How to Hike Mt. Temple
Hiking Mt. Temple, located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, is an iconic, challenging and, beautiful hike, lasting around a 10 hour adventure. It's important to approach this hike with preparation and respect for the mountain's conditions and difficulties, the best time for the Mt. Temple hike is mid August. If you're going to hike Mt. Temple, be prepared for some of the most challenging of human trails and some of the most incredible views.
- Length: 15km there and back.
- Time: 10 - 12 hours to get there and return back, fitness level dependent.
- Rating: Difficult.
- Elevation Gain: 3544m/11,627ft.
- Bear in Area: 4 - 6 people in group.
- Basecamp: Moraine Lake.
- Additional Gear: Hiking poles and helmet.
"Psst, turn the cell phone on it's side."
Traveling on other info.
There are both the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass routes. They both go the same path until Larch Valley arrives at the final Minnestimma Lake. The Sentinel Pass section merrily goes on from the lake and up to the view point between Larch Vally and Paradise Valley. There is more information for these locations, please click through if they are your actual destination.
What gear will I need?
Clothing, dress in layers. Include a waterproof and windproof jacket. Footwear, wear sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support. Navigation, bring a map, compass, and GPS, know how to use them. Water, at least 2 litres of water per person. A pair of hiking poles for added balance and some walking ease. Quality head gear, helmet. High energy snacks. Emergency kit, include a first-aid kit, knife, whistle, and headlamp. Bear spray, very important.
Should I check the weather?
Seasonally, the best time to hike Mt. Temple is from late July to September when the route is mostly free of snow. Weather check, mountain weather is unpredictable, check the forecast and be prepared for sudden changes. Physical fitness ensures you are in good physical condition, it's a strenuous hike with significant elevation gain.
To start, you will be walking along Moraine Lake for a few minutes, take this as good time to notice an incredible view of a pristine lake. You have an immaculate lake surrounded by 10 peaks, Moraine Lake Lodge and a perspective Rockpile Trail to offer you a great view.
If you are walking just a few minutes past the canoe rental, you will come to a turn off that will take you right, away from the view of Moraine Lake.
As you make your right turn onto the trail "Larch Valley" and "Sentinel Pass", the Moraine Lake starts to disappear, within a few minutes you will come across the first switch back trail. As the switch gets underway, there will not be as much of a view. You'll find when you just about reach the top of the switch back you will come to an area that has been cut away, with a wonderful view of the Fay Glacier across from Moraine Lake.
What will I see on the way up?
Once you get past the first switch back you will find the trail opens up and you get a new view of Eiffel Peak, Pinnacle Mountain, Mt. Temple plus the 10 peaks. Minnestimma Lake's will be one of the last ones you encounter before hiking up the trail on the Sentinal Pass where you will be on the top lip and looking into Paradise Valley. This is where you make your turn to start hiking up Mt. Temple.
If you make it to Sentinel Pass and want to call it completed, you have had a trip of medium difficulty. When you make it a decision to summit Mt. Temple, you have now made the hike difficult. We now put scrambling into the conversation.
How difficult is the trip up to Mt. Temple?
Parcel scrambling Mt. Temple is now very difficult. It goes over 10,000 feet, you will need your helmet, the trail is ruff, and even if you are at peak strength it will be a difficult task. Mt. Temple is known for taking up to a few lives every year.
You will notice in the added photo of Mt. Temple that they have lines pointing out how to travel when moving upwards (light green), and going downwards (dark green). This is one of the trickiest areas of the hike, people have been known for getting lost or running into something nasty when trying to go up.
What will I see at the top?
When you reach the top, you will be surrounded by other mountains that fill your eyes with glory. If you look down far below on Moraine Lake and its surroundings, including the 10 mountains, Tower of Babel, Rockpile Trail, Consolation Lakes and your current trip to Larch Valley, Sentinel Pass and finally Mt. Temple itself the rest of the way.
Conclusion
For the roundup and last scheduling thoughts I will let you know how it worked. One of the more beautiful hikes to walk, except the walk through the switch back trail, has completely inspired all who go through it for the first time. Yes, even the big smiles on their faces.
The round up. Walking beside Moraine Lake until you need to turn up the right path to make the lake disappear and to begin the switch back hike. This is starting the hike without any view, when you come to the near of the area, you will have a bit of access to view.
Once you get past the switch back you will find the view of the other mountains, of trails to the other Eiffel Lake and Eiffel summit, that will be well marked and an easy left turn if necessary.
When you react to the end of the Larch Valley trail and the final water pond, this is good. You then have the option of journeying through to the extra bit of walk through the Sentinel Pass, the pass that wonderful view of the end of Larch Valley and the beginning of Paradise Valley. And last, the only most gruelling thing, taking a right from Sentinel Pass up the Mt. Temple for a few hours until you reach the top.
Then repeat it on the way down, remembering to stay right until the way down portions of Mt. Temple, that is the only difference. Cheers!
YouTube Video of Summiting Mt. Temple
