Floe Lake trail is a great introduction to the beauty that the Kootenay National Park has to offer, and it is also part of the multi-day Rockwall Trail. If you like staying overnight in the mountains, there is a campground right by the lake and it is probably the most popular campground in the Park. Book ahead if you like overnights, and for the effort, this place offers a pretty magical spot to stay the night at.
Getting There
The Floe Lake trailhead is correctly marked on Google Maps. From Calgary head on Highway 1 West passing Banff to Castle Junction/93 south. Take 93 south to the trailhead which will be about 15 minutes down the road from the Continental Divide. If you get to the Vermillion Crossing then you have gone too far. The trailhead is about an hour’s drive from Canmore.
The Hike
To start I will say this hike is great on cool days or any other day that isn’t scorching hot because you are essentially exposed the whole time. It will be easier on you and your pet.
From the parking lot, you will have a short walk through a forest which will open up to a bridge crossing over a turquoise river. This is where the trail really begins with a nice gradual elevation with a well-marked dirt trail that will narrow soon enough.
On your left, you will see a creek in the valley that will accompany you for most of the trail. You will be hiking through a beautiful meadow with lots of flowers and vegetation growth. The path can get a little overgrown and will stay this way for a big part of the journey.
This area still holds the reminders of the wildfire that was here in 2003 but the beautiful colours that have returned are a testament to nature’s resilience. In the summer the fields surrounding the trail are full of beautiful flowers and in the fall the golden colours of the larches will reward you at the end. Floe Lake trail is a great choice for the larch season with the lake and towering mountains make a spectacular backdrop.
At around a 6.5km mark there is a creek crossing which makes it a nice resting spot and the first access point for water since the bridge. Take the rest as after this point the elevation work will begin.
You can see the Floe Creek coming down from the Floe Lake which is at the base of the mountain ahead of you. There is your destination. The classic switchbacks will start and the heart pumping leg workout part of the trail is about to begin. Thankfully up to the this point you have covered a nice part of the elevation and just the final 400m or so are left to climb. On the bright side you will finally have more cover spots as your are hiking into the forest part.
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If you do this hike in the Fall coming out of the switchbacks will reward you with larches all around.
All you have left to do is a short walk through the woods with the camping areas around and make your way to the Floe Lake which will open up to you. There are plenty of space to lounge around, have a picnic and enjoy the reward.
Distance: 20.5.
Elevation: 1050m.
Time: 6-8 hours. Give yourself the day to enjoy the spot.
Difficulty: Moderate – difficult.
Season: June to October.
Dog Friendly: Yes.