|
Sentinel Pass, via Larch Valley
Brief Description:
A continuation of the Larch Valley trail, Sentinel Pass provides rugged mountain views over the Valley of the 10 Peaks and Paradise Valley. The Grand Sentinel is a rock spire visible from the pass.
Trail Access:
Park at the main Moraine Lake parking lot at the end of Moraine Lake Road, 14 km (20 min drive) from Lake Lake Louise Drive.
Detailed Trail Information
| Duration | Distance | Level of Difficulty | Elevation Gain |
| full day | 11.5 km / 7.5 mi | difficult | 732 m / 2400 ft |
Follow a well switch-backed trail up a steep hill, which then continues at a more moderate grade through Larch Valley and the Minnestimma Lakes. The final ascent to Sentinel Pass is steep, but well switch-backed as well.
This hike provides the hiker with a taste of what mountaineers must feel as they ascend rocky peaks. The pass is small, rocky and although not really precipitous, gives the feeling of being on top of the world. Sentinel Pass is the highest maintained trail in Banff National Park.
There is a difficult scramble to the top of Mt. Temple that begins at Sentinel Pass, but it should only be attempted by those who know what they are doing and who have gotten full information from the Lake Louise Visitor Centre.
This area is also great grizzly bear habitat and may have a warning posted or a trail restriction requiring hikers to hike in tight groups of six people or more. A warning means that a bear has been frequenting the area regularly. The trail restriction is there to protect both hikers and bears. Be sure to hike bear aware and take precautions to prevent encounters on the trail.
Trail Information Courtesy Of: Great Divide Nature Interpretation
|
