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Sulphur Mountain is a mountain in Banff Nationwide Park within the Canadian Rocky Mountains simply exterior the city of Banff in Alberta, Canada. The mountain will get its identify from the 2 sulphurous scorching springs discovered on the decrease slopes and affords a pleasant mountaineering path to the summit at 2,281 metres (7,486 ft).
The Sulphur Mountain mountaineering path is a well-liked route of reasonable problem that goes up the mountain at a steady uphill with a collection of switchbacks crossing beneath the Banff Gondola. Situated largely between the timber views are restricted, however there are some superb vistas from the open patches that you just hit each from time to time and nice views from the summit. The path itself will not be too busy, however count on lots of people on the prime that made their approach up the mountain within the gondola!
You can too take the gondola up and down or only one approach making this stunning mountain accessible to everybody. There are in depth services on prime of the mountain; a pleasant a boardwalk, view factors, some mountaineering trails, and even eating places, and a present store. For a caffeine junkie like me espresso on the highest of a summit at all times places a smile on my face.
Do a shorter model of the hike by taking the gondola a method or lengthen your mountaineering route by strolling over the mountain and mix the path with another trails to Banff city.
Climbing in Banff Nationwide Park
Banff Nationwide Park is Canada’s oldest nationwide park and is an unbelievable place for mountaineering fanatics and nature lovers with over 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) of effectively marked and maintained mountaineering routes exploring mountainous terrain, glaciers and spectacular alpine forests.
The trailhead to the Sulphur Mountain mountaineering path is situated simply exterior the city of Banff. See our in depth information to mountaineering in Banff Nationwide Park for particulars on a big number of hikes we did in Banff and Lake Louise.
Nearly all of trails are simply accessible from 2 completely different cities, each situated contained in the nationwide park, the City of Banff and the village of Lake Louise 57 km aside by street. The Regional Service is a fast and low cost bus service that runs 5 instances per day between Banff and Lake Louise for $6. Hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse path or do the Huge Beehive hike when visiting Lake Louise.
Attending to Sulphur Mountain from Banff
There are three choices to get to Sulphur Mountain from Banff city; drive, take a public bus or take a free shuttle bus.
Driving
It’s a 10 minute drive from city. Park at park on the gondola or the Higher Sizzling Springs car parking zone. They refill fast in season.
Shuttle Bus
There’s a free shuttle bus departing each day from sure accommodations.
Pubic Bus
The Banff Gondola is serviced year-round by Bow Valley ROAM Transit Companies. Take the Roam Route #1 bus. Simply take the bus from a number of decide up factors on the town to the Banff Gondola ($2 a method). Your ROAM ticket to the gondola is free in the event you present your Banff Gondola ticket to the motive force. Use the regional service bus to get from Lake Louise to Banff.
Sulphur Mountain Hike Particulars
- Distance – 5.5 km (3.4 miles) a method, 11 km return (6.8 miles) – additional 1 km return to Samson Peak
- Strolling time – My time 1h30min up and 45 min down, enable 2h to 4h relying on health.
- Complete ascent/descent – 700 m (2286 ft)
- Issue. Average.
- Trailhead. Banff Sizzling Springs (Gondola Parking Space)
The Sulphur Mountain hike affords a very good exercise with an ascend of 700 meters over 5.5 kilometers rewarding you with some nice views on the prime.
The path is in style for mountaineering, path working and snowshoeing and the most effective time to make your approach up the path is from June by October. Canine are allowed if on a leash. Climbing the path alone in October I solely noticed 2 different hikers, however it was loopy busy on the summit. The beautiful views and a Fort Mountain espresso went down effectively earlier than persevering with down the opposite aspect of the mountain.
Trailhead Sulphur Mountain Hike
The Sulphur Mountain Hike path head is subsequent to the Banff Sizzling Springs at an elevation of 1,580 M (5,200 ft). The trailhead is situated near the bus cease and is effectively marked. and may be reached by automobile or by public transport.
Sulphur Mountain Path
In season the Sulphur mountain path is a busy path that’s simple to observe and it’s a comparatively secure path to hike alone as a result of it’s so busy. The path snakes up the mountain with 27 switchbacks going zig zag up the comparatively dense wooded slope ending on the prime of the Banff Gondola. It’s attainable to proceed strolling at this level. Gaps within the forest enable for some good views alongside the path.
The path begins out comparatively vast and dry, however on the higher slopes, it will possibly have muddy and icy sections, microspikes can turn out to be useful. It’s a comparatively steep 5.5 km hike up the mountain. The views from the highest of the path throughout the park are wonderful. I’ll advocate waterproof footwear and convey sufficient water to make it to the highest, there isn’t a water on the best way.
IIn season the path is busy, however strolling up early October I solely noticed two different hikers. On the prime it was loopy busy. The views from the highest of the encircling mountains is sweet.
Climbing from Banff Gondola to Sanson Peak
The path hyperlinks with a boardwalk on the summit. To proceed mountaineering to Sanson Peak stroll across the gondola constructing to the boardwalk and proceed on the boardwalk for about 500m till you attain Sanson Peak, at an elevation of 2289 meters. There are some good views from the board stroll. There’s a Mountain Climate Observatory and a meteorological station known as the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station Nationwide Historic Website at Samson peak with nice views of the Bow Valley, Spray Valley and the Sundance Canyon.
Sulphur Mountain prolonged hike – proceed to Sundance Canyon and Marsh loop
For an awesome full day hike I mixed Sulphur mountain with two different trails. There will not be many individuals that stroll down the opposite aspect of the mountain, so carry bear spray.
You may stroll over Sulphur mountain and mix the path with strolling to Sundance Canyon and the Marsh loop for a complete hike of 18 km – mountaineering time 4h 25min, Elevation achieve 807m.
After mountaineering to the highest of Sulphur Mountain I had a espresso, explored the boardwalk, Sanson peak and walked down the opposite aspect. I noticed some hikers on the best way up, tons of of those who took the gondola on the prime, however on the best way down the opposite aspect of the mountain I didn’t see anyone and had the entire mountain to myself, solely seeing hikers once more on the Sundance canyon path. Strolling in October the mountain was lined in snow, the golden larches had been stunning with a mixture of inexperienced and golden leaves over the mountain.
It was fast taking place the mountain on the opposite aspect. The Marsh loop is a flat 2.8 km path that encircles a wetland stuffed from scorching springs flowing out of the decrease slopes of Sulphur Mountain.
The Sundance Canyon path begins on the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Website. This path supplies good panoramic views of the mountains throughout the Bow River. Simple, regular climb away from the river, the paved part ends and a reasonably troublesome path loops by a water-filled canyon.
Take the Banff Gondola
Go up and down Sulphur Mountain with the Banff gondola and benefit from the superb views of the encircling valleys even when the hike will not be for you. Do a shorter hike by mountaineering up and taking place with the gondola.
Banff Gondola Worth
The Banff Gondola return worth varies from CAD$58 to $65 relying on time of the day. The worth of a ticket is predicated on projected visitation. Climbing up the mountain and taking the Gondola down is feasible at half the worth of a return ticket. There is no such thing as a low cost for mountaineering down, if you want the take the Banff Gondola up and hike down, it’s essential to buy a full-price ticket.
Sulphur Mountain – The Summit
There are extra than simply breathtaking views on the prime of Sulphur mountain. All hikers gained’t get pleasure from arriving at such a industrial heart on the prime of the mountain, however I loved to have a look round, have a espresso and proceed mountaineering. Should you take the gondola up and down there are some good services to get pleasure from on prime. The higher terminal has a cutting-edge interpretive heart with fascinating shows for teenagers. The multi-sensory Above Banff Theatre allow you to expertise the magnificent Canadian Rockies from the attitude of an eagle. Discover the summit with the Sulphur Mountain boardwalk, the outside 360-degree rooftop commentary deck, 2 eating places, a espresso store and a present store.
Greatest Season to Hike Sulphur Mountain
Sulphur Mountain may be hiked all yr spherical. In Summer time this path may be very in style with many hikers. There’s a waterfall the place you’ll be able to clean up in summer time about 3/4 up the mountain. In winter it’s pretty quiet with many gondola customers going up the mountain. There’s a campfire on the commentary deck in winter with an awesome view. Micro spikes and mountaineering poles shall be of nice assist if the slopes get icy in chilly climate. In September after I hiked the path there have been solely a handful of different hikers strolling up the mountain.
Superb Hikes in Canada
British Columbia has some very good hikes, see our favorite hikes in Vancouver. Don’t miss mountaineering the Grouse Mountain when in Vancouver. The Stawamus Chief and the Garabaldi Lake hike, are nice hikes to do from Squamish or discover a buddy to do the difficult Black Tusk path. On Vancouver island the powerful West Coast Path is an incredible path alongside the coast, tenting on the seashore. In the other way The Juan de Fuca path is a bit shorter and extra versatile, however nonetheless a spectacular hike and incredible accomplishment to finish.
Packing to hike round Banff
Ice crampon/cleats helps to stroll on ice with out slipping if you’re mountaineering in chilly climate.
My Garmin Fenix 5 GPS Watch is an incredible mountaineering instrument; measuring velocity, elevation, coronary heart charge, mapping and extra.
Climbing within the snow, waterproof gaiters are incredible to maintain snow and dust out of your boots!
My Salomon X Extremely Prime gortex boots, nice pair of trainers, all seasons. Retains mud, snow and rain out. Comfy, mild and fully waterproof.
Girls mannequin, Alya loves her Girls Salomon X Extremely boots .
I at all times carry a light-weight rain jackets in my daypack, the North Face for girls or North Face Resolve for males
BUFF Multifunctional Headwear – for solar and wind safety (doubles as a face masks).
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