Glacier Lake Hike In Banff National Park.

Glacier Lake is located in Banff National Park near the North Saskatchewan River crossing approximately 77Km North of Lake Louise. The hike to Glacier Lake and it's back country campground is considered easy to moderate. It is approximately 18Km return with a total elevation gain of 400m, allow 5-6 hours return. Park at the Glacier Lake Trail head parking lot on the South Side of the Icefields Parkway just West of North Saskatchewan River crossing resort. The trail head is located at the back of the parking lot. At about 1Km you will reach the foot bridge that crosses the North Saskatchewan River. Cross the bridge and continue on another 1.2Km until you reach the Howse River View Point. Interesting to note that David Thompson who led a group of fur traders camped at this spot for several days in 1807. From this viewpoint you can see Howes Pass, Mount Murchison, Mount Outram, the Sir James Glacier and the beautifully colored Howes River. Follow the trail to your right (west) as it drops down towards the river. The trail meanders upstream along the bank of the Howes River for another 2Km or so then enters a lush spruce, fir and pine forest. Lots of Wildflowers and Mushrooms can be found on this section of the trail. In approximately 4.5km you'll reach a sign that points towards the Glacier Lake Campground. The trail splits here towards Glacier Lake and the dangerous Howes River crossing that joins the historic Howse Pass Trail. From this sign it is a short distance down to Glacier Lake. Glacier Lake is the fourth largest lake in Banff National Park. It is 4.6Km long and .9Km wide. The lake is fed from the massive Lyell Glacier that is whispering your name 8.5Km west of here. It's very tempting to continue on towards the Lyell Glacier but it would be a very long day trip, 36km return. If you're spending the night at the Glacier Lake Campground a trip to the Lyell Glacier is a must or better yet you can overnight near the glacier. There is an old log cabin located in the Glacier Lake Campground that is still in use. The cabins door is missing so in the middle of the night you might be sharing it with the local wildlife, let me know if bears snore. The campground has a few picnic tables located near the shore and there are several flat spots for a tent. Expect it to be windy here as it is located at the East end of the lake in and below the S.E. Lyell Icefields Valley. Cirque Peak Scramble. Helen Lake Hike, Bow Falls Hike, Bow Lake Lookout, Peyto Lake Hike, Chephren Cirque Lake Hikes are all located near here. Rampart Creek Campground, Thompson Creek Campground and Two O'clock Creek Campground are also located near here. You are in Bear country.