Hiking Trails - Larch Valley Trail to Sentinel Pass

[1-Mt Temple from Lake Louise visitor kiosk parking lot - click to enlarge]

The distance of the hike posted today is about 16.5km distance return with an elevation gain of 880m with a time frame of about 8 hours via the Larch Valley. The photos are from a hike taken in late September and the snow covered peaks will bring a visual relief to those visitors experiencing extreme heat in their locations.


[2-Moraine Lake - click to enlarge]

The trailhead is 100m past the Moraine Lake Lodge, along the lakeshore. Here the trail branches right and begins its steep climb through thick forest of Englemann Spruce to Larch Valley and the Minnestimma Lakes (a First Nations word for “sleeping water”). The first of the switchbacks begin slightly after 1km. By remaining on the trail and avoiding short cuts, this prevents erosion and soil damage.


[3- On Larch Valley trail - click to enlarge]



[4- Larch trees across valley - click to enlarge]






[5-Larch trees and Mount Bowlen - click to enlarge]

An ice-filled gully known to mountaineers as the 3-3.5 couloir lies between Mount Bowlen and Tonsa, 3057m (10,030 ft). In the past it was used by climbers to access the Neil Colgan Alpine Club Hut until several accidents occurred. It is no longer recommended.



[6- Snowy larch valley trail - click to enlarge]





[7-Larch trees in the sun - click to enlarge]




[8-Clark's Nutcracker - click to enlarge]

2.5km up the trail is a junction for Eiffel Lake and Wenkchemna Pass where the trail goes ahead. Take the right fork for Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. Here the trail climbs into the Larch Valley meadows.


[9-Larch Valley and some of the Ten Peaks - click to enlarge]







[10-Moon over Larch Valley Trail - click to enlarge]





[11-Larch Valley and some of the Ten Peaks - click to enlarge]

From Larch Valley, 520m above Moraine Lake and 205m below Sentinel Pass are panoramic views. In autumn the larch tree needles turn golden. From Larch Valley it is another 2.8 km to the top of the pass at 2611m (8,566 feet).


[12-Sentinel Pass destination for the day - click to enlarge]

Sentinel Pass is one of the highest in Banff National Park. Those hikers going up to the pass or crossing over should be wearing sturdy hiking boots while being aware of the possibility of falling and rolling rock. This particular hike ends at the top of Sentinel Pass where it is snow bound.




[13-Z marks the trail to Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]





[14-Moon over mountain in Larch Valley - click to enlarge]






[15-Westernmost of the Ten Peaks - click to enlarge]




[16-Uppermost Minnestimma Lake and Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]





[17-Minnestimma Creek below uppermost Minnestimma Lake. Mt Fay in background - click to enlarge]





[18-Upper Minnestimma Lake from Sentinel Pass trail - click to enlarge]


Steep switchbacks up to Sentinel Pass at 2611m.





[19-Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]






[20-Sentinel Pass Trail at Pinnacle Mountain - click to enlarge]





[21-Minnestimma Lakes from higher up Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]






[22-Pinnacle Peak adjacent Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]





[23-Mount Temple from Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]






[24-Looking north into Paradise Valley from Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]




[25-Trail into Paradise Valley under the snow - click to enlarge]





[26-The Sentinel and Paradise Valley from Sentinel Pass - click to enlarge]

The tallest of the pinnacle spires is known as the Grand Sentinel. This pass was first ascended in 1894 by Samuel Anderson and Yandell Henderson. Several days later they returned with their companions to climb Mount Temple at 3543m (11,625 ft).



[27-Coming back down Larch Valley - click to enlarge]





[28-Larch Valley and the Ten Peaks, with Mt Fay, snowcapped - click to enlarge]

Mount Fay, 3235m (10614 ft) was named by Charles E. Fay in 1902 and first climbed in 1904 by Gertrude Benham guided by Christian Kaufman.




[29-Valley trail with Mt Fay - click to enlarge]





[30-Larch Valley - click to enlarge]










[31-Larch Valley - click to enlarge]






[32-Moraine Lake from Larch Valley trail - click to enlarge]




[33-Moraine Lake from Larch Valley trail - click to enlarge]



[34-Canoes on Moraine Lake - click to enlarge]

ParksCanada recommends that anyone hiking on this trail to ensure they are in a party of four or more for safety from Grizzly bears.

Sources:
ParksCanada – Banff
Trail Conditions
Gem Trek maps for Lake Louise and Skoki
Peakfinder.com -

Map from parkscanada of half day hikes in Lake Louise and Moraine Lake area
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/activ1cc_e.asp

Photo Credits: [1]to{34] inclusive were taken by brilang CC=nc-sa-flickr.