helen lake trail

Stunning views, mountain lakes, alpine meadows, streams, glaciers, marmots. Words don't do it justice; this hike has a lot of everything. An enjoyable hike that I will do again and again.

Gorgeous trail over babbling streams and through mountain meadows resplendent with wild flowers. Marmots love to hang out here.

We did not start this hike until almost 4:30 pm and were the last ones going up. There had been quite a few sightings of a grizzly bear earlier that day but we just made a lot of noise along the way. There were a lot of people coming down so there was activity. The flowers on the meadow and hillsides up higher were amazing. It took about 1 hr 45 minutes going up( and there is a LOT of up) and almost 1 hr 30 minutes going down it it was worth the views.

Very nice hike that got everything: first climbing up through the forest and then a nice and easy party through a nice mountain meadow with lots of flowers and a beautiful scenery. It ends at the helen lake but you can continue and climb cirque peak which I would recommend! It's an easy/medium scramble but the views you get on the top are worth the effort!

This was an exciting hike for me because it was my first in grizzly bear country. We did not see any bears, but we saw marmots everywhere. They were so cute and would whistle to each other as we passed. The meadow is breathtaking and filled with wildflowers. I highly recommend this hike!

A paved hiking trail that runs alongside Helen Lake. Well-known for wildlife and waterfowl sightings.

The walk is somewhat scenic and needs to hiked on a clear day.The overall area is pleasant. Because it is not too long it would be considered an easy hike.

Nice few, short hike with not much walking in the trees.Lost of alpine flowers and wildlife along the way.

Challenging hike for the 4 of us but it was very worth it. Once you get up there the scenery is truly amazing. The meadow walks were a great contrast to the majesty of the mountains and peaks all around. Nice small lake at the end where we rested, wolfed down our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and favorite beverages. Walk but was a bit hard on the old quads going down hill but a few rests here and there make it all eh ok.

We went past Helen lake and climbed Cirque peak (easy scramble). Next we went to Dolomites pass. Highly recommended! One of the best hikes in Rockies. Could be crowded in peak season though...

This is an interesting hike along a trail that has lots of tree roots that almost act like a staircase in places, you will cross a number if little streams until you get to the meadow. The views on the way up of Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier are simply breathtaking. You then turn and walk a across the meadow with alpine flowers and beautiful pine trees. Wide broad views of distant snow capped mountains and just the occasional bird sound breaks the silence of this serene Place. The meadow widens and flattens with a well marked trail towards Helen Lake. You then cross some slightly uneven rocky areas and a final waterfall, across a boggy patch and finally Helen Lake. Simply sit on a rock and stare at the natural beauty of mother natures creation. Paths are mostly good and single file only in some places. You will not be disappointed. We are not fit adventurous hikers but the 12km round trip was achievable and not too tiring.

The walk was ok and the views so so but it was alright. It would have been nice to have better weather though. It rained but still we would recommend it.

We stayed 4 nights in Lake louise in August 2012 and decided to walk the Helen lake trail. The little parking lot for only 20 cars is 33 km north of Lake lLouise and just opposite the Crowfoot glacier viewpoint. The distance of this walk is 12 km but you can continu up the ridge just behind the lake. The elevation is 455 m, to the ridge 550 m. for splendid views on the mountains. Not difficult at all. I do not think a lot of people make this very entertaining walk. We saw only 20 to 30 people and the weather was fine and sunny but only 15° C..The first part of this walk - including the most of the elevation- is through a shady forest with , in the beginning very little streams to cross. Look out for a super viewpoint of the Crowfoot glacier on the Crowfoot Mountain above the bright blue Bow Lake.After some more than an hour rounding the hill, we were just in front of the majestic Dolomite Peak.At the right you have a enormous view to Mount Hector and Bow Peak.Entering a breathtaking Helen Creek, we seemed to walk on a carpet of flowers - but without walking on the flowers) for more than one km, some splendid light brown moutains at the skyline we were begin august after a wet and cold spring.Take the opportunity at the end of the creek by the crosssing of a the falling water of a little stream to make splendid photographs.Still 500 meters to go with the beautiful Cirque Peak in front;The deep blue Helen Lake is waiting just before. We had lunch time at the lake but remember it can be very windy and rather cool. We went just behind up the ridge.Same way back with a hugh view of the Dolomite Peak, Hector Mountain and Bow Peak in the south.Starting at 9 AM we were back at the parking lot after less than 5 hours.You'll never be disappointed of this choice.Make a more greater day with the visite of Bow Lake (2 minutes drive) and the Bow summit lookout walk of 30 minutes (10 minutes drive) for the incredible views on Peyto lake.