Cirque Peak

Follow the Helen Lake-Dolomite Pass trail described in the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide. The trail ascends moderately, but steadily through subalpine forest for the first few km. I came across a marmot (see photo) sunning itself on a rock beside the trail. He didn't seem to mind posing for pictures. After 3 km, you break out of forest cover into open terrain. From this point, you can look back at the Crowfield glacier from a higher vantage point than that offered by the highway turnoff.

As you make your way up the southeast end of the Cirque Peak ridge, Cirque Peak comes into full view. This initial impression seems to indicate a strenuous but relatively easy hike up to the top. The last few kilometers to Helen Lake pass by a recent rockslide and fewer trees indicating tree line had been reached in the area. You also get some nice views of Dolomite Peak (2998m/9833'), a difficult scramble.

Once you reach Helen Lake, you have a couple of options on how to tackle the lower slopes of Cirque Peak. The first edition of Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies suggested traversing to the left of the rocky outcrop to reach talus slopes. I however was feeling more adventurous and decided to tackle the rocky outcrop head on. There are plentiful hand holds and the rock is firm for the most part. The second edition now suggests following Dolomite Pass trail around to the right of the outcrop to find a suitable path to the shoulder. This however provides fewer challenges.

Whichever way you get to the shoulder, now its just a slog up scree slopes. As you near the top, a minor rockband is easily tackled. The true East summit is actually about 15 minutes further along the summit ridge. A little more care is needed here but there are no difficulties. For your extra effort, you can record your ascent in the summit register.

From the summit, you can see Dolomite Peak (2998m/9833') to the southeast, just 5 meters higher than your current viewpoint, albeit a much more difficult endeavor.

From the summit, you can see the glaciated Wapta Icefields to the west and ice covered Mt. Hector to the southeast.

From the summit, you can view down along the descent route to Helen Lake 1800' below. The advantage to all that scree on the way up is that it makes for a very quick descent. I decided to bypass the rocky outcrop and traversed right to reach talus slopes leading down to Helen Lake. While a fair number of hikers reached Helen Lake, I was the only one who made the ascent up Cirque Peak that day.

Back to my scrambles list.

©1994 All images by Craig Knelsen. All rights reserved.

Created: Mar 22, 1998.  Revised: Nov 11, 2002.