Alpine Flowers at Sunshine Meadows

Sunshine Meadows, located at the top of the mountain at Sunshine Village Ski Resort is a summer oasis. The alpine flowers and rare lichens are protected with designated pathways to keep you on track and off of them. Staff are quick to correct anyone who steps off path for that perfect mountain picture.  Fear not, there are many opportunities for stunning photos. 

 

 

Trip Tip: You must purchase a gondola ticket to take you up the mountain.

Going Up

The gondola ride to Sunshine Village takes 20 minutes. For this hike you’ll need to leave fido at home. No dogs are allowed in the gondola.

 

 

Once you arrive at the Village, there are several directions you can go for hikes.

 

 

We took the Standish chairlift up another thousand feet to the very top of the mountain. Here Banff National Park and Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park provide a seamless panoramic view. A substantial viewing platform has been built overlooking the valley.

 

 

This view is vastly different from a ski day in the middle of winter where the mountains are softened by snow. In the summer, the Rocky Mountains look…naked. You can see different colours of rock, the jagged edges, dips and valleys, and where a fire in BC licked the trees bare in 2017.

 

 

A viewing platform provides information about the mountain ranges around you and gives a birds-eye view of Rock Isle Lake, Laryx Lake and Grizzly Lake far below.

 

Going Down

The lakes were our destination on this trip. We wanted to do the Grizzly/Laryx Lake Junction loop that would take us to the edges of all three lakes.

 

 

Trip Note: This route is longer than it seems. Bring water and pack a snack.

 

 

The descent from the viewing platform is significant onto clearly marked pathways. There were folks with walking sticks and sturdy shoes, and there were some wearing only flip-flops (which kind of blew my mind). The real champions were the young mothers and fathers who carried babies on their backs in rucksacks up and down the mountain. Props.

 

Trip Note: This hike is not for strollers, and may be difficult for those with mobility issues.

 

Rock Isle Lake

This is the first lake we reach on the hike. We will walk past it again on our way out. So many stunning photo opportunities!

 

Grizzly Lake

This lake is the smallest and farthest to the right when viewed from the platform above. The path beside this lake is narrow and sometimes crumbling into the water.

 

Laryx Lake

Both times we’ve been on this hike we have stopped at Laryx Lake for refreshments. There are multiple benches along this glorious lake to take a minute to enjoy the surroundings. We saw a loon here but he dove too quickly for a picture.

 

Rock Isle Lake

Return.

 

Sunshine Meadows is known for it’s wild alpine flowers. The majority are in bloom at the end of July, although we still managed to see quite a few in mid-August.

 

Headed Back

You do have the option to return to Sunshine Village via Rock Isle Road. This lets you avoid the path that goes directly up to the viewing platform where you would then take the chairlift down. Instead, you walk around this part of the mountain and descend a flat but long downhill road to the village.

 

Wildlife

There were plenty of ground squirrels that were fattening up for winter.  We also got lucky and spotted a deer.

 

Up Again!

Remember all the down? Those gorgeous vistas, clear lakes, stunning flowers? You’ll need to keep that in mind on the way out.  There’s only one way out … UP!

 

 

This hike is no joke in that regard. The 4.3km hike has an elevation gain/loss of 265m. Thankfully, there are plenty of benches along the marked path so you can stop and catch your breath. Take your time and enjoy the view!

 

At 7,000 Feet

At the end of our four-hour hike, and especially after the uphill climb out, we stopped and had a bite to eat at Mad Trapper’s located at the bottom of the Standish chairlift in Sunshine Village.

 

Timing – Breaking it Down.

We left Calgary at 7:30 am and returned at 4:30 pm. We hadn’t really planned to be that long but forgot that this hike takes longer than we thought. Honestly, the only flat parts of the hike are around the lakes, otherwise, you are climbing up or going down. The hike took four hours, the drive to and from another three, gondola and chairlift another hour. We stopped for a quick bite at Mad Trapper’s and there goes a nine-hour day.

 

 

We clocked about 12,000 steps and 33 flights of stairs this day (before our watches died). It was a lot of effort but so worth it. You be the judge. 

 

For other hike ideas:

If you only have a half day available check out our trip to Grassi Lakes.

If you are looking for a less expensive day trip check out our trip to Siffleur Falls.