JASPER NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 333

• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: Sunwapta Falls, 58 kilometers (36 miles) south of the town of Jasper
The trail to this seldom-visited lake straddling the Continental Divide gains little elevation,
making it popular with mountain-bike riders experienced in backcountry travel. After
crossing the canyon below Sunwapta Falls, the trail meanders along the east bank of the
Athabasca River for 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), then crosses it. Beyond the main bridge
you'll need to ford the braided Chaba River, then continue southwest along the river flats
for six kilometers (3.7 miles) to the east end of Fortress Lake. The lake lies within Brit-
ish Columbia in Hamber Provincial Park. Its shores are difficult to traverse because they
lack established trails. At the end of the trail, Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat (250/
344-2639, www.fortresslake.com ) provides cabin accommodations, mostly for anglers
who fly in by helicopter from Golden, but hikers are also welcome.
Geraldine Lakes
• Length: 5 kilometers/3.1 miles (2 hours) one-way
• Elevation gain: 410 meters/1,350 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: Geraldine Fire Road, off Highway 93A, 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) from
Athabasca Falls
The first of the four Geraldine Lakes is an easy two-kilometer (1.2-mile) hike from the end
of the 5.5-kilometer (3.4-mile) Geraldine Fire Road. The forest-encircled lake reflects the
north face of Mount Fryatt (3,361 meters/11,030 feet). The trail continues along the north-
west shore, climbs steeply past a scenic 100-meter-high (330-foot-high) waterfall, and tra-
verses some rough terrain where the trail becomes indistinct; follow the cairns. At the end
of the valley is another waterfall. The trail climbs east of the waterfall to a ridge above the
second of the lakes, five kilometers (3.1 miles) from the trailhead. Although the trail offi-
cially ends here, it does continue to a campground at the south end of the lake. Two other
lakes, accessible only by bushwhacking, are farther up the valley.