This is SPHP’s favorite short day hike in the Canadian Rockies! If you only have a couple of hours to spend while in the area (simply tragic!), this is the hike to take. The Parker Ridge trailhead is located 2.5 miles S of the Banff and Jasper National Parks boundary at Sunwapta Pass. The trailhead is at a small parking lot immediately adjacent to the southbound side of the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.
Lupe set off from the trailhead at 9:43 AM on this clear, calm day. The temperature was already a very pleasant 63 degrees F. The 2.7 km trail to the top of Parker Ridge starts out just below tree line. It immediately starts to switchback up the ridge through a scattered forest of small conifers. The trail climbs steadily the entire way at a pretty easy pace, rising above tree line about halfway up. Total elevation gain is about 250 meters (820 feet).
Lupe on Parker Ridge, Banff NP, Canada, on 7-29-14. This photo looks E down the canyon and away from the Saskatchewan Glacier.
Once the trail reaches the crest of Parker Ridge, it continues a short distance to a series of viewpoints along the steep edge of the huge valley to the S. While the scenery is gorgeous in all directions, the main attraction is the spectacular view of the Saskatchewan Glacier flowing down into this valley from the Columbia Icefield. Continuing along the trail just a short distance heading E, away from the glacier, actually gets you to the best views of the glacier due to the curvature of the valley and topography of Parker Ridge.
Although the views are gorgeous in all directions, the main attraction on Parker Ridge is the fabulous view of the Saskatchewan Glacier.
Lupe, of course, was very cooperative in posing for a few photos with the Saskatchewan glacier. She stayed up on Parker Ridge quite a while enjoying the fabulous scenery and keeping a sharp eye out for marmots. Although there had been only a few vehicles at the trailhead when Lupe started out, before long people started arriving in droves. When Lupe got back to the trailhead just before noon, the parking lot along the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 was nearly full.
Lupe on Parker Ridge, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada on 7-29-14
The hike from Chateau Lake Louise up to the end of the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail beneath Mt. Victoria(11,375 ft.) is one of the most popular and beautiful classic day hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Expect plenty of company on any nice day, and a hard time getting a parking place during the middle of the day. Access is from Lake Louise Village along the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. The hike starts at the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail in front of Chateau Lake Louise at the E end of the lake.
Lupe arrived early for this marvelous hike, which she had done once before back in 2013, but rainy overcast conditions delayed a start until mid-morning, by which time the rain had stopped and the skies were clearing at Chateau Lake Louise. Mt. Victoria was still lost in the clouds. Before Lupe even got started, a friendly Chinese lady saw her near the boathouse where they rent out canoes. She was instantly entranced with Lupe, and Lupe politely posed for several pictures near the lake.
Lupe at Lake Louise. Mt. Victoria is in the clouds at the far end of the lake.
Lupe took the most direct route to the Plain of Six Glaciers, which starts with the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail. From Chateau Lake Louise at the E end of the lake, the trail goes right along the N shore of Lake Louise. It is an easy 2.0 km stroll gaining no elevation all the way to the W end of the lake. Beyond the lake is the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, which continues W upstream along the N side of the valley floor. It goes through a small section where shallow glacial meltwaters were running over the trail, and then starts rising up the N side of the valley. As the trail continues W, it begins to climb faster and eventually incorporates some switchbacks.
Lupe and her new friend Bill from China not far from the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house. (Not pictured)
At 5.5 km from Chateau Lake Louise, Lupe reached a little plaza with benches near the Plain of the Six Glaciers Tea House. On the last stretch of trail prior to reaching the plaza, the son of the friendly Chinese lady had caught up with Lupe and showed an interest in her, too. At the little plaza, he started feeding chipmunks and squirrels crumbs. This activity was of great interest to Lupe, and she could barely contain her excitement. Soon the friendly Chinese lady and her husband showed up and there were several more photos taken of Lupe with her new Chinese friends.
Lupe with new Chinese friends Peiling and her son Bill. Next time Lupe is in China, she will be staying with them!
Since Lupe is not interested in tea, she continued on the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail beyond the tea house. This portion of the trail soon leaves the forest as it approaches Mt. Victoria at the W end of the valley. The trail becomes rocky and eventually gets up on the (former) lateral moraine of the glacier coming down the Deathtrap between Mt. Lefroy(11, 293 ft.) and Mt. Victoria. The end of the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is about 1.5 km from the tea house (7.0 km from Chateau Lake Louise) on steep rocky slopes above the end of the lateral moraine and just below Mt. Victoria.
Lupe near the end of the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. The Deathtrap is visible between Mt. Lefroy on the left and Mt. Victoria on the right. 7-24-14
When Lupe reached the end of the Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail, no one else was there, although a few people were either coming up or had just started on their way back down. Intermittent show showers and gusts of wind made it seem like late fall or early winter instead of late July. The sky was completely overcast. A thin fog hung in the cool air. Although Lupe could see the top of Mt. Lefroy and the upper reaches of Mt. Victoria, Abbot Hut at the top of the Deathtrap was not visible. Lake Louise and Chateau Lake Louise looked very small and far away back down the huge valley to the E.
Lupe at the end of the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. Lake Louise is visible far down the valley to the E.
After some photos and a bit to eat at the end of the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, the weather was deteriorating. It was time to head back to Lake Louise. Soon after getting down off the lateral moraine, SPHP heard someone calling out. It was the friendly Chinese lady wanting a few more pictures with Lupe! Lupe and SPHP wound up hiking all the way back down to Chateau Lake Louise with the friendly Chinese family.
Although language was a significant barrier, the Chinese understood and could speak enough English so a good time was had by all. Leo was the husband’s name, Peiling the wife’s name, and Bill the son’s name. Peiling even taught SPHP to say “Ni Hao Ma”. (Pleased to meet you!)
Lupe’s new friends are from the city of Foshan in Guangdong province of China, which SPHP later learned is not too far NW of Hong Kong. They invited Lupe to come and visit them! We shall see. You never know. Lupe is an adventurous dingo!
Click here to see Lupe’s post on her July 21, 2013 adventures on The Plain of Six Glaciers trail at Lake Louise!
