Helen & Katherine Lakes

The trailhead for Helen Lake is an hour and a half drive from Banff. When we arrived, a little after 10 am, the parking lot was filled with milling hikers preparing to go on a guided hike up to the Lake. That was the beginning of a rather "mixed" day of hiking. Unfortunately, it is wildfire season and several fires in British Columbia are sending their smoke into Banff and Jasper. Also, clouds started to gather overhead and we knew to anticipate rain.

After two days off from hiking, we were full of vigor and even though the hiking group left well before us, we soon caught up and passed all three groups that they had broken into. Aside from the smoky views, the climb up to the Lake was pleasant.

That's Helen Lake on the right side. We didn't stop at Helen but took the trail along the right side of the Lake and climbed up a series of switchbacks to the rocky ridge above that provides an outstanding overview of both Helen Lake and Katherine Lake on the other side of the ridge. I am glad we bypassed Helen Lake because, from the top of the ridge, using the telephoto lens, you can see the hordes of people that arrived after us and ate their lunch at Helen Lake. 

Arriving at the top of the ridge above Helen Lake. This was the only snow we encountered on the trail and I think I took a picture of Frederick crossing this same spot, in the snow, last year. (see blog for June 24, 2016)

The ridge provides great 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains. You can see how hazy the air is from the smoke.

Great castellated peaks.

Looking down on Katherine Lake and Dolomite Pass to the east.

Lunch spot - that isn't blood on the rocks, but pretty bright red lichen. Frederick has his jacket on because while we were eating our lunch the weather began to deteriorate and get cold.

Lunch spot from the right.

On the way down we caught up with this marmot.

Helen Lake is bordered by open alpine meadows. We're heading back down but if you enlarge the picture you can see the flowers blanketing the meadows.

The castellated mountain from down below.

Does this look like the picture from yesterday? The trail and meadow to Helen Lake is on the right and we had to cross this stream going and this is coming back.

Starting down the valley after crossing the stream. When we left Helen Lake it began to thunder and rain.

The wildflower meadows were outstanding.

Some orange-colored Paintbrush.

Just above the trailhead we got a glimpse of Crowfoot Glacier (upper center of the picture) and Peyto Lake below.

Today's hike:

Length - 10.06 miles (16.09 K; Frederick has his Apple Watch set on the metric system)

Duration - 5 hours, 20 minutes (including lunch)

Elevation gain - 2,129 feet