Rummel Pass hike
View PhotosRummel Pass hike
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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.
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
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
Weather
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!
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JohnCan 4 years ago
Rummel Pass Hike is pretty underrated for its remarkable views!
Greenlife 4 years ago
It's a real gem waiting to be discovered.
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.
Richy_travels 4 years ago
A worth it hike. Terrains are interesting and stunning views from Rummel Pass.
hannahthorns 4 years ago
It provides an amazing view of Kananaskis Park. I highly recommend it!
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.
Rico Mambo 5 years ago
It was a fun place with some waterfalls, forest and lakes.
Perry K. 5 years ago
Fewer crowds mean that you can enjoy the view it offers to yourself. Amazing hike! Highly recommended.
Haffy K. 5 years ago
Simply remarkable. A great hike with good views of the waterfalls and lakes. It's worth the hike.