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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Castle Lookout

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Panoramic of Bow Valley from Castle Lookout.  Mount Storm and Kootenay National Park to the right

Multiple Dates, last Jan 20, 2023

Castle Lookout is short and sweet hike ending with superb viewpoint of Bow Valley from western slopes of Castle Mountain.  I tend to ascend this little trail regularly ~January timeframe if I am not travelling outside Canada.  Starting from official trailhead ~5km north of Castle Junction along Bow Valley Parkway, trail rises moderately through forest passing remnants of old log cabin along the way.  Grade is steady, and although not overly steep it does provide good workout.  Final part switchbacks open slopes before final brief forested stretch to site of old Fire Lookout and end of official trail.   Trip can be done year round, and trail is often well compacted in winter eliminating need for snowshoes.  Do examine avalanche conditions as upper slopes are open and exposed. 

Interesting continuation is ascent to Goat Plateau above the lookout.  ACC Alpine Hut serves as base for technical climbs of Eisenhower Tower looming above. It is possible to do 1-way traverse by descending on east side and linking up with Rockbound Lake trail (2 cars, or bicycle needed).  Note that, although large parts of this traverse are just class 3/4 scramble, there is one steep wall directly above Castle Lookout that probably requires a rope.  An interesting report with photos can be found here.

Gallery

Mid Point clearing First significant clearing looking back across Bow Valley to distant peaks of Moraine Lake area