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Every summer has a story and this one ends with my favourite trail!

This was my second attempt to complete this hike, and I had to wait a whole year to come back and bag this one. Last year, my friend Agnieszka and I literally missed the boat. The ferry only leaves at 9:00 am starting September. We basically slept in, and we ended up settling for Bertha Lake Trail instead. I was serious about hiking last year, but I certainly didn’t have the level of appreciation I do now, so I knew we had to tackle this one sooner or later and definitely before the end of summer.

Firstly, you catch a ferry to and from the trailhead. National Geographic rated this trail among the World’s 20 Most Thrilling Trails. How cool? Ladders, cables, caves, lakes and waterfalls! Read euphoria, anxiety and dread! I have never done anything rated most thrilling.

Secondly, once docked, I would give all the tourists a bit of time to break up along the main trail or take the Hell Roaring Falls way. However, we left that for the way back because steeper is always easier downhill. Or is it? We almost missed the 5:30 pm boat on the way down by taking that route.

Waterton is simply a great mixture of landscapes, and this place totally bewitches me. I was lured from the get-go. In short, all I wanted was to look back because it is so pretty in the Crypt Valley. Otherworldly! It is about 20 km and almost 900m in elevation gain, 6 hours of moving time with an hour for lunch or swim or celebratory shots. Or both. You can cross the border, illegally, to the good old USA from this one. No passports, no vaccines, no quarantine required. Awesomeness!

Trail Wisdom

I love being in nature, especially in the mountains. It actually fulfils several things for me. It gets me in the element I didn’t think I would love so much. Similarly, the mountains remind us of strength and how insignificant we are. I enjoy the solitude. Boy does it ever feel good to be FREE! Just me and the beautiful skies above with hours of trails ahead. It is difficult to say which hike in the Canadian Rockies is my favourite, but Waterton is definitely worth visiting. Above all, it is also about small moments and experiences that make those places a favourite.

Where is the Crypt Lake Trail

The trailhead is located at the Crypt Landing on the east side of Upper Waterton Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park. To reach the trailhead, it is probably best to take a boat with Waterton Cruise. It’s a short 15-minute ride and costs CAD 30.

What to pack for the Crypt Lake Trail

Even though the weather seemed nearly perfect, I still went through all my layers. Most importantly, I try to stay as prepared as possible for either summer or winter weather conditions. I mean, it’s Alberta. The weather can change quickly. If you know, you know. In other words, I tend to overpack, but it’s better to have them essentials and not need them than need them and not have them.

  • Day Pack
  • Puffy/Dawn Jacket
  • Rain Jacket
  • Breathable Base Layer
  • Hiking Boots
  • Wool Hiking Socks
  • Poles
  • Food/Water/Celebratory Shots
  • Bug Spray/Bear Spray
  • Headlamp
  • First Aid
  • Navigation

Crypt Lake Trailhead to Crypt Lake

  • Distance: 19.28km
  • Difficulty: hard
  • Elevation gain: 893 m
  • Time: 6:31 hours with one hour for lunch and stops for pics

Leave No Trace

LNT is built on seven principles that promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. The basic message is to pack it in, pack it out. The principles include:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

https://www.leavenotrace.ca/home

If you like Crypt Lake, you will also like reading about Table Mountain in Pincher Creek.

Happy Hiking!