Helen Lake and Cirque Peak hike

Start the hike from the signed point in the parking lot. Entering the forest, you follow a well-marked trail for roughly 2.8mi, until you emerge from the trees and begin to get some stupendous views. Crossing Helen Creek, the route soon arrives at Helen Lake after roughly 3.7mi and having gained approximately 1247ft of elevation.

From the lake, contour around the right-hand side of the water towards a headwall. The trail will take you to the right of cliffs. Follow the main trail here and don’t take shortcuts. From here you can scamper the remaining few meters to the viewpoint before turning left and walking across the plateau to the base of the main push to the top of Cirque Peak.

Walk across the marshy plateau towards Cirque Peak, eventually reaching a sandy, steep ascent. From here you have under 1640ft of elevation gain to complete in 0.8mi of distance. The sandy section will lead to a ridge, where the consistency changes to small rocks and a bit of scree. Follow the trail to the left of the ridge, and make sure to steer clear of the edge.

Roughly 33ft from the top, you will encounter a rock formation that will require a bit of agility. Ditch your poles here and use your hands to go up the notch towards the peak. Take care, as this scrambling can be intimidating to those without experience.

Reaching the top, you have outstanding 360 degree views – Dolomite Pass, Dolomite Peak and Lake Katherine to name a few. The submarine-like mountain to your right is Dolomite Peak, one of the most unique in the Rockies. Take great care at the top, however, as the drop off on the other side is enormous, and certainly fatal.

Those who are very adventurous can scramble to the second peak, though that is beyond our own capabilities, so only challenge this route if you’re very experienced. Please judge your own capabilities accurately and ensure you are safe.

Coming back down the rock formation is actually easier, provided your pants or pack don’t get caught on rocks and throw you off balance. Once down, you have a pleasant descent provided you’re comfortable moving on loose rock. Regardless of your abilities, coming down the black sand is a joy. If you are new to these descents, treat it like snow, step down with your heel first until you find a firm footing and then move your other foot. Keep straight downhill and be prepared to fall back on your bum. This takes some practice, but over time you can greatly improve your speed at descents.

Return the rest of the way you ascended, once again making sure you take the same route you took up. There are several game paths that look like trails that can lead you to the exposed cliff edge.

The steady route up through the forest is a welcome relief on the way down, as you coast easily back to your car. Just be sure to keep on the lookout for roots and make enough noise to ensure the bears stay away, as this is prime bear habitat.

Helen Lake hiking news for 2024

In 2024, the Helen Lake trail in Banff National Park is poised for an earlier start to the hiking season due to lower than usual snowfall levels. However, visitors should be prepared for a particularly busy summer at the trail. The increased accessibility and the trail’s popularity mean that early arrival to secure parking and starting the hike in cooler morning hours might be more crucial this year. It’s advisable to check local conditions before heading out, especially due to potential wildfire smoke, which could affect visibility and air quality.