Cascade Mountain is an iconic peak in Banff National Park, a sight that’s hard to miss when strolling through town. I’ve been eyeing Cascade for years, but the limited hiking season has always made it tricky for me to plan the climb. It feels like every year, the season slips away before I get a chance to give it a try. And to be honest, the steep elevation gain and long approach have been a bit intimidating. I also made the mistake of going down the rabbit hole by listening to too many National Park After Dark podcasts and I was freaked out enough. The stories of missing rangers, survival tales of individuals falling, and encounters with lightning strikes left me feeling apprehensive about venturing to the summit of ANY mountain. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and it was now or never. 

So, if you’re up for it, here’s how you can conquer Cascade Mountain yourself.

Cascade Mountain History

The Stoney Nakoda people referred to Cascade Mountain as “Minihapa,” while it has also been known as Stoney Chief. In 1841, Sir George Simpson noted a substantial volume of water that looked like a thread of silver on the grey rock, and in 1845, Father Pierre-Jean De Smet described a beautiful crystalline fountain issuing from the center of a perpendicular rock. However, it was James Hector in 1858 who named it “Cascade Mountain” when he reached a beautiful little prairie at the mountain’s base.

Route Description

Cascade Mountain features typical Canadian Rockies characteristics such as a hanging cirque and a ridge connecting multiple sub-summits. One of its notable attractions is the waterfall on the SSE slopes, making it a popular ice climbing area in the winter. The easiest route up Cascade is via the SW ridge though. To access the ridge, you need to venture into the Forty Mile Creek valley and then head right to ascend the slopes. Cascade is a favored location for scrambling, with only a few challenging, exposed areas among mostly moderate to easy terrain.

Trail Access

To find the trailhead for Cascade Mountain, head to the Norquay ski resort and drive up to the Norquay Lodge and Ski Resort parking lot on Norquay Scenic Drive. You will then find the trailhead behind the lodge. Simply walk past the lodge and the ski lifts, and you’ll see the trailhead in the forest after the third chair lift, towards 40 Mile Creek.

The first 2 km involve a gentle downhill slope towards 40 Mile Creek. Keep in mind that this means you’ll have to hike uphill on the return journey after already a very long day! Along the way, you’ll climb an initial peak, descend to a picturesque notch, traverse across a false summit, and then make your way up some scree to reach the main summit.

The Approach

The initial 7.4 km of this hike undeniably sucks. It goes on forever through endless switch backs in the forest. It’s not until you reach the amphitheater that the experience becomes more engaging. If it weren’t for this 14 km stretch, ascending Cascade would likely be more enjoyable and attract a larger crowd.

When you reach the meadows, you’ll have a clear view of the route to the summit. The path generally follows the skyline of the cliffs on the right side of the Amphitheatre. The trail then gets faint and eventually disappears into a giant boulder field. The correct route is to ascend the boulder field straight up towards the first peak. We followed cairns side-sloping around the peak, over endless boulders.

The Scramble

The trail will become much steeper in terms of elevation gain from this point. As you continue, the scrambling will start at the first peak and extend for a few more km, ultimately leading you past the first summit, the false summit, and finally to the true summit of Cascade Mountain. Follow the zig-zag path up the grassy slope towards the false summit. You will then traverse over some slabby sections and maybe you will need to use your hands here and there. Again, nothing difficult or exposed.

Once around the corner you will traverse over an exposed steep slope with well worn trail. If the path is dry and free of snow it’s easy. I’d say if snow still lingers you could consider turning around. Otherwise cross the slope and don’t look down. You can actually see this section of the mountain from the town.

The final push to the summit is a never ending scree slope. It is steep, long but not technical.

From the summit you will see Lake Minnewanka below, Bow Valley, town of Banff and Rundle will look not so big anymore. In the far distance you will also see Mount Assiniboine and Mount Temple. It was a beautiful summer day and we stayed for about 30 minutes enjoying the views and jetboiled noodles.

The Descent

For your safety, it’s best to retrace your steps and avoid the amphitheater. Some hikers have encountered accidents trying to take shortcuts and ended up in dangerous situations. Therefore, returning the same way is the safest option when descending Cascade Mountain. Do not scree run. Do not cut corners. You will get cliffed out and cry.

Quick Stats

• Distance: 19.72 km
• Elevation: 1734 m
• Moving Time: 7:35:45
• Difficulty: Hard

Cascade Mountain Trail Map

Final Thoughts

The scramble up Cascade Mountain offers an exhilarating adventure in the Canadian Rockies. With its stunning views of Lake Minnewanka, the Banff Town site, and the surrounding peaks, it’s a scramble you won’t forget. Just make sure to check the weather before heading out to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience!

Parks Canada officially states that the best time for hiking is “late June or early July to September,” although I would recommend aiming for mid-to-late August to ensure a better chance of reaching the summit. While some people do hike at other times of the year, they either carry self-arrest gear and crampons or do not reach the summit.

You can read Parks Canada Scramble’s Guide here.

Happy Trails!!