Helen Lake Hike - Icefields Parkway

Helen Lake Hike

Distance: 15km

Elevation: 550m (to the Headwall)

Time: 4hrs return

Kona takes in the view of Helen Lake from the headwall

To celebrate Alanna's birthday I joined her, Cam and Kona for a hike to Lake Helen. It was my first time on this stunning hike, but shortly after we started Alanna realized they had done it before. Good thing it was worth doing twice! I had been up Helen Shoulder on skis, but the valley really comes alive with beautiful colours in the summer.

Dolomite from Helen Shoulder

The hike starts from the Helen Lake parking lot, across the highway from the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint. It's an easy trail to follow up through the forest to reach Helen Shoulder. The grade mellows out as you hit treeline and the views start to open up revealing Dolomite and Cirque Peak.

Over the meadows towards Cirque Peak

The trail winds through meadows which would be spectacular earlier in the year when wildflowers are in bloom.

Cam crossing the creek before we reach the lake

After 1.5hrs we arrived at Helen Lake, a good spot to stop for a snack. Up ahead, we could spot hikers on the scree slope up to Cirque Peak. The lake is 6km and 400m above the parking lot, but you should continue up another 150m elevation to the headwall for better views! The trail wraps around the lake then switch-backs up a steep slope. The marmots and pikas were very active and whistling loudly.

Lake Helen reflects Cirque Peak

Once you make it up the headwall and into Dolomite Pass, there is an pretty alpine tarn and great views over Helen Lake and Dolomite. We kept climbing with plans to summit Cirque Peak.

Tarn at the top of Dolomite Pass

As you follow the trail up through the rock bands, the route gets less obvious but is marked by lots of small cairns to follow. We ended up going too far left and followed a trail around the cliff band which was pretty cool but didn't get us up onto the scree as we had hoped. It was a simple scramble up the rock band but with the dog it was sketchy so we turned back to look for an easier way up.

Wrapping around the rock bands looking for a break in the cliffs for the dog

Wapta Icefield in the distance

Back on the main trail, it was looking promising but we encountered another short step of rock that prevented us from going any further with the dog. Further up the ridge, the going gets easier but we made a decision to turn around here to avoid any issues with Kona. It was also a perfect stop to pop open Alanna's birthday champagne!

Coming down from our high point for the day

Birthday girl celebrates with some champagne

Continuing up to the summit of Cirque Peak is an easy scramble with a total elevation gain of 1100m. Apparently you can get some excellent views of Bow Lake and the Wapta Icefield from the summit, but we were pretty happy with our vistas and glimpse of the Wapta from the headwall.

Back down the valley past Dolomite

Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier

Snuggles with a tired dog