Cascade Falls

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Cascade Falls

Because we had some social engagements in the city later in the day, Zosia Zgolak and I chose to do a short, non-committing hike to Cascade Falls in Alberta's Banff National Park on 17 June 2023. This area is popular with climbers both in winter and summer, and consequently, there is a good access trail leading to the base of the falls. The small trailhead parking area is located on the west side of Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive about 400 metres north of the Banff Avenue-Trans-Canada Highway interchange. Vault toilets are available at the nearby Cascade Ponds day use area on the east side of the same road.

Before getting started, Zosia and I took a quick stroll around Cascade Ponds which had yet to be overrun by tourists. For our main hike, we crossed the northeast end of the Banff airstrip and easily found the start of the climbers' access trail to Cascade Falls. We had no problems hiking to the base of the falls, and we probably could have scrambled even higher if we had the inclination. However, there were some technical climbers ascending beside the falls, and it was probably best to avoid getting in their way. As such, we retreated back down to the airstrip and followed a double-track to the southwest. Just beyond the southwest end of the airstrip, we left the double-track and followed a faint game trail rising up the forested hillside to the northwest. We climbed steeply through a burned area and eventually stumbled onto a seemingly forgotten climbers' access route marked by flagging and a few stretches of fixed cables and ropes. We followed this route up to the base of a big cliff band, and although we could have continued higher, our time was running out. Instead, we carefully descended the same way without incident and ultimately returned to the parking lot via the same double-track beside the airstrip. When we arrived at our car, we were surprised to see our friends, Chester Fitchett and Marta Wojnarowska, parked beside us. They were out for a leisurely drive in the mountains and, by coincidence, ended up right beside our car. Zosia and I had a nice chat with them before departing for home.

	The day use area at Cascade Ponds is teeming with Columbian ground squirrels. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Some of the peaks of the Palliser Range are reflected in one of the Cascade Ponds.

It's hard to believe somebody skied down this side of the mountain!

Cascade Mountain is reflected in its namesake pond.

Just like at a shooting arcade!

A family of Canada geese make their way across the Cascade Ponds.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

	Zosia passes a locked gate at the entrance to the Banff airstrip. Aircraft are allowed to land here only if there is an emergency.
	The climbers' access trail to Cascade Falls begins near the sign at the edge of the forest.
	Zosia reaches the base of Cascade Falls.
	Zosia continues up increasingly steep terrain.
	Zosia and Sonny pose at a viewpoint overlooking the Banff airstrip with Mount Rundle in the background.
	The Fairholme Range stretches across the eastern horizon. Cascade Ponds are visible at lower right.

Where to next from here?

Here is another look at Mount Rundle and the Banff airstrip from the base of Cascade Falls.

	Sonny climbs past a burnt section of forest about 700 metres southwest of Cascade Falls. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia comes across a large cairn near the start of an unfamiliar climbers' access route.
	Zosia follows a fixed cable up this steep section of rock.
	The climbers' access route continues up this big cliff band. It is difficult to see, but there is a fixed rope higher up. Zosia and Sonny would turn around here.
	Zosia carefully descends the same way she came.
	Total Distance: 4.6 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 3 hours 29 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 431 metres GPX Data