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Hike to Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass

Sawback, Alberta

5.0/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

12.5 miles

Elevation Gain

3360 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jon King

This out-and-back hike will take you some of Banff National Park's most scenic lakes and incredible mountain views. 

The trailhead for Bourgeau Lake/Harvey Pass is on the west side of Trans-Canada Highway approximately 5 miles west of Banff.  The turn-off is approximately 0.9 miles past the Sunshine Village Ski Resort exit.  There is a small parking lot and a restroom at the trailhead.

Enter through the gate to begin.  Initially, the trail steadily climbs through the forest with long drawn out switchbacks.  You’ll have several glimpses and a crossings of Wolverine Creek.  Eventually, the trail opens with a scenic waterfall formed by the creek.  The trail significantly steepens just past the waterfall.

Continue your climb until you reach Bourgeau Lake.  The lake is approximately 4.6 miles and 2375 ft of elevation gain from the trailhead.  With its emerald water and mountain backdrop, Bourgeau Lake is a perfect lunch/snack spot.

After hanging out at Bourgeau Lake, continue on the trail toward Harvey Pass.  Just past the lake the trail narrows and steepens again.  Follow the switchbacks until you reach the boulder field.  Here the trail turns rocky and may require a bit of scrambling.  

After the rocks you’ll come across a gorgeous unnamed lake.  From here to Harvey Pass the scenery is simply epic.  You’ll pass a smaller unnamed lake on the right and soon reach Harvey Lake.  Harvey Pass is a short climb past Harvey Lake.  Here you’ll have incredible views of the surrounding Canadian Rockies.  Harvey Pass is approximately 1.5 miles with 985 ft of elevation gain from Bourgeau Lake.

Allow 6-8 hrs to complete this moderate to strenuous out-and-back hike.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Forest
Lake
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Reviews

Long day with varied terrain and views. Switchbacks through the trees are relatively gradual angles though after you get into the alpine the trail is mostly straight. Lots of pikas, goats and caddisflies. Some mosquitos as well.

This is a hike you do when you want something with more of a challenge, less people, and great scenery. We ate lunch at Bourgeau Lake before finishing up to Harvey Pass, the area there is quite wide open and it is not hard to find a great spot to relax. My only advisement would be (and this should be any hike once you are in the mountains) bring extra layers! On the same hike we had rain, hail, snow, and warm sunshine.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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