The trailhead is at Crypt Landing, across from the townsite on Waterton Lake. The boat, which didn't run all week, had a departure today at 10 a.m., and one tomorrow, the last ones of the season.
From the boat dock at Crypt Landing, the trail begins to immediately climb, via switchbacks, through a forest. At an opening in the trees, I took this picture of the boat departing but not before assuring us (about 30 hikers) that it would return for us at 5:30 p.m.
While still climbing through the forest we encountered the first waterfall - Twin Falls.
Once we climbed above the tree-line, the trail began a steep ascent up a rocky face and we came upon the second waterfall - Burnt Rock Falls. It kind of shoots out from an overhanging ledge.
We continued switchbacking up above the valley floor and Crypt Falls (the dark streak near the center of the picture) showed its meager, because of the time of year, cascade across the 500-foot headwall. Up above the trees you can see the summits of the Wilson Range rise all around what is Crypt Lake. Below the trees, left of the falls, is the trail across the headwall.
The trail across the headwall became something of an obstacle course. First we negotiated a jumble of boulders followed a narrow rocky trail across the cliff face to an iron ladder that leads to the tunnel.
As the trail crosses the hillside high above the valley, which we had just climbed through, it passes above a shallow tarn that lies on the valley floor. We had a good view of the valley as we waited our turn to pass through the tunnel.
Frederick negotiating the seven foot ladder and...
entering the 83 foot tunnel. The tunnel, a naturally water worn fissure through limestone, is no more than 4 feet high throughout most of its length, so we had to sort of waddle to squeeze through. At its narrowest point, Frederick had to crawl, and I sort of scooted on my bottom, to get through.
Exiting the tunnel high on the cliff face, we had to drop down a 10 foot rock cliff to this narrow trail that climbs over boulders for 165 feet, with a handy steel cable for a handrail, until we reached safer footing.
The reward for persevering along this trail is Crypt Lake. At 145 foot deep, this cirque lake is surrounded by the Wilson Range.
The wildlife for today included this mountain goat high on the cliff wall eating god-knows-what. There were several others on other parts of the cliff face.
Enjoying lunch along the north shore of Crypt Lake. The word "crypt" is derived from the Greek kryptos, which means "hidden."
A lunch view of Montana which is across Crypt Lake; the International Border runs across the southern end of the lake.
After lunch we hiked to Montana and continued around the lake.
The view from Montana, north, across the lake.
On the way back, we took a sidetrail to the brink of Crypt Falls and had a spectacular view back down the valley.
The un-named tarn at the base of Crypt Falls.
On the way back we had to wait our turn to travel the obstacle course in reverse.
While we waited I took this picture down the valley.
Down the bolder strewn trail using the cable handrail.
Exiting the tunnel and...
climbing down the ladder. What a fun trail!
About two mile from the shoreline we took another side trail, for 1.5 miles, through Hellroaring Canyon. The suggestion is that you take this trail on the way back to the boat dock if you have enough time.We calculated that we would have just the amount of time to negotiate this difficult trail and reach the boat dock at 5:30 p.m.
Halfway along the canyon was Hellroaring Falls, a series of cascades and pools.
We made it back to the boat dock at 5:27 p.m., the second-to-last couple to return - how efficient. We then all waited for the boat which arrived at about 5:35 and took us back to Waterton townsite.
Hike statistics:
Length - 12.72 miles
Elevation gain - 2329 feet (382 floors on the Fitbit - a new personal best!)
Duration - 7 hours, 6 minutes
We would also like to remember Don Rohr - he would have been 95 years old today. If we still lived in Providence, and Don was still with us, we would have been celebrating his birthday with good friends, food and Don's wonderful remembrances. We miss him.
ROHR, DONALD GERARD October 10, 1920 - January 26, 2015. Born in Toledo, Ohio to Lewis Walter and Marie Pilliod Rohr, Donald was the last surviving of seven siblings. After graduating from University of Toronto he fought in the field artillery during WWII and worked in the military government in Germany travelling widely in Europe. Back in North America he pursued his studies in European history (MA, U. Toronto) and wrote a PhD thesis at Harvard on Germany between the world wars. At Williams College and Brown University he taught modern European history; at Brown he also served as chairman of the history department and associate dean of the faculty. He was a long-standing member of the Committee on Foreign Relations acting as president for some years. In retirement he continued his interest in current affairs subscribing to several dozen magazines and reading two newspapers a day. Leading in-depth discussions as a member of the book club at St. Sebastian's church of Providence RI he made a number of fast friends. Sharp to the end he engaged many with his lively stories. Pre-deceased by wife Joan Willis Michener, survived by daughters Karen Marie Michener Rohr Blaker of Lawton/Fort Sill OK, Kristin Marie Michener Rohr of North Saanich BC Canada, sons in law Gordon Blaker, Ken Jackman and grandchildren Kate and Christopher Blaker. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday in St Sebastian Church, Cole Ave., Providence at 10am. Calling hours Sunday 3-5pm in the Monahan Drabble Sherman Funeral Home, 230 Waterman St., Providence. Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery.
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