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Hike Cascade Mountain, Banff NP

Banff, Alberta

Details

Distance

7.5 miles

Elevation Gain

4800 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Janet Maclean

This is an iconic mountain adjacent from the town of Banff in Banff National Park.  The summit overlooks the town site, Lake Minnewanka and provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

From Banff, follow the Norquay Road (the west access road to Banff) up to Mt. Norquay Ski Area. The trail begins from the day lodge at the far end of the first parking lot on the right.

Walk by the front of the day lodge and follow a service roaddown through the ski area past the base of three chairlifts. A fewmetres beyond the Mystic Chair pick up the trail headingdownhill to Forty Mile Creek.

At the creek, turn right at the junction and follow the Elk Laketrail for another 2.5 km to a sign for CascadeAmphitheater where the trail branches right.  This forested trail climbssteadily up a series of steep switchbacks. 

You will come to a fork in the trail, if you keep going straight you will go to the cascade amphitheater, take the trial to your right for the cascade summit.  The trail to the right is marked with a yellow flag tape. You will follow the trail to the end of the tree line. 

From the last trees, continue along the ridge up and over theFirst Peak. There is a footpath to the right of the trees, but remain on the ridge—the footing is better and,despite appearances, it is easier. This is also the best route forthe descent.

Look towards the False Summit.  Careful route-finding starts here! Follow the cairns and blue or yellow flag tape. Make your way towards the false summit but do not go up the trail on the false summit, there is a distinct trail to the right that leads you horizontally around the false summit.  This trail will lead you all the way to the real summit.

You will hike up through loose scree and will need your hands from time to time for balance.  

Make note (look back) along the ascent to help you find the trail for the descent, it is very easy to take a more difficult route down then necessary. There are orange squares spray painted on some rocks to help you stick to the trail on your descent.  

Bring something warm to wear at the top of the mountain.  If you are an intermediate hiker with strong cardio you will be fine on this hike.  If not, plan to take lots of little breaks.  This is a strenuous hike and will take around 9 hours. 

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Features

Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

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