Crypt Lake Trail
Waterton Lake, the liquid centerpiece of Waterton Lakes National Park, is a wondrous sight. You'll ride a boat across it to begin the Crypt Lake trail, the park's most famous hike.
The Crypt Lake trail ascends Hell Roaring Valley on a roller-coaster route, passes four waterfalls, affords nearly constant views, slips through a dark tunnel, rounds an airy mountainside slung with a safety cable, then lofts you into the cirque where 600-m (1968-ft) cliffs rise above Crypt Lake.
The shuttle boat crossing Waterton Lake (between the marina at Waterton townsite and the Crypt Lake trail at Crypt Landing) operates from late May through early October. It takes about 15 minutes each way.
In midsummer (late June through August), you can depart Waterton Marina at either 9 or 10 a.m. and return from the Crypt Lake trail at either 4 or 5:30 p.m. The rest of the season, the boat departs Waterton Marina at only 10 a.m. and returns from the Crypt Lake trail at only 5:30 p.m. Prior to May 28 and after September 20, however, it returns at only 4:15 p.m.
Before planning your trip, check the current schedule and price with the Waterton Inter-Nation Shoreline Cruise Company: watertoncruise.com, cruise.info[at]watertoncruise[dot]com, (403) 859-2362.
Interested in the Crypt Lake trail? You'll find everything you need to know in the one-of-a-kind guidebook titled Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies, The Opinionated Hiking Guide. It will ensure your time in the Canadian Rockies is filled with rousing experiences, like the one awaiting you on the Crypt Lake trail.
Go to http://www.hikingcamping.com/hike-rockies.php to learn more about Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies, The Opinionated Hiking Guide.
