16 September 2016, Friday
Today is our last day of Canadian Rockies hiking. We have chosen the Helen Lake – Cirque Peak hike, again off the Iceline Parkway, but a much shorter drive. Mike meets us at the visitor center once again and off we go. The trail begins up a wooded pathway with many crossing roots which create steps. Very soon we can look out between the trees and see the Crowfoot Glacier on the other side of the highway.
After a few miles of hiking we are above treeline, walking through an alpine meadow with incredible views in every direction. To our left is a rocky ridge and glacial talus, to our right high bare peaks whose crowns look like castle ruins, while behind are distant snow-capped ranges and glaciers. Mike wonders what planet we have been transported to.
We finally arrive at Helen Lake with Cirque Peak beyond and a rocky ridge extending to our right. We stop for lunch here. Another hiker on her way down from the ridge promises more spectacular views from the top. A few hikers returning from Cirque Peak say it’s quite a scramble, and they turned around before reaching the summit. The three of us decide to climb to the top of the ridge. At least there is a trail going in that direction.
For every 30 meters we climb the view becomes even more beautiful. From the top of the ridge we can see the next valley over, with Katherine Lake at the bottom. We ascend to the top of a rocky outcrop from which we have 360 degrees of unbelievable views. The only reason we descend is because it is cold and windy, and we know we have to hike back to the car before dark. Down we go, enjoying the views again as we hike in the other direction.
Back in the parking lot we say farewell to Mike. He has another week or so of hiking up here. O and I will continue our cross-Canada journey. We return to camp, strike the tarp and have a late dinner of chili, cheese, wine, bread and a “salad” consisting of lettuce (donated by a large tour group whose leaders offered it to us as they had finished their trip without finishing their lettuce) dipped in balsamic vinegar – one leaf at a time. All we will need to do in the morning is pack the tent.