Sunshine Meadows Hike

Where:

• Sunshine Meadows

 

When:

• September 1, 2024

 

Who:

• Ed, Marilyn

 

Trailhead:

• the trailhead is accessed from the Sunshine Village ski hill parking lot which is about a 20-minute drive from Banff
• 15-minute gondola ride from the parking lot to the base of the ski hill
• 5-minute walk to the Standish chair lift
• 10-minute ride up the Standish chair lift
• the trail network starts straight ahead after you embark from the chair lift
• there are numerous trail choices in the area

 

 

Degree of difficulty:

• it’s about 200 meters of elevation climbing but also a lot more downhill overall
• 6.2 km for the Grizzly and Laryx Lake loop and returning on the Rock Isle Road, which is the trail route we chose
• the trails are all very well marked, and there are ambassadors at the lodge and along the trail who are all very helpful
• the trail is very well maintained, including numerous viewpoints around the lakes and to take in the incredible mountain ranges
• the hike took us three hours at a leisurely pace, taking in the spectacular views

 

 

Interesting notes:

• this area is a hidden gem that I had never discovered before despite skiing at Sunshine Village since the 1970s
• they hand out maps at the base lodge, which are very helpful to pick a trail and know the distances
• there were tons of larch trees in the area, so I plan to return during the 2^nd half of September larch season
• at the end of the hike, we sat outside at Mad Trappers Saloon, enjoying our lunch and the panoramic 360-degree views
• the ambassadors along the trail are tracking any wildlife movement, including a grizzly who was on a different trail from us

• Sunshine Meadows was a popular hiking spot back in the 1920s, and the first ski pioneers started exploring the surrounding slopes in the late 1920’s