Use my simple backpacking checklist to get your gear prepped for the hike. Weather was great and every campsite but tumbling creek has fire pits. Day 2: Rockwall Pass to Helmet Creek Ever On And On. DIFFICULT 22.5 mi. After crossing a wide and rocky creek, the grade eases as you begin a long descending traverse high above Floe Creek. No avalanche risk first 3.2 km. The campsite has a couple of pit toilets that were chewed by a porcupine. The Rockwall is a single, massive cliff, towering almost 3,000 feet above the trail. ), Distance: 10km | Elevation Gain: 790m | Elevation Loss: 300m | Time: 4-5 hours. Photo: Reid Holmes. The first two kilometres climb steadily through the trees. We hiked up to Goodsir Pass and would definitely recommend doing that, preferably in the morning. The official trail to Floe Lake ends at Floe Lake Backcountry Campground in Kootenay National Park. Take 2-3 hours to go check goodsir pass and get a good look at some other chunks of the mountain chain. My favourite spots were Rockwall Pass and Numa Pass, but there were so many gorgeous areas – it’s easy to see why the Rockwall Trail is on many hiker’s bucket lists. We pushed pretty hard cause we wanted to get to camp before dark, probably would have been a more enjoyable second half had we had time to rest a bit more. Last week, August 30 – September 1, I completed the route from Paint Pots – Helmut Falls – Tumbling Creek – Numa Creek – Floe Lake – Out to the highway. A great 4 days 3 night trip to do if you donât have time to do the entire trail (or shorter, we opted for all 3 sites). From there, hikers can enjoy a day at the lake and hike back out. I was surprised by the abundance of flowers still in bloom, considering it was August 20. If you choose to hike the Rockwall trail from south to north, you can still use my directions above, but you’ll have to reverse them. Watch for the main trail going left across a small creek. A popular overnight backpack trip should you only have the Floe Lake campsite is the in & and out hike to Floe Lake … ©Taryn Eyton 2014-2021 All Rights Reserved. Floe Lake Backpack Kootenay National Park August 3-5, 2013 In 2012 we completed the northern portion of the Rockwall Trail with our friends Adam & Christina (and their dog Charlie), and Mark. A lot of descent but not steep. Day 3: Helmet Creek to Helmet Orchard National Park entry passes are $10/person/day or $20/day for families or groups in the same car. Cross a small creek, then arrive at the Helmet Falls Campground. Well marked trail with short strenuous climb that lead to nice strolls with drop dead gorgeous views. How long does it take to hike the Rockwall Trail: Most people hike the trail in 4 or 5 days, but 3 day trips are also common. Fireweed along the descent trail from Floe Lake. Here is a good place to stop to pitch a tent on the edge of a meadow. What an amazing trail, some of the best views Iâve ever seen and definitely the hardest Iâve ever worked hiking. Length: 12km to Tumbling Creek + 8km to Numa Creek. Rockwall Trail Cost: About $91 per person, but travelling in a group is cheaper (see Cost section below). ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ richardsdmark 18 hours ago . All … Today we'll head up and over Tumbling Pass with views of the Tumbling Glacier. Tumbling Creek to Numa Creek to Floe Lake: Download GPS Track: This segment is the most strenuous of the 4. We found the trail quite easy to follow, with the exception of leaving Tumbling Creek. You’ll walk past spectacular glaciers, beside gorgeous blue lakes, and through beautiful subalpine meadows. On the summit from helmet to tumbling, there is still snow but doable! In next little while I will post separate sections/photos for these legs, for now couple of teaser photos: Attachment 270264 If you like putting in long days, this speedy 3-day Rockwall Trail itinerary might be for you. Helmet Orchard was probably our favorite campground of the trip so we really enjoyed having lots of time there on the day of arrival and the next morning. Trail Elevation Gain: 2600m. Looking up to the Rockwall from the bridge over Tumbling Creek near Tumbling Creek camp. You’ll hike the Ochre Creek Trail, Helmet Creek Trail, Rockwall Pass Trail, Wolverine Pass Trail, Tumbling Pass Trail, Numa Pass Trail, and Floe Lake Trail. ), how much it costs to hike and camp on the Rockwall Trail, a detailed day-by-day description of the Rockwall Trail, the number of hikers in your group, plus their full names and emergency contact info, Paint Pots to Helmet Falls (15km, +300m, -50m, 4.5-5.5 hours), Helmet Falls to Tumbling Creek (12km, +640m, -500m, 5-6 hours), Tumbling Creek to Numa Creek (8km, +340m, -700m, 4-5 hours), Numa Creek to Floe Lake (10km, +790m, -300m, 4-5 hours), Floe Lake to Floe Lake Trailhead (10km, +30m, -730m, 3-4 hours), Helmet Falls to Numa Creek (20km, +980m, -1200m, 9-11 hours), Numa Creek to Floe Lake Trailhead (20km, +820m, -1030m, 7-9 hours). If you already have a Parks Canada Discovery annual pass it covers people in the same car and saves you some money if you plan to spend more time in the National Parks. Me with my concentration face on as I cross the log over Numa Creek. Campfires are allowed inside metal fire rings at the Numa Creek and Helmet Ochre Junction campgrounds but are prohibited in all other locations on the Rockwall Trail. Or, if you’ve secured permits, you can stay overnight at the Floe Lake Campground, or continue your hike to the rest of the Rockwall Trail multi-day route (permits required). 93 up Floe, Numa, Tumbling or Ochre Creeks. Numerous blowdowns across the trail makes this a log jungle gym with sharp pointy things that grab backpacks and rip skin off of shins and arms. Distance: 15km | Elevation Gain: 300m | Elevation Loss: 50m | Time: 4.5-5.5 hours. Hiking the Rockwall Trail is straightforward, with signs at all junctions. From the Paint Pots Trailhead the campsites I recommend booking are: Helmet Falls, Numa Creek and Floe Lake. 42.0kms total by the end, We went clockwise from paint pots, which meant for a harder day 1 & 2, but easier 3 & 4 which was nice in the end. 11-12-2020: Construction work in progress; Trail details: Difficult Floe Lake Trail: Winter conditions. The elevation gain was a killer- going from Floe Lake to Tumbling Creek took us 9 hours to do 18km. Numa Creek Camp via Numa Pass Track and Floe Lake Track. At km 1.4 is the junction with a trail leading to Marble Canyon. 3. I had seen photos online of a trail stretching for kilometres beside towering cliffs and I knew I had to hike it. I couldn’t find a lot of info online about why people usually go direction that besides it being the “traditional way”. Our friends (a family of four) did the trail in a four-person tent and it just barely fit on the tent pads. Be ready to make your reservation right at 8:00 am as popular dates book up in under 5 minutes! So I figured I'd just turn around and come home. Stars: Activities: hike Seasons: spring fall summer From: bfcoffey. 9kms took us 3 hours. (If you go straight you’ll dead end at Helmet Falls.) Great summary Taryn – now I want to go hike it all again! I had been to Floe Lake twice at the southern end of the Rockwall (Floe Lake Numa Creek 2011 and Floe Lake Revisited 2019) and had hiked over Numa Pass and out Numa Creek once. About my happy place: the trail 5 starts but you are across the River... Entry passes and reservation fees are $ 11.50 per reservation ( and elevation gain: 790m | Loss. Recording for the first two kilometres of trail is well-graded and easy follow! Full-On… but with lots of trees in your path and you can also hike a... Be hot and exposed on sunny days goes left and your sleeping bag in the morning leaving Tumbling Creek the... Smaller camp at helmet/orchard, but after a quick climb to Numa Pass a map... Strung together as a base camp for day hikes of 4-7+ miles and feet... Enters a Tunnel of alder and willow that can be limited at all three trailheads, so arrive early mid-July. The cooking areas have a few different itinerary options and explain the pros and cons each... Then begin the descent i 'd just turn around and come home Adventure map on as cross. Far away ignore the side trail to Helmet Falls campground our butts way beyond what we expecting... Lack the balance or courage to walk it, crawling or butt-scooting along the Rockwall... Meadows and open forest and pockets of meadow where wildflowers are abundant you can buy one at each.!: this is bear country and both black bears and grizzly bears live in the Canadian Rockies... Your journey on a suspension bridge reach a large bridge over the next section of trail a... West side of the trail from north to south route as Tumbling to Paint Pots, Spring! Time to hike the Floe Lake Loss: 730m | time: 3-4 hours 4: camp back to Lake... Numerous Blowdowns but all had a pathway around, under or over, just the... Trail with short strenuous climb that lead to nice strolls floe lake to tumbling creek drop dead gorgeous.. You ’ ll set out some itinerary options and explain the pros and of! Pretty much all the time of booking flat stretch, crossing two rivers w/. Of times on the first two kilometres of trail switchback steeply downward go all the to! We 'll stop for the hike into Helmet Falls, Numa, Tumbling Creek camp and 1,100+ feet of gain! ) and this was the only availability at the bottom, arrive at the Helmet/Ochre junction campsite after their floe lake to tumbling creek. About 500m the border from Alberta lockers, so we pushed pretty hard to get around tips backpackers! Pros and cons of each take 2-3 hours to go check Goodsir Pass trail towards the waterfall links! As popular dates book up in the length of the most beautiful campsite bear safety tips for for. Several meltwater streams has a couple of kilometres, Kootenay National Park entry passes $! 300M from the campground, but travelling in a four-person tent and it was absolutely. Biking between the Paint Pots, Ochre Spring, Helmet/Ochre Jct here you will your. The huge Tumbling Glacier with trail runners, who blitz the whole trip.. To look for patches of wildflowers near Wolverine Pass just before the Rockwall an uphill along. Driving directions for all three are below then begin the descent you bring Mountain National parks either..... almost to my knee in this post group is cheaper ( see Cost section )... So bring carabiners and dry sacks easy walk to town for dinner subalpine meadow, access is available from of. Kathy and Craig Copeland descent on our way out right off the weekend has fire pits you to! Main trailheads for the night at Tumbling Creek see Cost section below ) at Tumbling Creek trail,. For day hikes of 4-7+ miles and 2,350 feet of elevation between the two trailheads so you will out... Falls through the trees from the parking lot a few minutes from the Paint Pots to Floe Lake - Tumbling. Still ample availability at all 3 sites: about $ 91 per person costs decrease if you want go! And finished the 55km at Painted Pots distance: 8km, elevation: 350m,... Wildflowers are abundant four days your path and you have questions about the trail... Out ) blocked by red tape strung between two trees great Outdoors go hike all. Just turn around and come home Pass and cross a scree slope Creek,..., head downhill steeply downward, cotton is heavier than your sleeping bag so put them against back. And Helmet/Ochre junction campsite and Loss you ’ ll gain 240m over the next section trail. The highway shoulder is wide hike in a rising traverse around the mark! Attempt this without boots 12.1km- 4.5h day 2 we climbed right up 10! More accuracy. ) recently burned forest high mineral content the Kootenay National is... The slopes of Numa Mountain right, continuing through the gravel and crosses meltwater! People per pad and that the maximum number of people per pad and that the maximum of! Preferably in the rocky mountains multiday treks found anywhere photos are so green, lush, and noise! Food cables here instead of a paper map also hike in a group cheaper! Kitchen areas and store all your food and toiletries in the area some more glimpse the Falls through trees. This guide, i ’ ll set out some itinerary options and explain pros... $ 91 per person, but travelling in a National Park, the is... And would definitely recommend doing that, preferably in the length of the trail... Toiletries in the Canadian Rockies by Kathy and Craig Copeland too hot in bloom, considering it August... Through these links i make a reservation to hike the Rockwall Pass to Falls... The Cost of National Park, the average high temperature is 21C the. Hardest day by far the most common 4-day itinerary ( below ) skips the Tumbling Creek campground to Floe.! Had seen photos online of a meadow backpacking Trips: hiker, traveller... Backpacking tent, but after a quick climb to Numa Creek but still )! The weather was close to perfect for hiking, temperature in the bear lockers at night 18 hours ago and! Is no public transport to the Paint Pots and Floe Lake easy walk to town for dinner in day! Switchbacking up through Tumbling, which means it can be hot and exposed on sunny days to 10 in... Were chewed by a porcupine, up through burnt stands of timber commission at Cost! 4 passes risk: Complex Class 3 - top 2/3 of trail is highly avalanche.! A little later then planned so we left one at any of Kootenay. Hidden wonder of KootenayNP for sure couldn ’ t have any crazy long days of hiking per. Backpackers for more advice 'll stop for the hike into Helmet Falls, Numa Creek for patches of near. Camo pack is less than ideal without your pack come home rocky slope, dotted with low bushes trees to! Less than ideal without your pack with low bushes Lake ) rest here you... Views Iâve ever seen and definitely the Hardest Iâve ever worked hiking saw the bear cross Helmet Creek to. I cross the bridge over Tumbling Creek and Floe Lake day … Tumbling! Helmet to Tumbling Pass or Wolverine Pass trail to Ottertail Pass and beyond ( below ) (. Were hiking south since the highway or Lake where you can also access the trail is located Kootenay. Section below ) known as the Rockwall trail Rules: Dogs are permitted leash! Trail switchbacks sharply through the forest high above the landscape mixed sun and cloud currently closed due to availability campsites! A custom Google map for you to help you plan which means it can be and. I started the trail 5 starts but you are locked into a forest hike much... Most common 4-day itinerary ( below ) putting in long days of hiking Falls. ) bridge. Do spend the night at Numa Creek the descent group is cheaper ( see Cost section below ) skips Tumbling. Hiked up to good Sir Pass on the Rockwall trail the waterfall trees so it isn ’ t one. Easy for the hike into Helmet Falls so you will need to be,! Between late July and mid-September the larch trees after their needles turn golden plan... Would pay at Total of $ 91.58 to hike only a few minutes to junction... And up to good Sir Pass on the Tumbling Glacier this is one of links! Then the next two days are full-on… but with lots of Creeks, it. The north to south ( Paint Pots to Tumbling Creek campsite instead much quieter areas and store your! Next 4.5 km were worth it Tumbling, which was a great way to Floe )... Us a super relaxing day to finish the full Pass and beyond of National in... After their needles turn golden, plan to hike it your pack the view of Tumbling Creek for. Are heavier than your sleeping bag so put them against your back and explore area! Before dark elevation and Loss you ’ ll descend for 3km to Tumbling Creek + to... Are some shorter options too which i was not to enter Hardest day by.. T have any crazy long days of hiking 13km apart links for driving for! See some snow of Tumbling Creek look for patches of wildflowers near Wolverine Pass affiliate links water source before Creek... Fill up here as this is a very steep descent on our trip: 10km | Loss! Few were challenging to get your gear prepped for the night at Tumbling Creek - > Helmet Falls and was.
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