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Hiking
Hiking Tours
dates and availability
 Surrounded
by the rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Icefall Lodge is the perfect
base for trekking in wilderness solitude. Although the lodge shares a
border with Banff National Park, it is far from the
crowded hiking trails of Lake Louise and Banff. With
over 200 square km of wilderness, Icefall Lodge is far from any towns,
roads or signs of civilization. While this is more than can be explored in a week, it does ensure
plenty of options and no crowds.
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 Lush
alpine meadows start right outside the door. With over 100 species
of flowers, you are walking through a brightly colored carpet. The
mountains are some of the highest in the Canadian Rockies. These include
Mount Forbes, the highest peak in Banff National Park.
Tumbling, blue glaciers and vast icefields
form the backdrop to all the hikes. There are over 30 glaciers at Icefall.
The seracs and tumbling icefalls of these glaciers gave the valley it's
name.
 The
geology that created these rugged mountains is revealed in the bending and
folded strata of the rock faces. There are numerous cave systems, many of
them unexplored. The outflow stream from Kemmel Glacier disappears into a
cave only to reappear 2 km down valley from a pair of caves. There
are other streams that are sprayed up into the air from the mouth of
caves; the pressure and narrow cave mouth acting as a nozzle. |
The hiking season runs from July to September.
Hiking from Icefall offers you flexibility with options for fully catered,
guided hiking weeks, or a self guided trip where you are left to explore
on your own. See Hiking Tours for
some of the different hiking packages available. You can also custom
design your own trip to fit your holiday.
For the more adventurous, see
the Icefall Traverse this involves non
technical hiking on the glaciers. Also see the mountaineering section for mountaineering
courses, peak ascents or private guiding.
See a Map Hiking Trails
or a description of Summer access from the
highway. Waiver All visitors to the lodge will be
required to sign a waiver.
Those not using a guide will be required to sign a
Self Guide Waiver
Work opportunities are available at the
lodge.
The Hikes
This is a remote area that
was extremely difficult to reach until a few years ago. With helicopter
as the only access there were very few visits to this area before the
building of Icefall Lodge. The trail through the dense old growth forest of the
lower elevation makes hiking to the lodge feasible. Most other trails are at or
above treeline. The trails are less
traveled than those of the National Parks or the Alps.
Guides are knowledgeable about the local plant,
wildlife and geology. Many of the best hikes do not follow a trail, but
wander through the many alpine meadows. Let a guide show you the hidden
gems of this pristine area.
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Balcony traverse. This
trail traverses above Kemmel Valley at treeline, offering spectacular views
of the Lyell Glacier and Division Peak to the east. There are several
options on this day including a scramble up to Alien Peak (2600m or 8600
feet). This gives a view of the high massive of Rostrum Peak with its
tumbling glaciers and seracs. From the base of Alien Peak, traverse a
wide, natural rock ledge to the base of Kemmel Glacier. 5-6 hours. |
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Tivoli is the
prominent rock buttress that is seen out the front window of the lodge.
The trail contours through forests, meadows, and eventually a lateral
moraine to reach the base of this 300m cliff. From Tivoli there is a steep
climb to Keffi Pass. From this high point at 2350m (7800 feet), the trail
leaves the barren moraines and descends through lush meadows. If the
group has more energy, there is an optional side trip to the toe of La
Clytte Glacier. Bring back some blue glacier ice to pour your scotch over
in the evening. 4-7 hours
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Espresso Ridge:
This is the long
scenic ridge that rises up directly behind the lodge. The trail takes a
long detour through alpine meadow and wildflowers before traversing back
to the ridge. The high point is a lookout on the ridge at 2350m (7800
feet). There are outstanding views of Mount Forbes, the highest peak in
Banff National Park. From the lookout the trail descends the opposite side
through meadows and small streams eventually traversing beneath the base
of the ridge back to the lodge. 4-5 hours
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 Icefall
Canyon: This is truly one of the most spectacular hikes anywhere.
The Lyell and Mons Icefields, which cover over 50 square km, send glaciers
down to the rim of this canyon. Waterfalls, up to 600m high, spill
over from all sides of the canyon. This trail starts from valley
bottom beside Icefall Brook. As you get closer the thunder
increases. After 1.5 km you beak out of the trees into the open valley
bottom. The shear limestone walls stretch for 2 km, with countless
waterfalls and many caves. Standing there you feel the pure, untamed
power of nature.
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