Cirque Peak – Bow Summit Area

Just over small ridge from Helen Lake is ascent route

View from the summit looking south shows trail to Helen Lk below

Cirque Peak

Scramble: Class 1 – Steep Hiking

Altitude: 2,993m (9,820 ft)

Elevation Gain: 1,050m (3,444 ft)

Ascent Time: 3 – 4 Hours

Best Season to Scramble: End of June to October

Highlights

This scramble begins at the Helen Lake / Dolomite Pass trailhead and takes you up into the high alpine area on this popular hiking trail before the steeper stuff begins. A nice summit with views of the Wapta Icefield to the West and Mt. Hector to the South.

Getting There

Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1 to Lake Louise 187km (116.9 miles). Continue west on the TransCanada for another 2.5km and take the Icefield Parkways / Jasper exit (highway 93) going north. Head north 33km (20.6 miles) to the Helen Lake trailhead. Parking lot is on the east (right) side of the road.

Route Description

Hike the Helen Lake trail for approximately 6km. You’ve gained around 550m (1,800ft) to this point. Continue along the trail (up over a small ridge) for Dolomite Pass until you see the shoulder in the route photo above and begin your ascent here.