MadMountainMegan

June 11th 2024

Distance: 6.9km Elevation: 685m

If you are in the Yoho/Banff area, Hunter Lookout is a good early season hike as the snow will have melted earlier then other hikes in the Yoho area. When we did this hike, many of the Yoho hikes were still snowbound. After this hike we did Wapta Falls and stayed in Banff after for my birthday.

The Trailhead

The trailhead is a 2 hour and 40 minute drive from Calgary. Take Highway 1 all the way to Yoho National Park. Drive past Field towards Golden. Turn left into the parking lot for “Wapta Falls”. Park at the first parking lot. The Wapta falls lot is further back.

The Hike

From the parking lot cross Highway 1. Be extremely careful, this Highway is busy and people go fast. The trail starts out mellow through the trees until you cross train tracks. Also be careful crossing the tracks and if a train is passing stand in the forest, trains will throw rocks. The incline starts, steady and steep up hill. The path is very nice as its an official trail. There are not many views going up and is mainly in the trees. You will reach a fork in the road with a sign. Turn left for the fire lookout. Turning right will take you to the upper lookout, which we did not do. The trail somewhat flattens out as you reach the lookout. You are unable to climb the lookout tower as they cut the ladder but you can still go in the lookout cabin. The lookout cabin has seats, but does have a lot of mouse poop inside. The view from the top is of the valley Wapta Falls sits in and you can see the Highway 1 valley.

Side Notes

• This hike is in a National Park, you must buy a park pass at the gate or visitors center.
• This hike would probably be okay in winter with spikes,
• There is some cell service in the area.
• You can hear highway noise for most of the hike.
• Wapta Falls is close and is nice to check out after.

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