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One of the best hikes in the world is the
ROCKWALL
Hikes in this area known as:
- Floe Lake
- Tumbling Glacier
Have you hiked this area recently?
This page is a stub we are researching. You can expand it by emailing suggestions in the appropriate sections below. Our editors will add your comments. Thanks!
The red dot is KOOTENAY National Park.
 AT A GLANCE
- a demanding 55km (34.2mi)
- 4-5 nights tenting
- July to mid-September
You will never forget the Rockwall, an awesome cliff almost 3000ft high and 33mi long.
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
We never tire of this trek. It has everything you could possibly want in an alpine adventure. Highlights include:
- roaming off-trail near Wolverine Pass
- icebergs calving at Floe Lake
- Helmet Falls, one of the highest in Canada
- marvelling at the colours of the Paint Pots and Ochre Beds
- huge Douglas Fir and Engelmann Spruce
- the add-on sidetrip to Goodsir Pass
- chance to see mountain goats and porcupine, even the elusive wolverine
- hanging glaciers and alpine cirques
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CONSIDERATIONS
EMERGENCY, CALL (24 hrs) 403.762.4506. Cell phones range is limited in the mountains, however.
- biting insects can be terrible, especially at Floe Lake
- plenty of up-and-down hiking
- trails can hold snow until early July
- water is scarce on some sections
- watch for grizzly bears (though you are still at far greater risk of injury driving to the trailhead than from bear attack)
- creek crossing may be necessary
- Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks are a risk during the spring and early summer
- budget for a series of fees — hiking is not cheap in Canadian National Parks. (National Parks vehicle park pass, hiker Wilderness Pass, campsite fees, etc.)
- there is no charge for a Wilderness Pass for children 16 years of age and under
- an annual Wilderness Pass, valid for one year from the date of purchase, is also available
- backcountry campgrounds are first-come, first served
- the weather is highly variable. It can snow any day of the year. Or it can be 30°C (86°F).
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ROUTES
Though it could certainly be done in less time, we recommend 4-5 nights on the trail, allowing 2 nights at Tumbling Creek campground. Spend the extra day (weather permitting) exploring Wolverine plateau and scrambling up to Tumbling Glacier.
Adding the sidetrip to Goodsir Pass, as well, is highly recommended.
Canadian Rockies SuperGuide  describes the hike starting up Floe Creek but it is equally good done in the reverse direction.
Other options:
- loop from Paint Pots up Helmet Creek, over Wolverine to Tumbling, and back down Tumbling Creek 38.2km (23mi)
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LOGISTICS
- the closest major airport is Calgary, Alberta (YYC)
- rent gear if needed at MEC in Calgary
- getting to the trailhead can be difficult. You may need to find private transportation.
- (highway campground) Redstreak (50 sites) has showers
- backpacking Kootenay requires a park-use permit and a user fee.
- purchase a Wilderness Pass from Parks Canada visitor centres up to 24 hours in advance or the Parks Canada's office in the Harry Hays Building in downtown Calgary.
- make arrangements for shuttle transportation between the beginning and end of our recommended route—about 13km (8mi). Otherwise, you could try hitchhiking.
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Contact the National Park with questions or to confirm details:
Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre
(250) 347-9505 <email>
off-season information can be obtained from the
Yoho National Park Visitor Centre.
(250) 343-6783 <email>
INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED?
Safest is a guided trip. Browse these adventure tour companies:
LOCAL INFORMATION
BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS
There are several good hiking guidebooks. But we love Graeme Pole's innovative binders where we can remove just the relevant pages for our hike, carrying them in a protective plastic slipcover. Be sure to get the most recent edition.
The Copeland guide is excellent too, rating hikes from 1-4 "stars".
BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS
- Lonely Planet Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks - Miller, Derby, Lukas, 2004
- Moon Handbooks Canadian Rockies - Andrew Hempstead, 2005
- Moon Handbooks Alberta: Banff, Jasper, Northwest Territories - Andrew Hempstead, 2004
- Lonely Planet British Columbia - Andrew Hempstead, 2004
- Moon Handbooks British Colombia - Andrew Hempstead, 2005
- Frommer's Banff & Jasper National Parks - Christie Pashby, 2004
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OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Gadd is our bible in the Rockies: flowers, plants, animals, birds, fish, geology, history and much more.
BEST MAPS
BEST WEB PAGES
After this page, the best links are
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
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