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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Tilted Valley

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Panoramic View of Heart Lake from top of small Headwall leading to upper Tilted Valley looking west to Skoki Core area

September 13, 2021

There are many possible day hikes radiating from official Parks Canada back-country campground at Baker Lake (SK11) in Skoki -- ranging from several well documented Kane scrambles, to lesser known, but probably more scenic alpine destinations.  One of these is off-trail visit to beautiful valley below Tilted Peak, east of long Sawback corridor below Baker Lake.  This valley also serves as approach to infrequently ascended Mt. Lychnis (3124m - mountaineering, glacier crossings).  Exploratory in nature, trip is also doable as long-day hike from Fish Creek parking at Lake Louise - but it is far better to backpack. This page presents only portion from Baker Lake, and stats in Abstract are given for that.   (Fish Creek - Baker Lake is ~11km, 3.5hrs 1-way).

Just below Baker Lake on main Skoki trail is marked junction:  straight for Cottongrass Pass and Red Deer Lakes, right for Sawback Trail.  Descend and intersect valley trail in ~1km by old weathered Parks Table (as of Sep '21 - see gallery); turn right.  Follow Sawback Trail for short distance only, rest of the trip is entirely off-trail.  Cross alpine meadows aiming in general direction of Tilted Peak.  Key landmark is canyon draining Heart Lake above, with obvious high-angle slab.  There are probably several possible options;  on my trip I simply trashed on climber right side of this feature.  Initial rise is bit steep with moderate bushwhack, but short.  On top of this slab which probably hosts impressive waterfall earlier in summer, canyon slowly disintegrates into gentle grassy draw.  I followed this for ~10 minutes then headed left towards break in treeline.  (Following draw to the end leads to very beautiful "Tilted Tarn", which likely sees no human visits).  Inevitable part above treeline is ascent of short boulder field;  if dry there are no issues except stability (poles).  This bit would present avalanche danger in case of unlikely winter trip.  At top is lower Tilted Valley with beautiful Heart Lake - name coming from unique shape. It is possible to walk around the lake on either side, but right although shorter is more rough - stay left.  This is prime grizzly area - watch for signs in mud.  I've heard of some people making bivouac at far end of Heart Lake, but if aiming for Mt. Lychnis it is far better to continue to upper Tilted valley few only a short distance away above small headwall.   On my trip I just looped around the upper valley before turning back;  if visiting as dayhike from Baker Lake "basecamp", there will be plenty of time for further exploration.   Rough scree slope directly to the right provides scramble access to Tilted Peak - very lose and entirely not worth the effort.   Route for Mt. Lychnis continues for another ~450m vertical to the col where glacier must be crossed for the summit ridge.  Only decent report I could find on Internet of Lychnis ascent is here.

Gallery

Sawback Junction

Weathered Parks Table at Junction with Sawback Trail ~1km below Baker Lake