MapElevation |
Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Natalko Lake Crossover |
GPS Track |
Lovely cascade draining Scarab into Egypt Lake below Mummy Headwall |
|||
Trip Summary | |||
July 23, 2019Natalko (Talc) Lake loop is a great day-hike from Egypt back-country core area. Ultra fit trail-runners could do it as day trip from Sunshine / Healy area, but this would be nonsense; besides physical exhaustion this kind of strategy does not allow enough time to explore and fully appreciate the area. It is far better to overnight either at official Parks Canada Egypt Lake back-country campground (E13) or Egypt Shelter -- 13km approach via Healy Pass (1 way). Official trail with signed junctions exists for Scarab/Mummy lakes on the west side, while Talc lake can be also hiked from Redearth Pass. Link between these 2 trails that forms a loop is easy off-trail scramble via "Sugarloaf col" -- rubbly pass between Sugarloaf Mountain and Unnamed Peak to the south. Whole area is dotted with larches and simply magical in September, but summer trip as presented on this page is well worth due to to abundance of wild-flowers that carpet the meadows around the lakes. Talc Lake bowl has great mid-morning light for photographers which is another argument for overnight trip. There is not much difference between CW and CCW direction, although CW (Talc lake first) has slightly easier route-finding. Sugarloaf Mountain can be scrambled (class 3) from the saddle by navigating between peeling cliff bands; about 2 hr return from the saddle.
From Egypt Shelter / Campground follow signed trail to Whistling Pass, passing Egypt Lake turn in few minutes. Ensuing headwall is steep and awkward; steep trail with roots and rocks, more belonging to rough Vancouver North Shore terrain than docile Rockies. You gain ~200m vertical in this part but it feels more than that. Nice views of towering Pharaoh peak above are good reason to stop for a breather. After topping up, descend a bit then leave Whistling Pass trail at signed junction and descend through meadows to Scarab Lake. Trail rounds on east side; make sure you visit lovely waterfall draining into Egypt Lake (title photo on this page) -- phenomenal photo op, and it might be worth lugging a tripod just for this. Evening light is probably best. Trail then crosses Scarab outlet on a log, then climbs towards the Headwall below Mummy lake. Meadows below the headwall (gallery photo) offer great view of Sugarloaf col scramble route. Mummy Lake trail ends at grassy overlook above the headwall. It looks it might be possible to side-slope from here to Sugarloaf col in order not to lose elevation, but this would be very awkward. Instead descend back to meadows then easily scramble to the col from there (~20min at most). Sugarloaf mountain would be straightforwards scramble from here -- turn left and zig-zag between short cliff bands to the top (~1hr at most).
Descent to Talc lake bowl is less steep. Follow shallow gully hopping over boulders then descend meadows looping slightly left to Talc lake outlet (~30 min from the col). Or better, leave meadow as impressive waterfall draining into Talc lake comes into view and hike over. Steep descent on grass leads to north end of Talc lake (gallery photo); this area is very infrequently visited, but offers stunning views. Hike along north side of the lake is on grass and entirely straightforward. Look for hiking sign nailed at tree near lake outlet and pick up good trail; it descends in fairly wide angle to Redearth Pass. Turn left and hike back to Egypt Core area (~1 hour from Talc outlet).
|
Gallery |
|||
Beautiful Scarab Lake, about 1 hr from Egypt Core area. Scarab Peak behind | |||
Trail crossing meadows below Mummy Headwall (right). Ascent route to Sugarloaf col center. Easiest line stays to the left of prominent snow patch lower down, then zigs diagonally towards the low point. Takes no more than 15-20 minutes | |||
Side trip to overlook above beautiful Mummy Lake. It would be fairly awkward to side-slope from here to Sugarloaf col; return back to meadows below headwall (previous photo). Scarab Peak center left, Whistling Pass far right in the distance |
|||
View to the other side from Sugarloaf col. Stay right in the middle of shallow gully descending to meadows below. Monarch behind | |||
Looking back to Sugarloaf col as talus gives way to meadows. | |||
Impressive waterfall draining unnamed peak into Talc lake bowl. Area is dotted with larches that are on fire 2nd half of September! For a closer look, leave grassy draw you have been following and trash down to north shore of Talc lake | |||
View back from Talc Lake outlet; Sugarloaf Mtn. upper right. I trashed down to lake shore descending that grassy area center left (in the shade). For return to Egypt core look for hiking sign near lake outlet and pick-up well-defined trail descending to Redearth Pass. |
Overall Difficulty | D4 | Rough and steep trail above Egypt Lake. Class 2 boulder scramble to Sugarloaf col. Minor route-finding on descent to Talc lake bowl. | |||
Snow Factor | S3 | Ski or snowshoe trip from overnight at Egypt Lake shelter is feasible. Mummy side is steeper and could slide under right conditions. | |||
Scenery | Magical area with several sparkling back-country lakes. Larches and Meadows | ||||
Trail/Marking | Good / None | Official Park trail with signposts to Scarab and Mummy lakes. Off trail scramble over Sugarloaf col to Talc Lake bowl. Good trail again on Talc/Redearth side | |||
Suggested Time | 5-6 hr | For full loop including side trip to Mummy Lake. Scramble to Sugarloaf Mtn (class 3) will extend trip by ~2 hrs | |||
Elevation | Start: 2000m Max: 2320 m Total: ~600 m | Round Trip: ~12 km | |||
Gear | Full hiking boots. Hiking poles very helpful for stability traversing talus slope on either side of Sugarloaf col. GPS helpful for off route part, but not required. Climbing helmet useful for a short section only and in very large group. | ||||
Water | Several creeks between lakes. Fresh water readily available. Carry no more than 1L | ||||
Dog Friendly | No | Back-country area that can be visited as backpack trip only & dogs are not allowed in Egypt shelter or campgrounds. |