Crandell Lake Trail

After hiking Carthew-Alderson Trail yesterday, perhaps Waterton Lakes' premier hike, we looked for something a little more moderate today and, after consulting the rangers at the visitor center, we settled for the Crandell Lake Trail. The are two approaches to Crandell Lake that are presented in the park Visitor Guide both of which take about 1+ hour. But, we decided on a longer, bike trail approach that followed the Akamina Parkway on the valley wall above the road.

A look-back down Cameron Creek Valley at Waterton Lake, Mount Vimy backdropping the lake and the Akamina Parkway running through the valley.

In the spring run-off, this device holds back trees from entering a culvert beneath the Akamina Parkway.

The channel of the falls that seems pretty low on water right now.

Along the trail there was a bridge constructed to cross this cascade. This is looking downstream.

Our lunch spot on Crandell Lake.

Lunch view - Mount Galwey, toward the north, and...

Mount Crandell to the southeast.

On the hike back, nearing Waterton Lake and traveling through an aspen grove that is in a protected valley. (If you click on the picture to make it large, you can see the blue lake through the trees.)

Hike statistics:

Length - 9.5 miles

Elevation gain - 985 feet (200 floors on the Fitbit)

Duration - 4 hours, 54 minutes