BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 124

1966, relatively late for mountaineering firsts. The lake is a worthy destination in itself
(allow yourself four hours round-trip from the trailhead). For those completing the en-
tire loop, continue beyond the lake into an open avalanche area that affords views across
Paradise Valley. Look and listen for pikas and marmots among the boulders. The trail then
passes through Horseshoe Meadow, crosses Paradise Creek, and heads back down the val-
ley. Keep to the left at all trail crossings, and you'll quickly arrive at a series of waterfalls
known as the Giant Steps. From the base of these falls, it is eight kilometers (five miles)
back to the trailhead.
MM Larch Valley
• Length: 2.9 kilometers/1.8 miles (60 minutes) one-way
• Elevation gain: 400 meters/1,310 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: Moraine Lake, 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Lake Louise Drive
In fall, when the larch trees have turned a magnificent gold and the sun is shining, few
spots in the Canadian Rockies can match the beauty of this valley, but don't expect to
find much solitude (and don't be too disappointed if the trail is closed in fall—it often is
because of wildlife). Although the most popular time for visiting the valley is fall, it is
a worthy destination all summer, when the open meadows are filled with colorful wild-
flowers. The trail begins just past Moraine Lake Lodge and climbs fairly steeply, with oc-
casional glimpses of Moraine Lake below. After reaching the junction of the Eiffel Lake
Trail, keep right, passing through an open forest of larch and into the meadow beyond. The
range of larch is restricted within the park, and this is one of the few areas where they are
prolific. Mount Fay (3,235 meters/10,615 feet) is the dominant peak on the skyline, rising
above the other mountains that make up the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Sentinel Pass
• Length: 5.8 kilometers/3.6 miles (2-3 hours) one-way
• Elevation gain: 725 meters/2,380 feet
• Rating: moderate/difficult
• Trailhead: Moraine Lake
Keen hikers should consider continuing through the open meadows of Larch Valley to
Sentinel Pass (2,608 meters/8,560 feet), one of the park's highest trail-accessible passes.
The length and elevation gain listed are from Moraine Lake. Once in Larch Valley, you're