Bourgeau Lake is the closest subalpine lake to the town of Banff, with a trailhead on the Trans-Canada Highway about 13 km west of the Mount Norquay Interchange. Got to camp at the lake for like 5 days while the trail was closed. Beautiful trail ... went till the lake ... gradual elevation and a fabulous hike ... Did this hike yesterday with my dog and went to the peak, 24km return with 1450m elevation gain. Beautiful scenery, excellent conditions! There are several challenging ice climbs on the opposite side of the mountain that can be viewed via the Sunshine Ski Resort gondola. Great wooded trails for riding at Lake Anna State Park. There is a lot of on-going work here, and trails have been dramatically improved in the last 2-3 years. Once at the pass the view of the valley is astounding with larches and amazing mountains. Wildlife is abundant in the area, so keep your eyes open. Amazing. The original plan was just Bourgeau, but they wanted more! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. We got the last spot in the parking lot at 9:30am on a Sunday morning. Report on a Trail hike trip Harvey Pass and Lake via Bourgeau Lake on 2020-10-08 Mount Bourgeau is a great trail for hikers looking to have a full day out and one of our favorites in all of Banff. Also, for someone who loves hiking as much as I do, summits aren't really my thing. We are 1.5 miles west of the Appalachian Trail; 1.5 miles east of the Shenandoah River. I guided a couple of great guests up to Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass. Length 15.8 mi Elevation gain 6,315 ft Route type Out & Back Beautiful lakes and views all around. We then return on the same route to the trailhead below. Very nice hike. Lots of horse flies as well. Total descent is between 10-14 minutes depending on how sendy you wanna get. Ask them here. Incredible views including a valley of golden larch past the 3rd lake. Almost 8 miles in length and with an elevation remaining under 2,200 feet you can still have a great hike when the daylight hours are shorter. Bourgeau Lake/ Harvey Pass is one of my favourite hikes from my Banff days. It's about 2.5km past the Sunshine Village exit heading west on the TransCanada Highway. There is a small parking lot and an outhouse at the trailhead. The Consolation Lake trail is a favorite family hike near Lake Louise, and can be paired with the Moraine Lake Rockpile and Lakeshore hike. The closest camping is back in the town of Banff. The 7.5 km Bourgeau Lake trail is a popular summer’s hike up to an exquisite mountain lake. Partially closed, check trail details for additional information. You can see BC at the top. Sky Meadows State Park offers rolling farmland and foothills for horse riding. We stopped short due to knee-deep post-holing for the last 500m to the lake, but it was reasonably well-defined until that point. NTS Map: 082O04Elevation Gain: 710 m (2,330 ft).This 7.5-km trail climbs the slopes of Mt. Ascending from the lake will take you past multiple tarns and slopes dotted with wildflowers. To check trail warnings … great trail. and a great workout. Why go the extra mile: This is one trail that just keeps on giving. Good steep incline. It was hip deep snow in many places in June last year. It’s a tough hike but worth it! Well worth it! I miss the water. The first 7.5km of the trail to Bourgeau Lake is mostly in the forest, with very limited view. We continued on past Bourgeau Lake to Harvey Pass. The trail from Bourgeau Lake to Harvey Pass is even steeper than it was before and after few hundred meters it gets rocky which makes the climb more challenging, but it is perfectly doable for any moderately fit person. Well graded switchbacks and a beautiful waterfall half way up. It’s easily accessible from the town of Banff and Canmore as it’s only a 10-15 minute drive to the parking area. 7/ BOURGEAU LAKE → MOUNT BOURGEAU. Outstanding alpine views from Bourgeau Lake to Harvey Pass. So glad we made the effort even though it made for a long day! Great trail with excellent views! Would do it again in a heart beat. Poles highly recommend. After a steep ascend over numerous turns, we cross Wolverine Creek beneath several waterfalls. So many beautiful litlle lakes! It’s pretty steady up the whole way, but not to steep anywhere. Through the trees we needed the extra layers, but into the sunshine we were t shirts. Summer through fall is typically the best time but check with Banff National Park for current conditions. The mean minimum temperature will be -12°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Thursday 22nd at -19°C. I did it once in 2016 to the lake only, and once in 2017, to the pass, and with a partial attempt to the summit of Mt. Do you have questions regarding this content? The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. 2 hours 50 going up and 2 hours 20 going down. Accessed off the Trans-Canada Hwy. After enjoying a break at the head of the lake, pass to the right of the water and follow the rougher path upwards, enjoying the wonderful views down upon the lake and the enormous cliff face of Mount Bourgeau. So happy to have bear spray and did not have to use it. A leg burner for sure. Here it is worth taking a short rest before the last steep section up to Bourgeau Lake plateau. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. We are near Skyline Drive, Civil War battlefields, Washington, D.C., caverns, historical sites, wineries, the … The avalanche activity at the lake was quite extreme, but can be viewed from a safe distance. This trail is a very fast, tight, and flowy trail starting at the upper Ted Lake parking lot. Quite windy at the saddle today. WHERE TO RIDE. Also known as Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass. If you are visiting to hike the 2.3-mile long Reservoir Trail, please park at Brambleton Community Park West (22389 Belmont Ridge Rd.) Lots of switch backs in between trees for a long period but once you are out of tree runs the view on the way and on the top is magnificent! It starts at a tiny parking lot off Canada Highway 1. Glorious early winter conditions. Plenty of lakes and a waterfall. 12 November 2020 at 17:00-18:00: Partly cloudy, Temperature -15, 0 mm, Light breeze, 2 m/s from southwest It’s a leg burner that’s for sure. 2km from the parking lot. It snowed the whole way up today and snow was collecting especially past the first lake. 710 meters of elevation gain to Bourgeau Lake; the trail is of medium difficulty due to the steeper final 2 km and the overall distance . Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Absolutely stunning views at the top. Great hike!! Stay on the trail, and when you pass the small unnamed lake… Calgary-based hiking, scrambling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing club. For changing the range of view, push the arrows together. Fantastic hike! The start and end of the Bourgeau Lake trail is very easy Snowshoeing to Bourgeau Lake on a grey November day And this is why snowshoeing all the way to Bourgeau Lake when there is a heavy snow load is NOT a good idea – rather a large avalanche zone! The trail offers a number of activity options. From the lake, a 2.2 km more difficult trail continues upward to Harvey Pass where exceptional views extend to snowcapped peaks along the Continental Divide. Beautiful views. If you're set on getting to the lake, snowshoes could be a good choice. The trail is in great condition with no hazards (except all the mosquitoes). The route runs along Wolverine Creek, which flows into Bow River. To Bourgeau Lake: 7.5 km one way, 725 mt elevation gain. 01-12-2020: Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trail details: Moderate Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail: Icy conditions: 01-12-2020: Studded tires recommended; Trail details: Moderate Tunnel Bench Winter Loop: Snow covered with icy sections. And layers for sure. The trails have hosted various mountain bike races and events, including the Legend of Lake Fairfax and the NoVa Epic, and countless trail running races, but still retains a quiet, bucolic, natural feel that makes you forget that you’re a scant 1.5 miles from the booming Reston Town Center. Directions. Boom Lake Trail Be sure to stay updated on the trail conditions before going hiking in Banff. Sometimes, trails can even get icy or snowy in the summer. Cleats will do at this point. Bourgeau Lake Trail is a 17.5 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Banff, Alberta, Canada that features a lake and is rated as difficult. T he 52-acre park, formerly a dairy farm, is situated with the old Dairy Barn, an Observatory that gives you a glimpse into space, run by The Analemma Society, equestrian facilities, a "tot-lot," hiking trails, and a picnic area. Bourgeau Lake Trail is a 10.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Banff, Alberta, Canada that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Details. Located between the highest and most spectacular mountains in the region and surrounded by lush, high alpine meadows, for decades it is thus one of the most popular hiking destinations for tourists in the regio,   This 7 km hiking trail takes us up the slopes of Mount Bourgeau up to the mountain above Bow Valley. There are some flowy sections, a few stream crossings and tough (double-track) climbs/descents, plus a couple rock gardens. It is my favorite peak I have done so far because the trail is in good condition, 3 lakes and a couple streams for the dog and I to get water (I always bring water treatment tabs just in case I need to use the lakes/streams!) Camping There are no campsites on Bourgeau Lake Trail. Of all the lakes along the Bow Valley,  Bourgeau Lake is closest to the town of Banff. Horseback riders on the new Meh-tek-kos Bridle Trail at York River State Park. The trail was very well marked the whole way. This makes it a great hike for those staying in Banff town as you can see the colossal mountain from the center of town and its a short drive. Located between the highest and most spectacular mountains in the region and surrounded by lush, high alpine meadows, for decades it is thus one of the most popular hiking destinations for tourists in the regio, This 7 km hiking trail takes us up the slopes of Mount Bourgeau up to the mountain above Bow Valley. 5 Up and 3 Down. Healy Pass, Simpson Pass and Sunshine Village, Sunshine Meadows via Banff Ave and Citadel Pass. Fabulous day! The modestly difficult but rather long trail runs for 13 miles (about 20 km) inside Banff National Park and is one best-kept secret. Awesome hike. There is marked signage both directions. Great day, amazing weather for Oct. 3. We start our tour at the Bourgeau Lake parking lot, just off the Trans - Canada Highway. Mount Bourgeau is a 2,931-metre (9,616 ft) tall mountain in the heart of Banff National Park promises some extraordinary views. The turn-off is approximately 0.9 miles past the Sunshine Village Ski Resort exit. Interesting notes: we chose this hike as we wanted a somewhat gentler and well-maintained trail however the north facing trail resulted in the snow on the trail starting about 2 km from the trailhead Hike along Babel Creek to Consolation Lakes, which are fringed with stunning glacier clad mountains. Enter through the gate to begin. Of all the lakes along the Bow Valley, Bourgeau Lake is closest to the town of Banff. Be careful though cause there can be horses and hikers. While for many people Bourgeau Lake is a trip in itself, the real magic is the journey up to Harvey Lake and Harvey Pass. Five on longer than the 17.6 All Trails shows. About 700 meters of altitude must be conquered to rest on the lake´s banks with beautiful views. Bourgeau, aborted due to very windy conditions. The easy, sometimes moderate hike to Bourgeau Lake offers hiking pleasure in perfection. Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass. Encountered a bear on the trail down approx. We had three All Trails app running, distance recorded 21.4 - 22.2 km. We have two small lakes, each about half an acre in size. Help others by being the first to add a review. Bourgeau Lake is set within a massive amphitheater of limestone and the summit of Mount Bourgeau looms high overhead. At the trailhead we follow the signs through dense forest in the Wolverine Creek Valley, until we have a first clear view after less than 2.5 km. The trailhead for Bourgeau Lake/Harvey Pass is on the west side of Trans-Canada Highway approximately 5 miles west of Banff. We went pretty fast, alot of jogging with several breaks for dog to have food water but finished in 5 hours. Absolutely amazing hike! Great views. Right to the top of Harvey Pass.....amazing views, sun was shining.....including lunch and a few photo ops, 8 hours! To Harvey … There is a small parking lot and a restroom at the trailhead. And if weather conditions or time constraints dictate, there are two destination points along the way where you could turn back and still have had a great hike.The first section is an easy to follow trail sometimes used by horse mounted park rangers that leads 7.4 km to Bourgeau Lake with an elevation gain of 750 m (2460'). Lake Fairfax is a nice little park in a great location that is slowly turning into a decent MTB destination. This hike ascends through a Douglas fir forest. Lakes and waterfalls. The community park trailhead has plenty of parking available. Long hike, larger than All Trails shows. We did pass a waterfall on the way in, then the trail climbs steeply up a headwall. It can be accessed going both east and west. This hike loops around the entire G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area and is one of our favorite in the winter months. Mt Bourgeau Weather (Days 0-3): The weather forecast for Mt Bourgeau is: A dusting of new snowTemperatures will be below freezing (max 0°C on Tue morning, min -14°C on Sun morning)Winds decreasing (severe gales from the W on Sun night, light winds from the SW by Mon afternoon). During clear Friday nights the Observatory Park is open during the evening to view the stars. 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