WHY HAVE I NOT HIKED HERE BEFORE? Sunshine Meadows. Banff National Park
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2022
- August 16/2022 Summer Hike
WHY HAVE I NOT HIKED HERE BEFORE?
Today we are in Banff National Park, and we will be hiking the Rock Isle Lake Trail. One thing we have to do before we start the hike is take the gondola up to Sunshine Village. Then we will ride up the Standish Chairlift and begin our hike. Even though we start in Alberta, most of this hike will be in British Columbia. The total trail is 9.2 kilometers with an elevation gain of 230 meters.
Once we get off the Standish Chairlift, we will be at an elevation of 2420 meters above Sea Level. It’s a short walk from here to the Standish Viewing Deck. Here we have a gorgeous view overlooking Sunshine Meadows and the 3 lakes we will be hiking to. They are Rock Isle lake, Grizzly Lake and Laryx Lake. This is the nicest viewpoint I have ever been to. From the lookout the trail will start to descend. We found ourselves immediately surrounded by wildflowers and Larch Trees. As the trail weaves down, you will have beautiful mountain views. Walk slowly here so you can take it all in. You will reach a junction in the trail, so keep proceeding straight towards Rock Isle Lake. Soon Rock Isle Lake will be on your right, this is one spot to stop to get some beautiful photos. At 1.5k you will have arrived at the Rock Isle Viewpoint, another great spot for photos. They also have numerous benches here to sit and relax. Now you will have to backtrack a bit to get to the other side of Rock Isle Lake. Just to let you know there are a couple outhouses on this trail, and quite a few benches to rest. Now you will be back at the junction, and you want to go left here. Make sure you stop at all the lookout spots as they each offer some spectacular views in all directions. At the end of Rock Isle lake the trail will now take you towards Grizzly Lake. There is a little platform on your right. Take this to another viewpoint and you will also see a nice little waterfall. Now you will go down a couple sets of stairs into a meadow area bursting with wildflowers. The trail continues to descend. Soon you will cross a little creek on a bridge and then just past the bridge is a little waterfall on your left. At 3.1k the trail becomes a one way trail. Take the trail on the right, this is a loop trail around Grizzly Lake and Laryx Lake. The second outhouse is along here. The trail is now mostly flat and starts to open up into another meadow. At 3.5k you will have arrived at Grizzly Lake. The trail will take you down the left side of the lake. After the lake the trail will take you back into the trees. And once again more beautiful wildflowers. At 4.3k you have arrived at Simpson viewpoint. Here you will get a spectacular view looking down the valley surrounded by mountains. After a short little walk, you will arrive at Laryx Lake. The trail will take you around the right side of the lake. At 4.9k there is a nice spot to rest looking over the lake. You will continue walking the lake and then back into the trees. At 5.9k you will meet up with the main trail where you started the one way loop. Now get ready, its uphill all the way back to Rock Isle Lake. Once you get back to Rock Isle Lake you have a decision to make. If you take the trail left, you will be hiking back up to the Standish Chairlift, and you can ride it back down. If you take the trail to the right, you will walk back around the lake and take the Rock Isle Road back down to Sunshine Village. It is about a kilometer longer, than hiking back up to the chairlift, but it is 130 meters less in elevation gain. I took the trail right this time. The previous week I was here with my family, and we hiked back up to the chairlift. And the bonus of going this way, you can enjoy Rock Isle Lake one more time. Once you get past the lake it is 1.8k back to Sunshine Village. This part of the trail is wide open, so you get some great views of the meadows and surrounding mountains. Once back at the village you have a nice gondola ride back down to your vehicle.
This year Sunshine Meadows was open from June 24/2022 will close on September 11/2022. It may change from year to year.
This is my 84th video. Thank you very much for watching. If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up. If you would like to see my other hiking videos, subscribe to my channel, LIVE ON ALBERTA. I feature over 80 different hiking videos. CHEERS
Thank you,
Cary Mason
#hikingalberta #canadianrockies #travelalberta #banff
Email - liveonalberta@gmail.com
Instagram - / carywmason
Wonderful video!
I was totally blown away by it's beauty. Before this I had only been up there in the winter skiing. Thanks for watching and commenting😁😁😁
Inspired by this video did this yesterday. Incredible
That's awesome, I was there again a few weeks ago. Had to go back this year😁
A must do next time we're in Banff for sure, that 60 bucks a person stings a bit though.
Gorgeous area up in the meadows👍
A little pricey, but the trade off is that there are not nearly as many people there as you would find at Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. Next year I plan to go back and hike further to Citadel Pass😁
I hiked around Sunshine Meadows on September 11 2022 I'm planning to go back this summer in July hopefully this time BC is not on fire again it was very smoky in the Sunshine Meadows. there's the trail up there that connects the Assiniboine Lodge I would love to do that hike then take the helicopter out from the lodge into canmore if possible.
I am definately going back this summer to explore it further as well. It's so beautiful up there😁 Thanks for watching and commenting.
It’s Paradise up there. 🏔️😍
That word describes it perfectly😊😊😊
I love the view of the lakes in the mountains. Looks like a great place to hike! Your videos are outstanding! Great job creating, filming and editing! The commentaries are so helpful!
This hike was definitely worth the cost of the gondola ride up. When I was a kid I used to ski there all the time. I had never seen it in the summer.
This has been on my list a while now. I need to get up there next summer.
Right on😁 They open up sometime in June, depending on the snow. This year they were open until Sept 11. Thank you for watching and commenting.
I have done this hike twice. Loved it!
Me to in 1 week😁 Definately going back next year to explore more.
I heard the UCP and Danielle Smith want to build a coal mine smack dab in the middle of the park, right beside that pristine lake!
OMG, that is crazy. They should not be allowed to even think about destroying beautiful places like this😢😢😢
Love this easy hike Carey. Did it with my wife years ago. Nice video!
Ya I really enjoyed it. Such a beautiful place.😁😁😁
Cary, I did this beautiful hike with friends yesterday. We loved it :) Thanks for sharing - I can now share with family and friends too
That's awesome, now they will be able to see what you did. I hope I captured it ok🤣🤣🤣
Dad and I did this one a few years ago. We were stopped from going to the third lake and farther because of a bear in the area. We were really wanting to go back, but then the pandemic happened, and this year we just didn't get the chance to go. We were hoping to go sometime this month, but today is the last day, and we just can't make it. It's absolutely on our list for next year though.
I am definately going up next year again, there are a few more day hikes I would like to do up there. Such a magical place.👍👍👍
Back on this vid again, as we are going this week! Hopefully no bears this time, and that the smoke isn't too bad!
@EmmaLead11 I was there a few weeks ago and it was gorgeous, the weather was a little chilly. I just love this area, have fun😁😁😁
This has gone in to my bucket list. I love watching your videos, keep it up.
That's great🤣🤣🤣 lots more to come. Thanks for watching and commenting. They close on Sunday, but next year they open in June sometime, they were late opening this year due to the snow pack.
Dose anyone know if you are allowed to swim in the lakes ? I like the cold water ha
They have the first lake roped off, so I am sure they don't want anyone in the water. Not sure about the second or third lake though🤔