Crypt Lake trail
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One of the premium hiking trails in the Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, the 8-hour-return Crypt Lake trail is accessed by a dedicated ferry service operating from the Waterton Park Townsite.
The first part of the trail offers the choice of two alternate routes for ascent and return running through forest, the longer of which passes the impressive Hell Roaring Falls. After that the trail becomes an open walk through a valley crossing small mountain streams and leading up to the spectacular views of Crypt Falls. The cascading Crypt Falls are over 150m high and are fed by Crypt Lake in the hanging valley above the falls. The last part of the trail is the ascent to Crypt Lake. This part is more challenging; in parts the walk runs at the edge of steep drops, secured by cable and also involves crawling through a narrow, but short, tunnel. Finally the trail reaches the shores of Crypt Lake through a small forest.
[edit] Crypt Lake
Crypt Lake is a pristine alpine lake occupying a cirque that often has ice into August. Most of the area around the lake is covered in scree and/or snow, and hiking around the circumference of the lake requires approximately 45 minutes. Wildlife can be spotted in the mountains towering above. From Crypt Lake it is only a short walk to the edge of Crypt Falls with commanding views over the valley below.
[edit] Ferry service to Crypt Lake trail
Ferry service from the Waterton townsite brings hikers to the trail head twice in the morning and returns to pick them up, twice in the late afternoon (off of peak season (May-June, Sept-Oct), ferry services only make 1 round trip per day.) The time span is reasonable to perform the whole trail, but its always a good idea to keep an eye on the time. There are no amenities and no potable drinking water provided at the trail head (ferry landing site) or anywhere along the trail.
The Ferry ride over to the trail head is an enjoyable experience by itself. Hikers board and travel on comfortable, partially enclosed vessels. The Ferry's crew are amazing people; hikers themselves who enjoy Waterton and take pride in the Crypt Lake hike. These crewmembers are extremely friendly and provide an informative and humorous description of what awaits hikers on the Crypt Lake trail. Some non-hikers even take the shuttle over to Crypt Landing, just for the boat ride, with no intent to hike.
