Last updated on August 12th, 2024 at 11:16 pm
If you are planning a trip to Waterton Lakes National Park, you’ve probably heard about the Crypt Lake hike in the park. This adventurous hike is not for the faint of heart and has been acknowledged by National Geographic in 2014 as one of ‘The Worlds Most Thrilling Trails’. So it’s a popular hike! We were lucky enough to hike it early in the season before the summer crowds arrive in town and with the warm spring, the shuttle opened a week earlier than usual, so we got a reservation at the Townsite campground and headed to Waterton to check out the Crypt Lake hike for ourselves.
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Getting To The Crypt Lake Hike
The easiest way to get to the Crypt Lake hike is via a ferry boat shuttle with the Waterton Shoreline Co. They run ferries daily but due to the popularity of the trail they recommend purchasing your ferry ticket as soon as you can when you get to town. In the shoulder seasons they run one ferry out and one ferry back, during the peak summer season they run two ferries in the morning and back again in the afternoon.
I’d recommend getting to the boat docks in town early to catch the first ferry if possible, this will make the hike up more enjoyable as you won’t have to worry about anyone coming in the opposite direction. It’ll also be a little cooler! A return ferry trip will cost $32 for the 2023 season.
What To Expect From The Crypt Lake Hike
Length: 17.5km return
Elevation gain: 675m
The Crypt Lake hike is a long day, taking people an average of six hours to complete. Once you disembark the boat, you pass the trailhead sign and into the forest where you will hike up a series of switchbacks.
Shortly after starting the Crypt Lake hike you will come to a trail junction signed for Hell Roaring Canyon. When we were on the boat they suggested not hiking this trail unless you had the time on the way back down. We hiked it on the way down and it was steep. Stick to the main trail and the switchbacks on the way up.
You gain elevation quickly at the start of the trail, the switchbacks are nice and mostly long, not too steep, making this section of the ascent fairly easy. Before you know it, there are some gorgeous glimpses looking down onto Upper Waterton Lake.
The Crypt Lake hike then levels out somewhat and you can make fast time on this section of the trail, as it heads through the valley towards Crypt Lake. A lot of this section is through the forest so there was a fair amount of shade during the morning. It winds its way around the edge of the river gaining and losing small amounts of elevation as it goes.
As you leave the forest the trail becomes more rocky and you are initially faced with a rather steep climb over loose rock. There are switchbacks but in the heat it is wise to take you time. A waterfall plummeting over a cliff comes into view as you gain elevation. A gorgeous spot to take a moment to rest. But with no shade, we quickly kept moving.
If you thought the end of the Crypt Lake hike was above this waterfall, so did we, unfortunately a further headwall appears in the distance with another waterfall flowing over it. It is over this headwall, you will find Crypt Lake.
More elevation gain on this section of the Crypt Lake hike follows, with a mix of long switchbacks helping you along the way, before the trail traverses around the side of the mountain. In the distance you can see where the trail disappears into the cave.
The traverse provides some of the best views on the Crypt Lake hike, as you look right back down the valley where you have come from. Just before the cave, the trail gets thin, as you hike along a small ledge. This section is a challenge for anyone with even a small fear of heights.
The next obstacle on the Crypt Lake hike is a short but skinny metal ladder which takes you up into the cave, a long step gets you back onto the rock. Then it is time to think skinny to get through the cave. I kind of shuffled sideways through, but if you have a larger pack, you may need to take it off.
There are some big steps down from the cave, back on to the ledge. I had to sit down to make these steps safely. Once down and across a small ledge section, you reach the start of the chain section on the Crypt Lake hike.
The chain is helpful in many parts as the trail gets steep and goes up some rock steps. It was, as always, considerably easier going up than down, something to keep in mind. Take this section slowly and use the cable as much as possible.
After the chain section the Crypt Lake hike levels out and it is fairly easy hiking from here to the lake. We had some early season snow to cross still which we took our time on. Then you are in the trees, a short trail around and over a rock band and then a short descent gets you to the lake.
Crypt Lake is a beautiful spot, since it was early season we were unable to walk around the lake, but during the summer months this is possible. Instead we sat at the lake, enjoyed some lunch and soaked our tired and hot feet!
Make sure to keep your eye on the time as you want to give yourself around the same amount of time to get back down to the boat as it took you to get up. It is back the same way you came to get out. Keep in mind many of the latter sections of the trail close to the lake, only allow one way traffic, so this could slow you down somewhat. We decided to wait until everyone got to the lake before we started to head back.
On the way out, we decided to take the Hell Roaring Canyon trail, the views were incredible! But it was hard hiking, a skinny trail over loose dirt and rocks and at times, really steep. This section will test you mentally and get your knees burning.
I’d recommend only taking the Hell Roaring Canyon trail on the way back along the Crypt Lake hike, if you are feeling strong. It was considerably harder than the trail we came up on. The views are worth it though if you have the energy.
Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get back to the boat dock, the boat waits for nobody!
Items You Should Consider Packing To Do The Crypt Lake Hike
You will want solid footwear which you are comfortable hiking 20 kilometres in. My personal choice is hiking boots but I saw others in trail runners as well.
Save your knees on the descent by taking hiking poles. They can be a bit annoying getting through the tunnel and using the chains but you’ll be thankful for them on the rest of the trail.
Pack lots of water or take a water filter as there are a number of creeks you can fill up at, our favourite is the Katadyn BeFree filter. Make sure to test it before you go though!
An SOS device is important too, there is no cell reception on this trail and so if there is an accident it may be a long walk to call for help. We have the Garmin InReach Mini 2 and although not necessary, I certainly always feel better hiking with it!
Sun protection, once you leave the trees on a hot day you have no shade. Sunscreen, a good hat and a sun hoodie were all necessary when we hiked the trail.
I wouldn’t leave home without bug spray either. Spring is prime tick season in Waterton, tick specific bug spray is ideal when hiking during the spring. We luckily didn’t encounter any but we were warned prior to our trip to expect the worst.
Never leave home without a small first aid kit too, I got a blister from my socks and a plaster made it more bearable to finish the hike.
