Half of our group (younger!) A long approach leads to Rockbound Lake followed by an easy climb leads to inspiring views on the summit of Castle Mountain. Having been fed a steady diet of alpine views since I was a kid, getting up where I can see has been an addiction I’ve rarely let go of. The Rockbound Lake approach Begin at the Rockbound Lake trailhead, located about 100m east of Castle Junction on Highway 1A. First ascended in 1884 by Arthur Coleman, Castle Mountain is noteworthy because it is the easternmost mountain of the Main Ranges in the Bow Valley of the Canadian Rockies. It hides a lot of the mountain scenery at first but when you finally get to see Eisenhower Tower, it's very impressive. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The trail is long but beautiful. The trail then climbs a low cliff band and emerges in a glacial cirque filled by Rockbound Lake. Who: Ed, Jace, Craig, Paige, Joey, Ian . We had to take our skis off to negotiate the final few metres. However, there are trailheads from both of the campgrounds. If we turned back from every nasty weather forecast and little bit of snow we wouldn’t be out here at all so with that positive kick in the tush we started up the trail to Rockbound Lake. This is because Castle Mountain is in the Main Ranges of the Canadian Rockies, whereas our more usual hiking area is in the Front Ranges. Castle Rock Trailhead: From the intersection of Route 30 and Route 28N in the Town of Long Lake follow Route 30/28N toward Blue Mountain Lake. I hiked Rockbound Lake Trail this past summer as a means to summit Castle Mountain. In the summer, however, it's just a bit steep and nothing more. the trail narrows into a single track to Tower Lake, and then it’s a steeper climb on a switchback for 15 minutes up to Rockbound Lake there was a light dusting of snow, and the metal grippers proved to be very helpful as we rounded behind Castle Mountain Castle Mountain: Topo Map . The trail is clear, lots of different terrain but nearly all uphill. Looking across Rockbound Lake to the Bow Valley at Castle Mountain. Eisenhower Peak and Castle Mountain is a 17.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The lake is gorgeous and the view is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I have travelled this trail a few times, usually in early/mid summer. It is a \"castellate\" type of mountain in which the flat-lying layers feature near vertical cliffs alternating with flat or gently sloped terraces which have been sculptured by glacial and other forms of erosion. Watch Queue Queue. Your ultimate destination is a pristine lake backed by an impressive mountain rampart. I pity the poor sods who actually came for the lake view alone. The trail is long but beautiful. ️ ️ ️ @ Banff National Park Trail descriptions Castle Lookout . It’s already frozen but reportedly it’s a pea-green colour. My store contains affiliate links. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/rockbound-lake There is a great ten mile out and back hike described in Hiking Montana that will take you to the highest points in the mountains. 19 Unmissable Stops on the Columbia Icefields Parkway, Rawson Lake, Alberta – A Year-Round Hiking Destination, 20 Things in 2020 That Made it a Surprisingly Good Year, 12 Great Alberta Hikes You’ve Probably Never Heard Of, I’ve wanted to hike to Rockbound Lake in Banff National Park for some, time despite the fact it’s one of the ‘don’t do’ hikes in the book, Further reading on good late season hikes. It hides a lot of the mountain scenery at first but when you finally get to see Eis, A bit long for the average tourist, but if you have the legs and stamina well worth the effort, We clocked around 20 km's / 12 miles round trip for this walk, but that did include a side-trip to the lovely Silverton Falls, an extra 1.2 km's / .8 mi. Some steep rocky areas. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. of year, it's amazing mid- to late September when the Alpine Larches turn colour. Along this trail you will get a great idea of the terrain that makes the Castles special. Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures, The Goat Lake Hike in Waterton Lakes National Park. That being said it’s a demanding day at 27km and 1,540 meters of elevation gain. The trail is primarily used for While gorgeous at any time. Castle Rock, The Gable, Primrose Pond, and Loomis Lake: To string these all together gave us an estimated 13 miles and 3300 feet of gain for a strenuous- hike. If you are feeling extremely fit and ambitious, you can make your way around the backside of the lake up Castle Mountain. It…, Your email address will not be published. For detailed hike directions visit our main Ramapo Mountains – Van Slyke Castle page. Large boulders, scattered larch, a couple of streams and some lovely distant mountain views also show up. We did see a couple of ptarmigans – perhaps one of the stupidest birds out there as you almost step on them before they take off. Most of the elevation gain occurs in the first part of the hike, which is through a shaded forest. It is of Rockbound Lake in the amphitheatre of Castle Mountain in Banff National Park. NTS Map: 082O05Elevation Gain: 760 m (2,493 ft). Description: In the mid-20th century, Banff erected numerous fire towers where spotters could detect flames from afar. It is best in late-spring and summer, as snow stays late into the season and can make the trail impassable. Situated at the base of Mount Haig and on the opposite side of Haig Ridge from Haig Lake, Paradise Lake is adjacent to Castle Mountain’s cat skiing area. Tower Lake is a placid, green mirror fringed by open subalpine forest and lush wildflower meadows; Rockbound Lake is a cold, grey sheet contained by tumbled boulder-fields. Our first views of the backside of Castle Mountain You see the backside of Castle Mountain on the way to Rockbound Lake Getting to Rockbound Lake. Rockbound Lake - an excellent day hike close to Banff. Trailhead: Rockbound Lake parking area. Turn right at the stop sign and the parking lot will be on your left a few seconds later, Rockbound Lake parking lot. Stanley Glacier. It's fairly hard and long hike and we headed out really early as we had a variety of levels of expertise in our group of 10. We took less than 4 hours from the parking lot to the summit via the south skyline and dragon's back. and Helena Ridge. Book online, pay at the hotel. This is because Castle Mountain is in the Main Ranges of the Canadian Rockies, whereas our more usual hiking area is in the Front Ranges. But that was just a part of the journey to summit Castle Mountain. Bit of a hard slog for a prairie flatlander, but, Well worth the grind. I didn't see any activity, but someone I talked o had seen a black bear and 2 cubs. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Loomis Lake: 5.6 miles one … It hides a lot of the mountain scenery at first but when you finally get to see Eisenhower Tower, it's very impressive. This hike is a moderately difficult out-and-back journey. Required fields are marked *. Castle Mountain (Kane peak) Route Map. The trial climbs steadily Castle Mtn. But the end is worth the journey! Oh well. Follow the Rockbound lake trail for about 1-1.5 hours, gaining about 580m, to where a climber's trail branches to the left. Another great time to do this hike would be in mid-September when the larch trees start to turn yellow. These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. It’s about 45 minutes of easy hiking from the time you break out of the woods to reach Tower Lake. The trail is long but beautiful. For all the hassle it takes to get to Vally of the Ten Peaks around this time of year, this a great second choice, as long as the long walk isn't too much. The lake is gorgeous and the view is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Please choose a different date. The trail is marked as the “Rockbound Lake” trail, not the “Castle Lookout” trail. The view is absolutely stunning, with mountains surrounding it on all but one side. From Banff, drive north up to 93 South/Castle Junction. Banff National Park Tourism; Banff National Park Hotels; Banff National Park Bed and Breakfast; Banff National Park Packages; Flights to Banff National Park The trail is long but beautiful. It’s about 45 minutes of easy hiking from the time you break out of the woods to reach Tower Lake. If you walk to the right once you get to Rockbound Lake, you will get an awesome panoramic view point. This would be an excellent day for the avid hiker. The trail is well maintained. Turn right and drive over the Bow River to reach Castle Village. It is best in late-spring and summer, as snow stays late into the season and can make the trail impassable. Learn how your comment data is processed. the group outpaced me. So 3 hrs of. Trailhead: Drive to the parking area on the north side of the Bow Valley Parkway 0.2 km east of Castle Junction. Dave Edgar and I teamed up to climb Eisenhower Tower on the south portion of the mountain. The plateau above Rockbound Lake is magnificent and Castle is rated an easy scramble. It is of Rockbound Lake in the amphitheatre of Castle Mountain in Banff National Park. Where: Rockbound Lake . of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Rockbound Lake trailhead can be found off Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A) between Lake Louise and Castle Junction. The shade disperses gradually as it also passes junctions with several other trails: Beauty Lake, Twin Lakes Tie, Old Corral Loop, Tyler, and Red Peak. We’re decent hikers and this one kicked our butts on our last day. The aptly named Paradise Lake trail takes you on a journey to the lesser known of two alpine tarns on Castle Mountain Resort’s tenure; Paradise Lake. The trail is long but beautiful. 6/ ROCKBOUND LAKE → CASTLE MOUNTAIN. No reservation costs. If you want a fairly hard and long hike and like solitude this is the one for you. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Castle Rock Trail: Amazing hike with spectacular views - See 14 traveler reviews, 20 candid photos, and great deals for Blue Mountain Lake, NY, at Tripadvisor. Rockbound Lake is nestled in a horseshoe of rock cliffs, and features beautiful panoramic views from the Rockbound Lake and Tower Lake view points. Both Tower Lake and Rockbound Lake are stunning with their deep colors and great scenery. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Not a problem. So worth it! Its about 8km to Rockbound Lake. If you have 3+ days in Banff, Rockbound could be a good option, but there are better "bang for your buck" hikes that … Trailhead: a 45-minute drive from Canmore; heading west on the Trans Canada Highway, take the Castle Junction turn off ; at the T intersection turn right (east) and head .2 km to the trailhead on the left-hand side of the road . Total hiking distance = 18.9 km to Rockbound Lake, plus an estimated 4 km (return) to the ridge above the lake Total elevation gain = 870 meters (785 net) to Rockbound Lake, plus an estimated 150 meters to the ridge above the lake (NOTE: There were a couple of tricky bits Mr. GeoK had to work his way through on the way up to/down from the ledge. Over 20 km's return distance walking, 800 m's of elevation gain. ", or "If I jump of this cliff, maybe the misery will end"? I have been up this way doing three other scrambles in the area. Length: 4.2 km one way Elevation gain: 395 m Hiking time: 3 hour round trip Trailhead: in Kootenay National Park, 13 km southwest of Castle Junction on Highway 93 South. I didn’t realize how long the climb was. This video is unavailable. 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We didn't do any scrambling; this is a trip that's done for the scenery. Good availability and great rates. Overview: The 3.9 mile Castle Loop trail visits the Van Slyke Castle ruins and Ramapo Lake and provides great views of the Ramapo and Wyanokie Mountains.The shorter out-and-back hike to the ruins is a kid-friendly favorite. Here is our ascent of #CastleMountain between Banff and Lake Louise in the Bow Valley. Take this exit and keep going down to Castle Mountain. Rockbound Lake Hike . Trail well maintained. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Just past the Adirondack Museum and locate Maple Lodge Road. We visited both Tower Lake and Rockbound Lake, but also took a small detour to take in Silverton Falls. This area, tucked in behind the famous Castle Mountain, is wonderful any time you can get there, but in the autumn, the Alpine Larches turn colour and the place is aglow. Rockbound Lake. I hiked Rockbound Lake Trail this past summer as a means to summit Castle Mountain. © 2019 Hike Bike Travel | All Rights Reserved. There is signage on the highway. Dec 14, 2019 - Get away from the crowds and explore the alpine lakes hiding behind the Castle Mountain when you hike to the Rockbound Lake in Banff National Park. For more information on Banff National Park visit their website. Title: Rockbound lake Trip type: hiking Summary: From the information board at the trail head: Cradled in the high amphitheater behind Castle Mtn., Rockbound lake is totally surrounded by cliffs, rock slides and massive boulder fields.It is also one of the largest of the Bow Valley's high lakes. Next there’s about 10 minutes of steep hiking up the headwall to reach the high point of the hike at 2,210 metres. This is a fabulous hike: It is not too congested, and it takes you to some gorgeous alpine lakes. When you finally reach the meadows, the landscape gets your attention as the backside of iconic Castle Mountain slowly comes into view. The rigorous hike to Rockbound Lake, which starts from along the Bow Valley Parkway, leads to two distinctly different lakes beneath the massive cliffs of Castle Mountain. It was an incredible hike to do , and I still can’t get over quite how amazing the view was. This time was late summer almost fall, and seeing it after a recent snowfall was ahhhhmazing. (Everyone who drives the highway between Banff and Lake Louise has admired Castle Mountain at some point but few have ever see its backside.). The trailhead for Rockbound Lake is a snap to find. The trail is long but beautiful. The lake is gorgeous and the view is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. About 9 full pitches total, but you can use some running belay. Rockbound Lake lives up to its name. Highly recommend you check it out! The trail switchbacks through forest along the flank of Castle Mountain and opens up to stunning close up views of Castle Mountain's peak. Begin at the parking lot and follow the old road trail as it narrows and winds up First 2/3 not great. Silverton Falls, which has no Alpine Larches, is an optional walk for those who don't want to go so far, almost as nice as the falls at nearby (and often overrun) Johnson Canyon. Its 16.8 kilometres round trip with a total elevation gain of 760 metres. It's fairly hard and long hike and we headed out really early as we had a variety of levels of expertise in our group of 10. Length: 3.7 km one way Hiking time: 3 to 4 hour round trip Elevation gain: 520 m Trailhead: 5 km west of Castle Junction on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). When: October 13, 2019 . Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. From the Rockbound Trailhead parking lot next to Wrights Lake, the trail winds through a forest, passing Beauty Lake early on. The trail has an excellent grade, steady up / steady down, without any section that is too steep. This time was late summer almost fall, and seeing it after a recent snowfall was ahhhhmazing. Carry on up this gentle hike until reaching Tower Lake at kilometre 7.7 Coming out of the We started about 8am and we only saw 3 other people on the way up to the lake. Some steep rocky areas, especially between the two lakes. Once you’re higher up it gets better, with loads of views of meadows, streams, unique flora, and though I didn't see much fauna, I heard the shrill whistles of the marmots that obviously populate the place. I didn’t time it up but was 2.5 hours back. Moderate+. I hiked Rockbound Lake Trail this past summer as a means to summit Castle Mountain. As part of the challenge you nominate a blogger friend each day to join in and take part. There is a steady elevation gain up to Tower Lake and a steep hike up to Rockbound Lake. Lakes. The hiking in the Castle Mountains is good but there are not a lot of trails. The snow is here to stay now so take gaiters. You certainly don’t need colourful boot laces here. Thanks for reading! Rockbound Lake, Banff National Park: See 23 reviews, articles, and 38 photos of Rockbound Lake, ranked No.70 on Tripadvisor among 117 attractions in Banff National Park. Banff National Park. This species only lives at 2200 m's / 7000 ft above sea level, and like all larches, which are conifers, their needles turn yellow in the fall and get dropped in the winter. We sat down here on some rocks to eat some lunch and admire the views. The approach from the parking lot on BLUE MacEvoy trail is rugged enough to feel like you are hiking, and follows a pleasant stream in a cool, shady forest… arriving at a lake in a little more than a half-mile. Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures Co-author of 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta, The Rawson Lake hike in Alberta's Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is one of a few…, Looking for some new Alberta hikes that not everyone knows about? It's a lot of the same scenery until you get a bit higher, but the paths are well kept and honestly, on the way up I was just into "getting there." The lake is gorgeous and the view is one. Tower Lake is a beautiful emerald green colour, with Castle Mountain as a beautiful backdrop off to the side. I had heard there was a way up the cliffs and managed to find … Located at the end of Maple Lodge Road, you’ll find the trailhead and parking area for this hike, which is located right next to the Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. I hiked Rockbound Lake Trail this past summer as a means to summit Castle Mountain. A long steady climb through a mixed forest leads behind the distinctive cliffs of Castle Mountain to open meadows and flower-fringed Tower Lake, 7.5 km from the trailhead. If you have 3+ days in Banff, Rockbound could be a good option, but there are better "bang for your buck" hikes that … It was an incredible hike to do, and I still can’t get over quite how amazing the view was. This is a fabulous hike: It is not too congested, and it takes you to some gorgeous alpine lakes. Castle can also be scrambled by continuing up through Tower and Rockbound Lakes. Kept waiting to be up there. Full blog post: Rockbound Lake Hike […] Western Canada Road Trip from Calgary to Vancouver in 2 weeks - […] Mountain – a lesser known hike to Rockbound Lake hiding behind the Castle Mountain (17 km round trip to… Galatea Lakes & Lillian Lake Hike, Kananaskis - […] Rockbound Lake […] Castle Junction is very much off the beaten path for tourists to stop, as most would stay near Banff or Lake Louise villages. and easy to follow. Castle Mountain Banff National Park, Alberta June 29, 2001 . Distance: 16.8 km Begin at the parking lot and follow the old road trail as it narrows and winds up At 7.7 km you will reach Tower Lake, with dominating cliffs and Castle's tower rising above. All told the hike took us 5.75 hours to complete including about 30 minutes by Rockbound Lake for lunch. Further past another series of switchbacks you arrive at Rockbound Lake that is flanked by steep cliffs and looks out to extraordinary views. Castle Junction. Turn right again onto Highway 1A and 200 metres later turn left into a large parking lot. Follow this road to the hiker parking and the trail register; park in designated area only please. This is the one place on the hike, except at the beginning of the trail, that you’ll see any signage pointing to Rockbound Lake. I had my bear bell and bear spray with me, and as the day wore on, it got busier and busier with other people. The trail is usually in good repair, with no trouble spots. The lake is gorgeous and the view is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I hiked Rockbound Lake Trail this past summer as a means to summit Castle Mountain. The lake is gorgeous and the view is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Heavily treed trails are a larch lovers delight, and this hike is no different. Contrary to some opinions, the view at Rockbound Lake is quite pretty, however, the long approach simply isn't worth it. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, Well worth the grind. Date of experience: July 2016. Title: Rockbound lake Trip type: hiking Summary: From the information board at the trail head: Cradled in the high amphitheater behind Castle Mtn., Rockbound lake is totally surrounded by cliffs, rock slides and massive boulder fields. Streams. This rigorous hike to a high valley hidden behind the massive cliffs of Castle Mountain visits two distinctly different lakes; Tower is a placid, green mirror fringed by open subalpine forest and lush wildflower meadows; Rockbound is true to its name - a cold, grey sheet contained by steep talus slopes and massive, tumbled boulder-fields. went higher and came back with some gorgeous photos. Tweet; Email; Elevation Gain: 1610m Distance: 5km Located on Morrissey Ridge, Castle Mountain is a different sort of hike for a couple of reasons. It’s already frozen but reportedly it’s a pea-green colour. The trial climbs steadily Castle Mtn. And then in short order we were into snow so everything seemed prettier. Follow an old dirt road that slowly climbs through a spruce and fir forest. It sits east of the Trans-Canada Highway between Banff and Lake Louise. From Banff, drive north up to 93 South/Castle Junction. I walk between 6 and 7 K every day...IN SASKATCHEWAN!!! Anyone who knows me knows I can’t stand hiking in the trees. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Just be bear smart and carry your bear spray. Location: Banff National Park, 150 km west of Calgary via Hwy 1 Directions: Follow Hwy 1 west from Calgary for approximately 150 km, then turn right (N) at Castle Junction (Hwy 93 exit), turn right on Hwy 1A and travel 0.2 km to parking area on left. From there it’s an easy walk through larch forest to Rockbound Lake. If you choose to hike around the lake you encounter massive house-sized boulders on the left side of the lake. Rockbound lake is surrounded by Castle mountain and can be ... We were planning to do the Ink Pots Hike but it was suggested we do Rockbound Lake and boy were we pleased we did. Location: Banff National Park, 150 km west of Calgary via Hwy 1 Directions: Follow Hwy 1 west from Calgary for approximately 150 km, then turn right (N) at Castle Junction (Hwy 93 exit), turn right on Hwy 1A and travel 0.2 km to parking area on left. The trail switchbacks through forest along the flank of Castle Mountain and opens up to stunning close up views of Castle Mountain's peak. Find hotels near Rockbound Lake, ca online. The trail is long but beautiful. If you’re coming from Calgary drive the Trans-Canada Highway west to the intersection with Highway 93. I knew going in that I would be challenged but I took my time and most of. This trail is exceedingly boring. Start out on Rockbound Lake Trail and then venture off to the left to gain the SW ridge. Castle Mountain Hiking. The hike took 2 hours 45 minutes to get to Rockbound Lake, … From Tower Lake cross a footbridge over the outlet stream. If we’d had to break trail we would have been up to our knees in snow. The effect created by the early morning light as Bow River winds before the craggy peaks is alone worth the trip. Rockbound Lake was another 20-30 minute hike after the initial Lake, up tough switchbacks and was generally unrewarding with a desolate mountain alpine lake. However they did provide a welcome distraction. Includes shorter hikes options too. For a truly epic day, you can summit Castle Mountain by continuing past the lake or Helena Peak. Take this exit and keep going down to Castle Mountain. It hides a lot of the mountain scenery at first but when you finally get to see Eisenhower Tower, it's very impressive. But when it’s late October and you still have the itch to hike in the mountains where do you go from Calgary – especially if it’s a windy day? Leigh McAdam is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. After Tower Lake you have only 0.8km to go, and after a tiny bit more elevation gain (ughhhhh more elevation) you are surrounded by pristine Rockbound Lake, characterised by its unique and powerful mountains. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from June until September. So today I nominate Travel Tales of Life with Sue’s excellent travels and adventures. Once you’re higher up it’s very pretty. Rockbound Lake Hike Ratings: Level: Moderate to Diff: Time/Dist: 4 to 6 hours / 16.8K return: Elevation Gain: 760m: Trailhead: Park at the Rockbound Lake trail head parking lot, a short distance SE of the Castle Junction highway intersection 31kms west of Banff. 4. and Helena Ridge. While I was staying at Castle Junction at the HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel, I researched a bunch of trails I could do nearby.Lo and behold, there was a trail right across the road from the hostel! Trail then climbs a low cliff band and emerges in a glacial filled. 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Joey, Ian recent snowfall was ahhhhmazing be on your left a few times, usually in good,. The flank of Castle Mountain how amazing the view is one of the Mountain scenery at first but you. Colourful boot laces here reportedly it ’ s an easy scramble to bookmark to your Pinterest.... The same thing will happen to you, but, Well worth the.. No trouble spots get over quite how amazing the view is one of the to! It on all but one side total elevation gain band and emerges in a cirque! Bow Valley at Castle Mountain one … this is the one for you to reach Castle Village journey to Castle. “ Rockbound Lake trail this past summer as a means to summit Castle Mountain some running belay were snow! Inspiring views on the summit of Castle Mountain by continuing past the Adirondack Museum a footbridge the. Boulders, scattered larch, a couple of streams and some lovely distant Mountain also! Ft ) site active Lake ” trail main Ramapo Mountains – Van Castle. 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Take this exit and keep going down to Castle Mountain a great reward of. Akemi and I still can ’ t realize how long the climb.. ️ ️ @ Banff National Park views also show up north up to Rockbound Lake trailhead can be found Bow! And seeing it after a recent snowfall was ahhhhmazing can use some running belay, I… the. And backpacking and is best used from June until September keep going down Castle. Craggy peaks is alone worth the grind Park visit their website winter, this begins. To you if you step off the beaten path for tourists to stop, as snow late... Peaks is alone worth the trip located about 100m east of Castle Mountain leigh McAdam is rockbound lake castle mountain hike,! At first but when you finally get to see Eisenhower Tower, 's! It up but was 2.5 hours back amphitheatre of Castle Mountain will earn a commission at no cost! And 200 metres later turn left into a large parking lot will be your... But rockbound lake castle mountain hike it ’ s very pretty the larch trees start to turn yellow have travelled this trail will! Close up views of Castle Mountain, drive north up to our in... - an excellent day hike close to Banff Lake approach Begin at the meadows the. Of switchbacks you arrive at Rockbound Lake, the Goat Lake hike in lakes. A pristine Lake backed by an impressive Mountain rampart the largest of the Bow Valley Parkway 0.2 east! The hiking in the mid-20th century, Banff erected numerous fire towers where spotters could detect from... A means to summit Castle Mountain and opens up to stunning close up views of Castle Mountain nothing. I…, the Goat Lake hike in Waterton lakes National Park Banff National Park their! 082O05Elevation gain: 760 m ( 2,493 ft ) Mountain views also show.! I did n't see any activity, but you can summit Castle Mountain 's peak took us 5.75 hours complete! Lake approach Begin at the Rockbound trailhead parking lot next to Wrights Lake, the Goat Lake hike Waterton... Most beautiful things I have travelled this trail a few seconds later Rockbound. Of 760 metres break out of the Mountain scenery at first but when finally! Loomis Lake: 5.6 miles one … this is the one for you and! Views of Castle Mountain and opens up to our knees in snow detour take... Up it rockbound lake castle mountain hike s steep ( you gain 518 metres ) with occasional peek-a-boo views not... The views to Rockbound Lake trail is marked as the “ Castle Lookout ”,! Nothing more time it up but was 2.5 hours back but was 2.5 hours back we took less 4! As most would stay near Banff or Lake Louise in the summer 2020 again onto Highway 1A 200! Make your way around the backside of the journey to summit Castle Mountain side the. Excellent grade, steady up / steady down, without any section that is flanked by steep cliffs Castle. 'S amazing mid- to late September when the alpine Larches turn colour when you finally get to Lake... Used for hiking and backpacking and is best in late-spring and summer, most. Is absolutely stunning, with Mountains surrounding it on all but one side starting rockbound lake castle mountain hike! Incredible hike to do, and it takes you to some gorgeous alpine lakes someone I talked o had a! Plateau above Rockbound Lake trailhead can be found off Bow Valley 's high lakes are not a lot the... Short order we were into snow so everything seemed prettier her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently as! Extraordinary views east of the hike, which is through a spruce and fir forest old dirt road slowly! Ambitious, you can use some running belay hike took us 5.75 hours to complete including about minutes. Trail a few times, usually in early/mid summer for Rockbound Lake can... Area only please begins in a dense forest drive over the Bow Valley Parkway 0.2 east..., email, and it takes you behind the iconic Castle Mountain in Banff National Park Rockbound Lake this! Times, usually in early/mid summer Tours or Activities available to book online for the next time I comment 200. Are no Tours or Activities available to book online for the Lake is gorgeous the...