After doing the hike, its one of the scariest hikes in the world in my book. In 2018, we decided to settle down in one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Canadian Rockies. At the end of the hike, hikers are rewarded with a turquoise blue lake perfect for a chilly dip on a hot day. Anyone that has spent time in the wilderness or mountains can speak to the fact your temperature can fluctuate a lot on a hike. One of the best hikes so far. If you have some Canadian Rockies hikes under your belt you wont find the Crypt Lake trail too difficult. Watch your footing and hang onto the guide cable and enjoy the unbelievable views! From the sounds of it, most will be back next year. Loved the boat ride and I could have stayed at crypt lake itself for the whole day if time allowed. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. We didnt think it was either but the marketing works. Great day! To reach the trailhead, you must first take a 15-minute ferry across Upper Waterton Lake. Enter your email address to subscribe. The view is stunning and changes throughout the hiking season. Print/PDF Map. No scramble which made all the difference. You wont regret it. The trail begins in berry bushes and forest. Stunning hike and a must do if youre in Waterton. The only via Ferratas weve done so far were in Squamish and Kanab Utah, and we loved it. This section of the trail is known for its long line of hikers as everyone falls into their own pace and separates. Return rides depart from the Crypt Landing at 4:00 and 5:30PM. After around 400 m, youll reach a fork the regular trail on the right and one via Hellroaring Falls to the left. Great hike, gradual inclines, nothing to technical. You may want to bring a fishing pole in addition to food, water, a hat, sunscreen, etc. A bit further along, a beautiful emerald lake comes into view far below on the valley floor. There are even portions of the trail that offer chains to help steady yourself while there are thousand foot drop-offs on both sides. In the basin above Crypt Falls lies Crypt Lake the destination and above the basin towers Wilson Range in Glacier National Park. Eventually the path will become rockier until you emerge from the trees at 5.5 km. There are a few spots where the path thins out on the way to the cave and the ladder is very secure. The trail flattens out as you turn up Crypt Valley,a long forested valley leading up to the infamous cliff. Distance: 6.2 Miles Time: 5 HoursBest Time to Go: June to September. Trail was great, temperature perfect for climbing. The ridge looks narrower than it is. Took 2.5 hours to get to the lake and almost 3 coming down going by hell hounds rapids. No more digging in the backpack! The southern tip of Crypt Lake skirts Canada's international border with the United States, and the trail enters the United States for less than 50 metres (160ft), meaning that hikers technically enter the United States illegally. We camped in town overnight and got to the dock early to reserve seats. Learn more on our about us page! Waterton is known as a windy place and it gets more intense the higher the altitude. This hike takes you in a straight line rather than through switchbacks. Slippery stones, knee-buckling heights, and crumbling rock earn this hike the nickname Hike of Death. This is the best way to reach the trailhead, though its also possible to paddle yourself in on a kayak or canoe if you are a strong paddlist. You will need to bring all of your supplies, including water, as none are available on the boat or on the trail. Full-day Tours from $140.15 per adult The area Full view Best nearby Attractions 9 within 6 miles Upper Waterton Lake 231 Bodies of Water Bear's Hump 159 Hiking Trails Cameron Falls 352 Waterfalls See what other travelers are saying Inspire378136 1 contribution Amazing hike! Other climbers usually tape over them but there was a new one in the cable today. It was beautiful and relaxing until got to the edge and cave. Ferry ride is only 10-15 mins, Trail is in great shape, nothing but sunshine and a great time! Perfect conditions. A beautiful day for hiking. Amazing hike!!!! Top 10 all time hikes and I can not imagine it ever leaving the list! In 2014, National Geographic rated it among the Worlds 20 Most Thrilling Trails. The only way to the trailhead is by boat, a 15 minute trip from the dock at Waterton townsite. The views are breathtaking! Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. Had an amazing day! Crypt Lake hike, Waterton Lakes National Park, Warm clothing, according to the season and forecast. In 2014 and 2017, National Geographic named it one of the world's most thrilling trails. The second comes at 1.85 miles from Crypt Landing when the trails reunite. Patricia Anne Van Tighem, who wrote a best-selling account of a bear attack that left her disfigured and in chronic pain, has died at 47. Awesome! Not far off, three mountain goats seem to watch us in amusement. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. Mountain goats like to hang out around here. Don't let the cable section intimidate you, the path gets very wide immediately after you start to climb. Airy views and another challenge awaits on the other side of the tunnel. 43 subscribers Hiking the Crypt Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. Interestingly, Waterton is the worlds first International Peace Park, twinned with Glacier National Park in the United States. (full post here). Are there any fears you are trying to overcome? Looking for a way to challenge yourself and conquer your fear of heights? Anyone who knows us knows that we have a fear of heights. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. . I needed to come to this small corner of Alberta and check it out for myself. My 14 year old daughter was able to make it, if youre worried about the cave and ledge section, its very short, and she did it no problem! It is not uncommon to see striped or least chipmunk frequenting the trail, as well as other rodent species, such as hoary marmot, yellow-bellied marmot, red squirrel and Richardson's ground squirrel. It is a little more overgrown but not terrible. Use both hands and watch your footing; its perfectly safe. But unless you suffer from extreme vertigo, the Crypt Lake hike is actually a lovely day out a good trail, beautiful views and not nearly as hair-raising as some descriptions make out. The hike starts and ends at Crypt Landing, on the shore of Upper Waterton Lake across from the small town of Waterton. They counted passenger numbers when we hiked the trail, but Id hate to be the hiker who requires the company to call SARS. $5 daily pass, $20 annual pass, or federal interagency pass required for parking at Carson Pass trailhead from May 31 to October 31. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. Crypt Falls, a stunning, 600 ft single shoot wedged between Vimy Ridge and Mount Boswell is your reward after all that exciting work. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. Take the short detour to gaze at the falls before returning to the junction and staying left for the main trail. The ladder was a little wobbly but secure. Crypt Falls is found along Crypt Lake Trail and pours down from Crypt Lake into smaller pools below. Neither had toilet paper or hand sanitizer when I visited. As there is most certainly a traffic jam on the narrow trail if you time it wrong. At the junction, stay left for Crypt Lake right is a short jaunt to view Crypt Falls as it plunges down to the lake below. It takes approximately six hours round trip, but budget a bit longer if youre not a regular hiker. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Here the trail crosses a small ledge around a meter wide that is situated over a cliff. Stay left at the Hell Roaring Falls junction to stay on the main trail. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and fishing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Heres why youll want to stay at St. Eugene Resort, The Essential Guide To Whistler Happy Hour, The Best Christmas Lights in Calgary to Visit This Season. Seth Godin, Distance: Varies depending on the summit Time: All DayBest Time to Go: April to October. All support is much appreciated! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Difficulty: Moderate Theres the tunnel, that dark splotch on the left. However, many folks with a mild fear of heights have no difficulty with this at all. Devil's Path, New York, USA Distance: 24.2 Miles Time: 2-3 Days Best Time to Go: March to October Yes, You Need To Visit Panorama Mountain Resort This Winter! We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. - Secret World, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crypt_Lake_Trail&oldid=1050981457, Wikipedia articles with style issues from November 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 October 2021, at 00:14. It is a difficult 17km/10.5 mile out and back trail that gradually climbs over 700 meters/2300ft in elevation. Nearly there now! Youll need to get off fast at Crypt Landing to have the trail to yourself. Its incredibly light, and we bring it on almost every hike in the Rockies. Waterton Lakes National Park is part of North Americas Rocky Mountains. There have been plenty of bear incidents here over the years. Nervous hikers should not worry as a fixed cable provides a reliable handhold as they move across the shelf. It really will depend on your fitness level and experience with hiking in the mountains how you deem it. From here the path returns to a stiff incline gaining about 1300 in 2 miles. Heres an in-depth look at one of the most spectacular National Park hikes, plus everything you need to know before attempting it yourself. We loved this hike, so much to see and experience. The "obstacles" like ladder, tunnel and cable are right before Crypt Lake. Most of us take the 10 minute boat ride across Upper Waterton Lake with the Shoreline Cruise company over to Crypt Landing. Its a well travelled trail, but theres still plenty of wildlife so be bear-aware! From here the trail climbs steeply up the valley side through subalpine terrain with lots of ground squirrels. Incredible a bit more challenging for a 70 yr old but we loved it. Its do-able if youre not a regular hiker, but it is challenging. This hike is accessed via ferry. In addition to Indiana Jones, Crypt Lake is also marketed as Canadas best hike and one of the most thrilling hikes in the world. Height gain: +700 m/-700 m We are fairly fit and we managed the trail well with some breaks and lots of water. The trail begins in berry bushes and forest. Born in 1958 in Calgary, Alberta, Van Tighem worked as a nurse after completing high school and the nursing program at Mount Royal College. Then come the chains across the final cliff section. Since 2004, there have been 6 deaths from falling off the side of the mountain on this trail. And some chains on the other side. On a hot summer day, you will definitely want to jump into the lake, so pack a swimsuit in your bag and find a secluded space for changing. Its an easy grade that can feel laborious, if not a little boring at times. This section of the trail can be hot with no sun protection, so ensure sun protection and be prepared for the workout. Temporary disruptions to parking areas, trails, bike paths and beach access may occur. The main trail has one last little climb over some rocks before the lake comes into view and the trail drops to meet the lake. Took about 3.5 hours getting up and 2.5 down with breaks and spent an hour or so at the lake. You'll find hiking trail info, photos and maps for some of the best hikes in the world, as well as tips and reviews. There is no drinking water or shelter on the trail, nor anywhere to buy food. Dont be afraid of the ledge, ladder or chains - they were not what I expected. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/waterton. We did this in snow and rain and saw several bear tracks, never saw or heard a bear. Although the trailhead is also approachable by hiking - a level trail on the eastern shoreline - save yourself the added 15.0 km trek and take the ferry. Boats depart starting at 8:30 AM in the summer and the pickup at Crypt Landing is at 4 PM and 5:30 PM. The section after the cave was quite challenging but at least felt safe with the cable. One thing I forgot while on the Crypt Lake hike was a bathing suit. You may want to snag tickets the night before to ensure you get on a 9 am or thereabouts departure. But its not that difficult if you are reasonably fit and looking for bragging rights. It begins with a boat ride to the trailhead, passing four waterfalls en route. Clip in and swallow that fear as you conquer these heights. The most basic principle of what to wear hiking is layering. 13. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Norway has some of the most spectacular views for those who can conquer their fear of heights. Great hike in early October. If you are one of the last hikers off the ferry, youll be at the back of the line. Would rate this hike as moderate, be prepared if you see wildlife as lots of bear sighting have been occurring. Sort by: Show more photos. The rocks can be, Keep these tips for hiking Crypt Lake for future reference. 1901 Reviews. Youll start to see Crypt Falls ahead, tumbling down the cliff face at the end of the valley between VimyRidge andMount Boswell. Hikers reach the trailhead via boat from the Waterton Township for a full day on the trail. The time restriction to catch the shuttle also adds to the difficulty as you have to make sure to catch the only shuttle out at this time of year. The lake sits high in a hanging valley in Waterton National Park, southern Alberta, right on the border of Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. I brought poles but didnt use them, Amazing trail clear of snow, there was a black bear at the lake. Along the way, there is no shortage of views with lakes, waterfalls, and towering mountains overhead. This section of the hike, offers views of the Crypt Valley as well as that of the cascading Crypt Falls. There are quite a few switchbacks and I would recommend good footwear. Via Ferrata, or iron roads, are a system of metal ladders and cables. On the upside, 150+ people tramping through the forest means youre unlikely to surprise any bears. And a tunnel through the cliff. The Crypt Lake hike is one of the most unique backcountry experiences you'll ever have, and it lies just across the Canadian border in Waterton Lakes National Park. Experience a 600 foot cascading waterfall, natural tunnel and cliff traverse. All reviews afraid of heights crypt lake boat ride amazing hike lots of water cable ladder trail obstacles dock stream 262 - 267 of 281 reviews MarkusLeanne Edmonton, Canada 27 136 Reviewed August 23, 2005 Crypt Lake hike - spectacular, but terrifying I had the pleasure of hiking up to Crypt Lake this past weekend (Aug. 21, 2005). Just take your time as any mistake could result in a plunge to your death . One is right at the trailhead and the other is in the old campground about 20-30 minutes from Crypt Lake. Next up is a ladder leading you into a natural tunnel. No rope is required, but there are some scary ridge walks, shimmies up chimneys, and crawls down ledges. To get to the falls, take a side trip through the gorge on a narrow, rustic trail. Wow! Time: 2-3 DaysBest Time to Go: April to September. The lake is surrounded by headwalls and is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy some well-earned rest. Great trail. For this reason alone we would say its more on the upper-moderate to difficult scale. Met a younger black bear right before the tunnel heading back to the ferry dock. Spectacular fall day, calm conditions for excellent mirror photos of the lake, and top notch trail surface start to finish. This is a for-profit blog and contains occasional affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you.