Observation Peak

Observation Peak is located just off the Icefields Parkway, past Bow Lake and right near Peyto Lake. Right near the turn off for Peyto Lake viewpoint, there is a gravel road on the right hand side. Turn onto this road and this is where you park. Start the trail by following the road. You cross over some little streams, and the trail into the forest is marked by a cairn. Turn right onto the trail and follow the trail through the forest until you come to a gully. We stayed on the right hand side of the gully going up. Keep your eyes out and find a path to gain the ridge. Heading up the ridge there are many tiny trails, but as you start to get to the scramble sections follow the cairns. This trail is VERY WELL marked by cairns. There are a few fun scramble sections, and then you arrive at the false summit. The trail until the false summit is step and non-stop. Its a leg burner! You gain 1100m over a short distance. The summit is about fifteen-twenty minutes past the false summit, and it is relatively flat and beautiful soft scree to walk on. The views from the summit are amazing! If the weather is nice, plan for a good amount of time at the summit as the view is well worth enjoying. Follow the same route back down the mountain. Roundtrip time was five hours.