Bow Falls Hike In Banff National Park.

This short hike to the base of Bow Falls has an elevation gain of approximately 280 meters. The trail is well groomed and marked, allow 2.5 hours for a return trip. The trailhead starts Just behind the Num Ti Jah Lodge located on the north side of Bow lake. The trail runs along the lakeshore and offers beautiful views of Bow Lake, Bow Glacier, Bow Falls and the Wapta Icefields to the south. The Bow Glacier is the headwater of the Blue Ribbon Bow River, world renowned for it's excellent Fly Fishing, Rainbow and Brown Trout. Bow lake itself contains very large Lake Trout and is one of Alberta's best kept fishing secrets. You'll need a National Parks fishing license if you want to try your luck. They're not easy to catch as boat motors are not allowed. If you decide to go canoeing on Bow Lake, beware, very strong katabatic winds can blow down off the Wapta Ice Fields without warning. Staying close to shore is advised. While on the trail to Bow falls you'll see a large boulder wedged in the river canyon, this natural bridge is the start of another trail that leads to the Canadian Alpine Club's, Bow Hut Hostel. The hut is used by climbers and winter skiers. In the winter, Bow Falls creates a popular Ice climb. Ice climbers cross country ski to the base, then climb the frozen waterfall. Due to Bow Lakes elevation at 1920 meters, it has a very short summer season. Often the lake is still frozen by mid June. Helen Lake, Cirque Peak, Peyto Lake Hike, Bow Lake Lookout Hike, Chephren Cirque Lake Hikes, Mount Hector Alpine Climb are all located near here. You are in bear country.