Hiking
The Crypt Lake Hike while challenging, is one of the most rewarding hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park. Voted "Canada's Best Hike" in 1981, Crypt Lake truly lives up to its name. The hike is accessed via the local ferry service, and begins with a gradual climb through shaded forests. As you progress into the hanging valley, the forest begins to thin out, and you begin the strenuous section of the hike. Immediately after Burnt Rock Falls, the hike steadily climbs up onto the open alpine mountain side. During this section of the hike, you will be rewarding with striking views of the Crypt Valley as well as that of the cascading Crypt Falls. After hiking along the mountain side, you arrive at the Crypt Lake Campground. This camping area was provided for overnight backpackers and was equipped with an outhouse and fireplace. However, the campground is now permanently closed and is no longer equipped with a fireplace. After continuing over the alpine creek adjacent to the campground you follow the trail towards the ledge and tunnel. The ledge is about 50 cm wide, and continues over to a steel ladder and access to the tunnel. For nearly 100 ft you crawl through a natural mountain tunnel before arriving at the cable tranverse. This section of the hike involes a scramble along a sheer cliff, with the assistance of a steel cable. After the scramble you make your way through a shaded forest before arriving at Crypt Lake. The hike is a total of 17.2 km round trip, with a gradual 2,300-foot elevation gain.
Read more about this topic: Crypt Lake Trail
Famous quotes containing the word hiking:
“The westerner, normally, walks to get somewhere that he cannot get in an automobile or on horseback. Hiking for its own sake, for the sheer animal pleasure of good condition and brisk exercise, is not an easy thing for him to comprehend.”
—State of Utah, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)