Crypt Lake Trail has been named as one of the best trails in Canada. If you are in Waterton, then you need to set out on this moderate-difficult hike covering a distance of 20 km. You can reach the trailhead through a boat transfer from the Waterton Township. The 15-minute cruise costing $34 for a round trip is run by Shoreline Cruise Company. The first cruise departs at 8:30 am, and the last one leaves at 5:30 pm.
Once you start hiking, you will gain an elevation of 900 meters over the next 10 kilometers while basking in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You won’t fall short of views as you move along the way, and on reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with views of a turquoise blue lake.
Route Description Of Crypt Lake Hike
The ticket booths at Waterton Marina open at 8:00 am. Prepare for long queues at the booth and always have extra time for purchasing your ticket. Shoreline Cruise Company runs multiple ferries to help hikers reach up to the shoreline. You can enjoy the views of the historic Prince of Wales Hotel on the east side of the lake during your boat ride. Catching the first ferry helps you enjoy solitude on the trail.
You will find the trailhead from the Crypt Landing. From here you can embark on your journey uphill. The initial 2km offers an elevation gain of 200 meters through the forest.
You can catch glimpses of Waterton Lake below before going deep into the valley. The trail levels off after the first segment of elevation gain. It stays flat for the next 3 km. The forest starts opening up slowly as the trail moves deeper into the valley. During this time, you can enjoy amazing views of waterfalls and surrounding mountains.
Rewarding Views
On completing 5 km along the trail, the terrain starts winding with multiple switchbacks continuing deeper into the mountains. There isn’t any shade in this section of the trail, and it can be pretty hot. The physically tasking section of the Crypt Lake trail presents a 400-meter elevation gain over a distance of 2.5 km. Finally, it levels off and arrives at the most dangerous section of the trail. Here you will have to cross a one-meter-wide ledge situated over a cliff.
The most unique section of the trail is a narrow cave cutting through the rock. You will have to squeeze through its 1.5-meter height. Once you exit the narrow cave, you will come across another narrow ledge leading around the headwall towards Crypt Lake. You need not worry, as you can take the support of a fixed cable, which serves as a reliable handhold to help you cross the shelf.
Now that you have crossed the cave and ledges, it’s only a few hundred meters left before you get to enjoy the rewarding views of Crypt Lake. If you are feeling an adrenaline rush, then you can jump straight into the lake from the rock at its right side. You need to follow the same route while journeying back on the trail. Alternatively, you can make a detour to Hell-Roaring Canyon. Walking downhill is easy. But you should plan properly so that you can catch the last boat, which leaves at 5:30 pm.
Essential Tips For Crypt Lake Trail
- Carry an emergency beacon with GPS, as you won’t find much cellular service in the Canadian Rockies.
- You won’t find any drinking water either on the boat or along the trail. It’s advisable to bring a filter for refilling your bottle from Crypt Lake.
- This is a kid-friendly trail. Just dress them comfortably, as they will have to walk quite some distance uphill.
Also, check out all you know need to know about Bertha Falls & Lake Hike.
