Rock Isle Lake

BOU AVENUE
Rock Isle Lake

With beautiful weather forecasted for 20 September 2025, Teresa Kosmala, Zosia Zgolak and I hiked to Rock Isle Lake in British Columbia's Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park via Sunshine Village which is located in Alberta's Banff National Park. This is an exceedingly popular hike especially when the Sunshine Village gondola is running which allows quick and easy access to the sub-alpine terrain around the lake. This would also be the last weekend of summer operations for the gondola which is a bit strange considering that the larch-viewing season is just entering its prime, but I suspect that the reason for this is because Parks Canada wants to limit the number of people visiting the area. In any case, I was happy that Parks Canada has not yet implemented a quota system, and I was able to purchase gondola tickets online with ease.

Upon arrival at the base of the gondola, Zosia and I had to present our driver's licenses at Creekside Lodge to pick up our Alberta-resident discounted lift tickets. We then joined Teresa to board the gondola and ride up to Sunshine Village. When we disembarked, we were given a quick briefing about regulations and bear safety before we were allowed to proceed. We then promptly headed to the Standish chairlift and rode it to the top of Standish Hump, an officially-named summit right on the Continental Divide/provincial boundary. From there, we walked south to an observation deck before dropping down to a T-junction with the Great Divide Trail (GDT). Turning left, we descended to the triangular junction with Rock Isle Lake trail. Rock Isle Lake trail makes a lollipop loop which includes visits to Grizzly Lake and Larix Lake, and the loop portion is designated as one-way in a counter-clockwise direction (off-trail hiking is strictly forbidden in the area). Not surprisingly, the trail was very busy, but everyone was patient and courteous. This is not the type of hike where people are in a rush to get somewhere, and photo opportunities abound almost everywhere along the trail.

Upon completing the loop and returning to the GDT, Teresa, Zosia and I hiked back to Sunshine Village via Citadel Pass trail which winds around the east side of Standish Hump. We took an extended break at the village before riding the gondola down to the parking lot to wrap up the trip.

	Zosia and Teresa prepare to board the gondola to Sunshine Village.
	Teresa and Zosia enjoy the views from the gondola on the way up.
	Zosia and Teresa arrive at Sunshine Village. Behind them is Standish Hump.
	Sonny, Teresa and Zosia ride the chairlift going up Standish Hump. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Sonny and Teresa stand beside the Alberta-British Columbia boundary marker at the top of Standish Hump (2390 metres). Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	From the top of Standish Hump, a short gravel pathway heads southward to an observation deck.

And Mount Assiniboine is visible too!

The observation deck grants a comprehensive view of Rock Isle Lake (left), Larix Lake (centre), and Grizzly Lake (far right).

It's strange that Sunshine would not keep the gondola running for another couple of weeks into prime larch season; it must be a Parks Canada decision to limit visitors here. Ironically, this isn't even in a National Park!

Larches here are starting to change colour.

Looks like a very shallow lake that could easily become a marsh.

Zosia and Teresa embrace on the trail beside Grizzly Lake.

	There is nothing like seeing larch trees on a bright sunny day.
	Teresa and Zosia arrive at Simpson Viewpoint.
	Zosia and Teresa hike under more golden larches near Larix Lake. "Larix" is actually the genus name for larch trees.
	Teresa, Zosia and Sonny pose together at the south end of Larix Lake. At distant left is Twin Cairns.

I get tired just thinking about that trip up The Monarch!

The Monarch is reflected in Larix Lake.

Brewster Rock is really just an outlier of Mount Howard Douglas, but we should still hike it one of these days.

Standish Hump, Eagle (Goat's Eye) Mountain and Brewster Rock are all reflected in Rock Isle Lake.

	For some reason, the park authorities felt the need to fence off this trailside rock outcrop overlooking Rock Isle Lake.
	Oddly enough, this rock outcrop--unofficially named "World At Your Feet" (2264 metres)--is not fenced. Photo courtesy of Teresa Kosmala
	Zosia and Teresa return to Sunshine Village via a wide gravel pathway. Visible behind them are Wawa Ridge (left) and Mount Bourgeau (centre).
	Total Distance: 7.7 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 3 hours 45 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 122 metres GPX Data