Panorama of the Rummel Lake hike from Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis near Canmore
Panorama of the Rummel Lake hike from Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis near Canmore

Rummel Pass hike

Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien
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Falls along the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreSpray Lakes Reservoir on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreRummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis has beautiful views of Rummel LakeHikers on the tricky part of ascent by falls on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreSnowbridge on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreTrail of the Rummel Pass Hike on Smith-Dorrien Trail (Kananaskis)Mountain views of the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreRummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis leads along beautiful tarnPath and the tarn on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreLate season snow on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreTarn on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreScenery of the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreLost Lake below the pass on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreTrail of the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreTrail to the Upper Tarn on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreStunning views from the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreWildflowers on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreValley above the lake on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreRummel Lake on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreLake views of the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmorePath of the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreViews of the Rummel Pass Hike on Smith-Dorrien Trail in KananaskisBeautiful views from the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmorePretty views on the Rummel Pass Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near Canmore

Rummel Pass hike

Distance: 10.9mi
Elevation: 1,870ft
Time: 4.5-6.5h

Difficulty Rating:

User Ratings:
9.8 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty

The hike to Rummel Pass is spectacular, and not nearly as popular as it should be. While hiking to Rummel Lake is a Kananaskis classic, pushing to Rummel Pass is completely worth it, offering interesting terrain and stunning views from Rummel Pass.

Please note that this route is not maintained during the summer.

Rummel Pass Hike Map

Getting there

From the Canmore Nordic Centre, continue west on the Smith-Dorrien (Hwy 742) as it winds up into the Spray Valley for 22.1mi. You’ll notice a turn-off to your right for Mount Engadine Lodge. Park on the Smith-Dorrien or turn-off and park just before or after the bridge crossing

I’ve done this 35 people have done this
I want to do this 63 want to do this route

About

When to do

June to early October

Backcountry Campsites

Winter only at Rummel Lake Backcountry Campground

Toilets

Rummel Lake

Family friendly

No

Route Signage

Poor

Crowd Levels

Low

Route Type

Out and back


Rummel Pass
Elevation Graph


Route Description for Rummel Pass

We normally park our car off of the Smith-Dorrien for this hike. You can fit a few cars here, and the benefit is they don’t get covered in dust like the cars on the Smith-Dorrien do.

Walk back to the Smith-Dorrien and cross the gravel road and take a path that heads off into the forest. The path is clear to follow as it heads SE and then switchbacks up to a NE direction. The trail is a good slope, not too steep so you can make good time here.

As you hike up, you go through an old cut-block, which means you get some lovely views back towards Tent Ridge and the Spray Lakes Reservoir.

After roughly 1.7mi, the trail heads SE again, running above Rummel Creek.

After roughly 1.2mi the trail comes down to Rummel Creek. The trail splits in two here. The winter trail (shown in yellow on the map) goes across the bridge and through the trees to Rummel Lake.

In summer, there is a much more scenic hikers trail that goes right just before Rummel Creek and takes an alternate approach to Rummel Lake. If it’s dry out, then we recommend taking the much more scenic hikers’ route. Note that the hikers route has a somewhat narrow ledge that some people may not enjoy. The hikers route has avalanche danger so keep clear when there is still snow up high above you.

Soon you reach Rummel Lake. It is a very pretty lake, though hard to capture due to how enormous the scenery is here.

From Rummel Lake, look for a path that goes off to the left, through the trees. The trail to Rummel Pass is clear and good, as it ascends and soon comes out of the trees. The views in this high valley are spectacular. Ahead the trail goes to Rummel Pass, though you can’t see it yet. On your left if The Tower, an imposing mountain. On your right is Mount Galatea.

Above the trees, the trail to Rummel Pass goes through a beautiful grassy meadow. You will soon come to a boulder field – hike through it and up and you quickly reach a tarn. Go around the left-hand side of this tarn and get ready for some more hiking over rocks. Finding the trail can be challenging, so keep looking for cairns that mark the route and keep heading forward.

Soon you come over a rise and see another very pretty tarn, with a clear path on the left-hand side. Follow this path to the end of the tarn and then follow the trail up.

Before you know it you’re at Rummel Pass, and you can enjoy the incredible views here.

The lake below you in the valley is Lost Lake. You can hike to it, though we’ve heard route-finding is tough. From Lost Lake, go left and you can then get to Lillian and Galatea Lakes.

Once you’re ready to return turn around and head back. The route back to Rummel Lake is better than the way up, with incredible views back down the valley.

Check out other amazing hikes in Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien:

Insider Hints

  • Nearby Mt Engadine Lodge is a great base for your trip, and also offers afternoon tea!

  • You could make a backpacking route over Rummel Pass to Galatea Lakes, over Guinn’s Pass to Ribbon Lakes and then up to Buller Pass and down to the Smith-Dorrien, with a 2.4mi walk along the Smith-Dorrien to your car. Talk about incredible views! There is some route-finding to Lost Lake though. Let us know if you’ve done it!

Comments

JohnCan 4 years ago

Rummel Pass Hike is pretty underrated for its remarkable views!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
6h 00m Time Taken
Greenlife 4 years ago

It's a real gem waiting to be discovered.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
6h 00m Time Taken
MayP 4 years ago

There was not a single soul other than ours when we visited Rummel Pass, and it's just a bonus because the views were fantastic.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
5h 30m Time Taken
Richy_travels 4 years ago

A worth it hike. Terrains are interesting and stunning views from Rummel Pass.

9.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
5h 30m Time Taken
hannahthorns 4 years ago

It provides an amazing view of Kananaskis Park. I highly recommend it!

10.0 Overall Rating
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Physical Difficulty
NotMichaelScott 4 years ago

If you're going to Rummel Lake it's worth it to just push on to the pass. You're right under Galatea which is rad! Hardly any other people.

Soli Petravron 4 years ago

It offers interesting terrain and stunning views from Rummel Pass. An underrated place with nice views. It's one hell of a hike.

10.0 Overall Rating
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Physical Difficulty
Rico Mambo 5 years ago

It was a fun place with some waterfalls, forest and lakes.

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Physical Difficulty
Perry K. 5 years ago

Fewer crowds mean that you can enjoy the view it offers to yourself. Amazing hike! Highly recommended.

10.0 Overall Rating
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Physical Difficulty
Haffy K. 5 years ago

Simply remarkable. A great hike with good views of the waterfalls and lakes. It's worth the hike.

10.0 Overall Rating
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13 Comments Show all

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