Google Map |
Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Mount St. Piran |
GPS Track |
 
Lake Louise from ascent slopes of Mount St. Piran. Little Beehive to the left, Mt. Fairview upper right |
|||
| Trip Summary | |||
Multliple Dates, last Oct 12, 2022
St. Piran is easy ascent above Lake Louise. Main difficulty is elbowing through tourist hordes at Louise Lakeshore, and subsequently on uber popular Lake Agnes approach trail. After turning into signed Little Beehive trail ~10 min below Agnes Teahouse crowds thin considerably. Little Beehive Fire lookout foundation is brief side trip with good views of Bow Valley corridor (gallery). St. Piran trail switchbacks up open avalanche slopes dotted with larch trees in lower part; if you can hit it right ~late September it will be good place as any for golden larches color change. After reaching shoulder trail turns west and easily climbs through rock outcrops to wide summit with several corral walls. Great views with so little effort. On a sunny summer weekend it will be super busy, but I usually have it to myself during somewhat regular mid-October trips.
Return is either the same way, or - as I recommend - loop by descending west ridge, then angling down to Nibblock/Whyte bowl and hiking out via Lake Agnes Trail. This option is somewhat more involved than ascent as it involves descent on steep talus/heather slopes below the col. In winter / early spring this bowl is huge avalanche trap and a no-go zone. It is also possible to extend the day by hiking over Big Beehive over to Plain of Six Glaciers, or even include Devil's Thumb scramble for a full day. |
|
Gallery |
|||
 Louise Lakeshore
Starting up from Louise Lakeshore. L-R: WH - Mount White, BB - Big Beehive, NB - Mount Niblock, SP - St. Piran, LB - Little Beehive |
|||
 Little Beehive
Foundation of old Fire Lookout at Little Beehive after early Autumn snowfall |
|||
|
|
|||
 Larch Trail
Golden Larch Needles Carpet on lower St. Piran ascent slopes |
|||
 Piran Shoulder
View north up Icefields from shoulder ~15min below the summit as Trans Canada curls left towards BC |
|||
 St. Piran summit
Summit Plateau of Mount St. Piran. L-R: FV - Mount Fairview, TM - Mt. Temple, HD - Haddo, AB - Aberdeen, M- Mitre |
|||
 West Ridge
Optional return via St. Piran / Nibblock col is easier than this photo might suggest |
|||
 Piran - Niblock col
Cairn at Niblock / St. Piran saddle looking north towards sunlit Mt. Hector |
|||
 Agnes Lake
Sunset at Agnes Lake. Teahouse is at far end of the lake on left side, Big Beehive upper right |
|||
 Agnes Star
Sun setting behind lower Mt. Whyte ridge on a winter hike. Devil's Thumb upper left |
Abstract
| Overall Difficulty | D4 | Mostly steep hiking. Loop descent (optional) has some easy scrambling | |||
| Snow Factor | S4 | Steep avalanche slopes. Winter trip not recommended, in particularly return via Niblock / Piran col | |||
| Scenery | Classic Lake Louise. Golden Larches late September. Impressive Niblock / Whyte bowl on loop return | ||||
| Trail/Marking | Good | Official Park trail with signposts to the col Little Beehive, followed by well defined switchbacks via Normal Route. Eroded trail with cairns for west ridge return | |||
| Suggested Time | 5 hr | Loop return via Niblock / Piran col. Add several hours if extending day to Devil's Thumb or Plain of Six Glaciers | |||
| Elevation | Start: 1660m Max: 2630 m Total: ~1000 m | Round Trip: ~12 km | |||
| Gear | Hiking poles helpful for stability on steep talus slopes | ||||
| Water | Several streams in Lake Agnes vicinity. Carry 1 - 1.5L | ||||
| Dog Friendly | Yes | Trail to Lake Agnes / Big Beehive is very busy -- please keep pet on leash and under control. | |||
St. Piran GAIA Map
St. Piran Elevation Profile