A pleasant hike on a National Parks maintained trail leads to a panorama of the Kicking Horse and Beaverfoot river valleys. Don’t expect to be alone.

Trailhead
From the parking area, walk across the highway when it is safe to do so. The trail is an obvious gravel path that leads down to the right.

Trail
Within a minute or so, you will have to cross the CPR mainline as well. Look both ways before crossing the tracks. Look for the National Parks trail sign on the north side of the tracks. [read more]

The first few hundred metres are a nightmare of roots, but after that the trail is an easy, if moderately steep, climb up the ridge of Mount Hunter. Views start opening up to the west as you gain elevation. You will reach the turnoff for the lower lookout, complete with fire lookout tower, in about 70 minutes (3.4 km). The lookout is 200 metres along the left hand path. Surprisingly, you don’t get all that good a view from this spot, especially to the east. To discourage you from climbing the tower, falling, and suing someone, the bottom four metres of the ladder have been removed.

Head back to the main trail and turn left. It is a steep uphill grind to the upper lookout, which you will reach in another 70 minutes or so. The view here is much better. From the footings of the old lookout tower, the major peaks across the valley, from left to right, are Mt. Hurd, Mt Vaux, and Chancellor Peak, with the north Goodsir peeking from behind Chancellor.

One feature that will catch your attention are the clusters of green and red roofs on the shores of the Kicking Horse River just south of the highway. These are commerical campsites and chalets just outside the park boundary.

The other interesting feature is the area almost directly below the lookout which looks like it was logged. It was, but not by man. In November 1993, a “Yoho Blow” wind whipped through this area and brought down thousands of trees, closing the highway. What you see is the regrowth since.

It is possible to continue up the ridge to the true summit of Mt. Hunter.
The return trip is self evident except for one spot: the railway tracks. If you cross directly, you’ll be confronted by bush. The trail is slightly to the left.

Cautions

National Park permits are required on this hike.
Take care when crossing the highway and the railway tracks.
Vehicles are sitting ducks for thieves. Don’t leave valuables in your car.
The usual wildlife cautions apply.

From the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 1, drive east on the Trans Canada Highway for 31.8 kilometres to the Wapta Falls trail turnoff. Turn right and park immediately on the paved area. If you hit gravel, you’ve gone too far.