Backside of Minnewanka Lake?

[sn4cktime]

Have a buddy at work who wants to do the hiking portion at the end of the trail.  I've never driven out to it before.

From anybody that's done it, what's the trail like.  Easy cruise, or going to take some effort?

[Hi Lo Silver]

Very easy to get to but make sure you stop at the National Park boundary and no further. It's only about 1 km to the boundary from the Ghost River Road. I haven't been there for more than 15 years but the road wouldn't have gotten any worse.

[Spinalguy]

We are in that area often. The trail/road is 4x4 friendly in stock form. 2wd cars would not do well.
If you stop before the river you are legal.

[SwampSinger]

The back of Minnewanka is the 3 ghost lakes...  Like Hi Lo Silver said please stop at the National Park boundary.. you are in a valley ...it's pretty hard to get lost but you never know... I looked once all day for a ice climber that got lost in that Valley  about 5 years ago... It's a great place to snow shoe  ....

If you are looking to fish there, you might be SOL  in the 2 first lakes.. they are usually dry (I found that out the hard way ... the 3rd one is usually good.

There will be a kiosk at the entrance of the Nat. Park with a map of the trails.

PS: Be aware there are a few cougars in this area... I can tell you  a good story next time I see you.

The road/trail is easy

Have fun Tyler!

[sn4cktime]

Thanks for all the info.  We were thinking about brining the fishing rods, so good to know about the lakes too.

[Hi Lo Silver]

Fishing is good but used to be better when you were still alowed smelts for the Lake Trout in there. Make sure the lisense you have is for the National Parks. Dom, funny thing about the 3 Ghost Lakes prior to Minnewanka. I've seen them change in the matter of 3 weekends in a row that I hiked back there. All lakes are full of water during the season eventually. That's what that diversion dam in the valley is all about.

At the kiosk telling you you're at the park boundary, you'll notice a slash through the trees indicating the park boundary the entire length through that valley. Not 100% sure but I do believe your vehicle can get conviscated if you're in the National Park with a motorized vehicle.

Last year the Canmore news paper had a link to some canoeist's (?) that got some pictures of a cougar taking down a ram Big Horn Sheep.
http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1107509
http://www.travelooce.com/cougar-attacks-bighorn-ram.html