Crypt Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park 8/26/2023
Crypt Lake is considered one of the most exciting hikes in the world, and a definite must-do when in Waterton National Park. It is only accessible via a boat ride from the Waterton Marina, and only from June until October. The dates are largely based on safety, this trail has some very narrow and tricky spots higher up that would not be fun with snow or ice!
Boats run in the morning to the trailhead, 8:30 or 9 typically during the busy season. Tickets are not reservable online, so if you can, purchase tickets the day before at the marina. The trail itself isn't overly steep, but there is definitely a good deal of up in the beginning and then towards the lake. Several waterfalls are along the trail, but during this dry summer and end of season, most were dried up when we hiked.
The highlight is the tunnel section of the trail, and the narrow ledge leading up to and beyond the tunnel, but this section takes up a very small portion of the hike. With caution it is done fairly easily, but people with a strong fear of heights will definitely want to take note. The hike was nearly thirteen miles long with the addition of walking all the way around the lake, but we skipped the option to detour into Hellroaring Canyon. Time was a factor, and the water levels being low meant it wouldn't be as impressive as earlier in the season.
The lake is beautiful and a great picnic spot on a summer day, but time is a factor for this hike. There are only two return boats: one runs at 3:30, which we took, the other runs at 5:30. If you miss that one, a campout or a long walk back to town is required. The 3:30 boat was very full, and the boats are on a tight schedule, so if you aren't there at the time they leave, they aren't coming back for you! They do make extra stops if they have the available staff, as the boat trip is only about 10 minutes to the trailhead. Waterton is tiny, but there are restaurants for after hike re-fueling, and a stop at the Prince of Wales is an absolute must. There are many other hikes in Waterton making it worthy of a weekend excursion, just know that most other trails went through the big fire of 2017 leaving them exposed but still beautiful. Crypt is definitely the highlight, and worth the trip in and of itself.
*music by Lite Saturation, available on freemusicarchive.org
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