. It’s about 45 minutes of easy hiking from the time you break out of the woods to reach Tower Lake. Difficulty: Easy. You can follow this all the way back to the Rockbound Pass trail where you will turn left and head back to the parking area. Begin at the parking lot and follow the old road trail as it narrows and winds up switchbacks. Begin the trail at the shared trailhead for Silverton Falls and Rockbound Lake. A bit further on past Lake Genevieve are Crag, Hidden and Stoney Ridge Lakes for those with greater capabilities. We stayed there for four days. Few other hikes in the world capture the raw power of glacial landscapes quite … Location Route: Rockbound lake trail Distance: 18.2 km Weather Conditions:Good: 27 Deg C, sunny most of the trip Directions to Set in or Trail head: East on Hwy 93 from Hwy 1, to Hwy 1A, turn South, parking lot is on the left side aprox 100m or so from turn. 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