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Rockies :: Banff-Louise ::

Arnica and Twin Lakes / Arnica Ridge

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Arnica Lake Panorama during late September Trip.  "Arnica Ridge" upper left

Multiple Dates, last Sep 29, 2025

One of most scenic moderate hikes in Banff National Park leading to beautiful alpine lakes under cliffs of Storm Mountain. The approach described here follows official parks trail starting from tourist lookout on Banff-Radium Highway (Hwy 93), but it is also possible to hike in via Altrude creek at Castle Junction - or combine the two for loop hike, in which case 2 cars are needed.  Shorter variation is to hike just to Arnica lake which is the most beautiful of the 4 visited along the way.  This is also recommended fall season trip as there are many larches around the lakes.  Pleasant option is off-trail ascent of minor lookout above Arnica/Twin divide unofficially called  "Arnica Ridge" from where both sets of lakes can be seen.  Upper Twin lake has official campground for those wanting an overnight trip.  This is just a part of possible multi-day excursion as trail continues past lower Twin Lake over Gibbon Pass to Shadow Lake and beyond towards expansive alpine of Sunshine area.

Park at viewpoint on south side of Hwy93, about 1 minute west of Boom lake parking lot.  Watch for opposite lane traffic if coming from Castle junction! Parking lot is not too big, but majority of people will be tourists that just stopped for few minutes to snap a photo.  Trail starts next to official park kiosk and descends to Vista lake which can be seen from the parking.  You lose ~120 vertical meters to the lake -- keep this in mind as you must ascend this at the end of the day if hiking back the same way!  Trail crosses Vista lake outlet on good bridge, then starts steady ascent on mostly forested slope.  Grade is moderate with several switchbacks.  Forest opens higher up and it is worth a pause for moment or two to enjoy views of peaks north of Hwy93 -- including Mt. Whymper, Mt. Boom and Bell, as well as Quadra Mountain above Consolation Lakes valley.  You gain about 500 vertical meters on the way passing pretty seasonal tarn along the way.

Beyond Arnica trail climbs for another ~150 vertical meters to col separating it from Twin Lakes cirque;  this is "Arnica Ridge" junction.  Past the col trail drops steeply losing close to 200m vertical till upper Twin lake. Official campground is on the far side of lake outlet crossed via easy rock-hop. It takes about 45 minutes from Arnica to upper Twin and then another 15-20 minutes to lower Twin, which is a day-hiker turnaround point.  Marked Altrude creek trail junction is just before the bridge over the outlet and is recommended return with 2 cars as it avoids all the ups and downs when returning the same way. It is far less scenic though as most of the way back will be spent under tree cover.

I also visited Twin Lakes via Altrude creek drainage starting near Castle Junction.  It is considerably less scenic, but faster approach allowed enough time to continue on Bow Highline to Gibbon Pass and even ascend unofficially named "Little Copper".  See here for full details.   Gallery below is mix of photos from 2 different trips and thus shows alternate conditions.

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Arnica Ridge

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