We enjoyed 4 perfect-weather days (low-20C highs at trailheads) and 4 amazing hikes along the South Icefields Parkway.

Day 1: Noseeum Lake, 10 km/700m (Ingrid, Jane, Toshiko)
Jane and I left Calgary at 8:00 and drove to Waterfowl Lakes campground, where we set up camp and ate lunch. Then we drove back to the Noseeum trailhead to meet Toshiko and started hiking around 12:45. What a nice route! Between the creek, waterfalls, views, alpine basins, and of course the gorgeous lake, it was a lot of scenery stuffed into 4 hours. To top off the day, Toshiko brought fresh peaches... nothing better on a hot summer afternoon.

Noseeum Lake

Views from Noseeum trail

Day 2: Mt Jimmy Simpson, 15 km/1000m (Ingrid, Jane, Jack, James, Toshiko)
Wow, wow, wow. This summit has some of the best views that I’ve ever seen. Our group of 5 started hiking at 8:30 and were all on the summit before noon. There was some light wildfire haze around us, but the worst of the smoke was far to the north so our views weren’t compromised. We spent just under 2 hours basking on the summit before the knee-jarring descent and the seems-longer-than-it-really-is stretch back to the cars.




Approaching the col to Mt. Jimmy Simpson

Summit of Mt. Jimmy Simpson

View south

Jack joined us at the campground and we had a lovely evening talking and visiting the calm lakes. Into the tents by 9:00 when it got dark.

Day 3: Caldron Lake/Peak, 19 km/1100m (Ingrid), 21 km/1500m (Jack and Jane), 10.25 hours
Just the 3 campers for this trip, starting at 8:00. The hike starts with a 300m vertical descent followed immediately by several refreshing early morning lower leg baths courtesy of the Peyto Glacier. Glad that it was warm out! The trail up to the crossing of Caldron Creek is well defined, and we put on our sandals again for the knee-deep splash-through. Up, up, up the long arm of a moraine to views of Peyto Glacier, across the steep scree slopes below Peyto Peak, and then you get the first enticing view of the lake.
We had first lunch at the lake and then walked to a low ridge, where we separated according to what we had agreed the night before (each party had an emergency satellite beacon). Jane and Jack went up Caldron Peak for a 40-minute summit stay, 360 degree panorama, and superb scree run, while Ingrid explored the whole Caldron glacial basin, including moraines, lakes, and many alpine flowers in full bloom. We regrouped close to our arranged time and watched 3 mountain goats (including a kid) before starting the return journey. No smoke all day.

Another sociable evening followed, and we made it to 9:30 before going to bed.




The trail follows a long moraine

First view of Caldron Lake

Jack and Jane ascending Caldron Peak; route runs between bottom right and top left summit where light grey scree meets darker cliffs

Jane on Caldron Peak (photo by Jack)

Ingrid’s view for second lunch was also pretty good

Day 4: Crystal Ridge, 9 km/650m (Ingrid, Jack, Jane)
The original plan for today was Bow Peak, but Ingrid’s bad knee was sore so we decided to do Crystal Ridge instead. None of us knew exactly where to leave the Helen Lake trail, so a short period of bushwhacking was necessary before we inadvertently figured out what we later decided must be Kevin’s recommended route. Views were excellent despite some light haze around us (with much thicker smoke far to the north). Alas, between peaks 3 and 4 Ingrid’s knee decided that was enough so we didn’t go right to the end but instead had another snack break. Many thanks to Jack for routefinding, to both Jack and Jane waiting for me on the steep downward journey, and to Jane for agreeing to stop at Herbert Lake to soak feet and knees before the long drive home!




On Crystal Ridge

Crystal Ridge, with Cirque Peak in background

P.S. Waterfowl Lakes campground has excellent facilities and was very quiet despite being full each night. Highly recommended as a convenient home base for future trips to the area.

Thanks from coordinator Ingrid to all of the participants for making these 4 days fun, safe, and memorable: Jack, James, Jane, and Toshiko.