Wapta Ice Hike

Day 1: Bow Lake - Bow Hut
Meet us at our office in Canmore at 8:00am for introductions, trip review and equipment issue and check. After packing up, it's an hour and a half drive north to Bow Lake where we commence the hike to Bow Hut.

View across the Wapta Icefields. Wapta Ice Hike.

We start on the "tourist trail" which follows the lakeshore to the head of this turquoise colored lake then up the river flats beyond. The 'tourist trail" experience finishes partway up a steep trail next to a small but spectacular gorge the river has cut into the limestone. Here the gorge is bridged by a gargantuan boulder which we use to gain the other side where the mountaineer's trail starts.

This trail leads us past old moraines then up through the forest until it opens out into a massive alpine cirque surrounded by peaks and glaciers. We hike on a rough trail through the rocky flats until a final ascent brings us to the Bow Hut which is located at 2350m on a shoulder adjacent to the snout of the Bow Glacier.

The Hut has magnificent views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers as well as back down the canyon to the main valley.

This will take us between 3 and 5 hours. Distance 6km, elevation gain 550m.

Day 2: Bow Hut - Peyto Hut
We get up early to make the most of what will be a spectacular day as we cross the Icefields to Peyto Hut.

The Bow Glacier is the source of the Bow River which flows down valley through Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore and finally out onto the plains then past Calgary to eventually join the south Saskatchewan River.

Today we climb its gentle slopes below the impressive crag of Mt. St. Nick  to top out on the flat expanse of the Wapta Icefield. After a side trip to flat-topped Polaris Peak from where we gain can enjoy an expansive panorama with peaks in every direction, we continue west to where the Peyto Glacier drops gradually away. Peyto Hut sits on a bench inside the sweeping turn the Glacier takes as it drops now to the north. This is a fantastic spot, in every direction are glaciated peaks and colors in shades of rock and ice.

Walking down the Peyto Glacier to Peyto Hut.
Photo S. Morphet.

Hiking on the glacier we will be wearing a harness and be roped together for maximum safety. The glacier, like those everywhere, has many crevasses and whilst most are easily seen and avoided, we take maximum precautions. Your guide is certified, trained and very experienced on glacier terrain. We will also wear crampons (spikes that fit onto the soles of our boots) to give us firm traction on the ice. The glacial surface is not very steep. Walking with the crampons on is very easy.

This will take between 4 and 6 hours. Distance 6km. Elevation gain 550m, loss 460m. Additional hiking may be available depending upon conditions.

Day 3: Peyto Hut - Peyto Lake

Descending to Peyto Lake.
David Jamieson photo.

It's mostly down hill today as we drop back down to the Glacier from the Hut and follow it almost to its snout. Hiking on mostly white ice we pass mill holes down which glacier streams drop noisily into the bowels of the ice. We will see how glaciers preserve elements of the past, the exposed ice being hundreds of years old and bringing not only rocks to the surface but also spruce needles and twigs from long ago fires and the occasional bird or rodent long ago caught on the ice by early winter snows. It is usually hard to visualize the effects of global warming, not so on the Peyto Glacier which is in full retreat. Your guide will be an excellent resource to show you where the glacier was only recently. Opportunities to see glaciers up close may not be as abundant in the future. Come experience this amazing phenomenon like few people ever do.

We leave the Glacier just before the snout and climb a short distance on old moraines to a rather ramshackle research station from which research on glacial retreat is sporadically carried out. From here we traverse to the top of the lateral moraine which descends into the lower valley. If we have the energy we can take a side trip to Cauldron Lake which occupies an adjacent hanging basin. With it's still black waters surrounded by tundra, rock and ice it is serene and wild!

Back to the main trail we now start down the moraine wall track which leads us down into the lower valley to the bridge which crosses the raging torrent issuing from the Peyto Glacier now far above. We follow river flats and a bit of forest until we reach the gravel flats above Peyto Lake. One of the signature lakes of the Canadian Rockies with its beautiful turquoise waters, Peyto Lake marks the end of our traverse. From its shores we hike up through mature forest to where we suddenly emerge once more on a "tourist trail" it being the paved path taken by thousands of tourists as they hike to look over Peyto Lake. They will all indeed be envious of what you just experienced.

Instructors & Group Size

Because this hike takes place on glaciers your guide will be a certified mountain guide who is trained and qualified to lead you across glaciers. The guide is also licensed by Parks Canada.

Minimum group size will be 4 people. There will be a maximum of 6 guests per guide and no more than 12 guests per trip.

Meeting Place & Time

Blue glacier ice on Wapta Ice Hike, S. Morphet picture.

We will meet you at our Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office at 8:00am the morning of Day 1.

Our office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.

For your greater convenience we offer a pre-meeting shuttle service within Canmore. Please let us know in advance where you will be staying if needing this service. Pickup will occur between 7:30 and 7:50am.

Please ensure that you have your hiking equipment with you.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore which is a 1hour (100km) drive west from Calgary. We can however arrange this at your request with an airport shuttle at the cost of $55 each way.

Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway.

We will supply transportation from Canmore to the trailhead.

Accommodation

Peyto Hut, photo Alpine Club of Canada

During the trip we stay in alpine huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Sleeping areas are communal and facilities basic. The Huts are equipped with propane stoves, pots, pans, plates and cutlery. There is no running water. We gather water from nearby streams and lakes for drinking, cooking and washing.

Accommodation in Canmore is NOT included. For your convenience we can arrange hotel accommodations in Canmore for $160 per night. Double or single occupancy, the cost is the same. This accommodation can be booked with the trip online or by calling us. Subject to availability. Hostel accommodation is also available for $30 per night.

You can also make your own arrangements. Check our links page for a range of Canmore accommodations.

Excess luggage can be left at your hotel or our office.

We supply all meals and trail snacks from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3.

Trail cuisine is constructed from lightweight ingredients including our Yamnuska custom-made dehydrated dinners. Please specify any special dietary requirements you have on booking so we can incorporate them into our menus. A dietary surcharge will apply.

Equipment and Clothing

We supply harnesses, crampons and all necessary mountain gear plus a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring personal equipment (backpack and sleeping bag) and clothing (we have rentals available).

In particular it is important that you have good, waterproof hiking boots for this trip. If you don't have these we have plastic mountaineering boots you can rent.

Please download the list below and make sure you bring the items listed.

Clothing and Equipment List

What you bring will have a big impact on the quality of your experience. Please take the time to read the information carefully. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Yamnuska does have rental mountain boots, sleeping bags, mats, backpacks and rain gear. Contact us in advance to reserve.  Rental equipment

Contact Yamnuska with any clothing or gear questions

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A 35% deposit (including GST) is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the trip. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Canadian Cheques, Money Orders and Bank Drafts. Credit card payments are easiest, especially for international travellers.

We ask that you familiarize yourself with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

There are two basic types of insurance that most travelers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.

Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip.  Obtain extra coverage if necessary.  There is no charge for rescue in the National and provincial Parks, however costs such as air or ground transportation, long term care and other services are not covered.

Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:

We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries and other unplanned events.  For these eventualities the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment. 

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group.  This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian and International Travelers.  We highly recommend purchasing this insurance.  For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.