August 16, 2007: Seasonal trail closure to allow Grizzlies to feed on abundant berry supply. Details here.
Facts
| Distance: | 23 km (14.29 miles) round trip |
| Start Elevation: | 1,520 m (4,987 ft) |
| Max Elevation: | 2,079 m (6,821 ft) |
| Elevation Difference: | 559 m (1,834 ft) |
| Total Elevation: | 750 m (2,461 ft) |
| Time Required: | *2.5-4 hours roundtrip |
| Season: | May - November |
* Note: These are running times not hiking times. The fastest times are for someone with a 10km road pace of under 6:30/mile or 4:00/km.
Details
| 0-1.1 km | Rolling dirt trail |
| 1.1-3 km | Some elevation including a loose shale section |
| 3-7.3 km | Rolling dirt trail, roots |
| 7.3 km | Aylmer Lookout Junction (Left: Aylmer Lookout, Right: Warden's Cabin) |
| 9.9km | Aylmer Lookout Junction (Right: Aylmer Lookout, Left: Aylmer Pass) |
| 11.5 km | Aylmer Lookout Summit |
Links
Overview
The first 7.3kms follows the Lake Minnewanka trail. At the 7.3km mark there is a campsite and a trail junction. Turn left for Aylmer Lookout or keep going for the Warden's Cabin. Up until this intersection the trail is relatively flat aside from the early climb over a rocky shale section. The section from the junction to the lookout is pure uphill grind. It is all runnable but at a slow pace.
Trailhead
Park at the Lake Minnewanka trailhead parking and walk along the paved trail until it ends at the trailhead for this run.
Car: Drive out of town along Banff Avenue as if heading toward Calgary. When you reach the Trans Canada Highway, keep driving toward Lake Minnewanka. At the 9km mark you will see a large parking area just in view of the lake. Park here and run or walk along the paved trail for just under a kilometer to the trailhead.
Run: If you want to add 18kms to the run then follow the directions above. Otherwise, bike or hitch a ride.
Public Transit: Not Applicable
Lake Minnewanka/Aylmer Lookout Trailhead
Banff Townsite, 
Lake Minnewanka/Aylmer Lookout Trailhead
Trail
A really sweet mix of relatively flat terrain followed by a big 4km climb to the summit. As with all out & backs you are rewarded for all of the uphill work with a great return route.
Connector Options:
Out & Back
You can run out to the Warden's Cabin before or after Aylmer Lookout if you are looking for a longer run. Once you descend from the Lookout, at the 1.6km point there is a sign and you would turn left to return to the Minnewanka Trail. If you turn right you will reach Aylmer Pass after 3.4kms.
Route
| Google Maps | Google Earth | MotionBased | GPX
Elevation (Round Trip)
The first 7.3kms follow the lake Minnewanka Trail. At this point you take a left turn and the uphill begins. 550m in 4.2 kms. It's all runnable but it's definitely a grunt. Once you're at the top it's all in reverse with a 4km downhill descent before returning along the banks of Lake Minnewanka.
Photo Gallery
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety
The usual precautions apply as far as wildlife goes. Can be relatively busy with mountain bikers so keep your eyes open.
Take extra care during berry season (mid July to late August) as there is a lot of bear activity out here. In fact you may find this area closed if the bear activity warrants it. Make lots of noise and carry bear spray.
Tips
The trail along the banks of Lake Minnewanka gets very busy in the summer particularly on weekends. It's a very popular trail with mountain bikers as well as hikers and overnight campers. Starting early will avoid the crowds and you'll enjoy the cooler part of the day.