Sawback trail 55 Km -updated Jun 27

Slow and Steady Hikers
**Sawback trail 56 Km** Moose Meadows/Luellen Lake/Wildflower Creek/ Hidden Lake/Lake Louise
The **Pulsatilla Pass** is the defining peak of the trek, views of Sawback and Slate Ranges. The **Baker Lake** is framed by Brachiopod Mountain and Heather Ridge. The bedrock along the Sawback Trail system is composed of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, spanning the Cambrian to Permian periods (~540 to 250 million years ago). These limestones, shales, and dolomites were originally deposited in an ancient shallow sea and were later thrust and faulted into vertical ridges (roughly 80-70 million years ago). The name SAWBACK originates from tooth like appearances of the peaks.
**Sunrise & sunset:** 655am -705 am/827 pm -8 am
**To keep in mind**: The bridge over the Johnston Creek at Inkpots is damaged; hence Banff visitor Center says the trail to Luellen Lake closed; Per Lake Louise Backcountry this trail will be open before our start date of Sep 3rd.
**Departure point**: We shall park at Moose Meadows, because Johnston Canyon lot is busy and a paid parking.
**Backcountry Reservation**: done for three pads; one tent per pad; maximum number of persons allowed is 4 per pad per tent.
**Day 1: 2nd Sep Wed: Moose Meadows Parking Lot to Luellen Lake Campground: Distance: 16.2 km**, estimated time 5-6 hours, Elevation gain/loss: +708m/-149m Jo18 (Johnston Creek camp) **3 pads booked.** Luellen Lake is about a Km away.
The hike from Moose Meadows to the Ink Pots is a simple 5.3 km trail where it meets up with the trail coming up from Johnston Canyon. From the Ink Pots we head across the meadows cross the bridge over Johnston Creek, continue on the Johnston Creek Trail to reach Larry’s Camp (Jo9) at 7.6 km. We shall stop for a short break, cross the creek and go left to continue towards Luellen Lake, right takes us to the Mystic Pass. We continue for another 8.5 km through a mix of meadow and forest, climbing gradually to reach a wide-open area and a sign pointing left or west towards Luellen Lake. We pitch our tents at Jo18 (Johnston Creek camp) and then climb gently for about 15-20 minutes to reach peaceful Luellen Lake . An outlet stream from the lake, is the source of water and passes Jo18
**Day 2: 3rd Sep Thu: Luellen Lake to Wildflower Creek Campground (Ba 15) via Pulsatilla Pass:16.6 Km / estimated time 6-7 hrs Elevation gain 430m and loss 300 m** 3 pads booked
We continue on the Sawback Trail as it heads northwest up the valley. The 6.3 km hike on the Sawback Trail to the Badger Pass Junction Campground is an easy one, a gentle elevation gain of 100-120 m; It gets prettier along the way with the Sawback Range coming into view. We may have to fjord a stream, and continue walking northwest, through the willows till Pulsatilla Lake (300 m climb in 3.9 km) where we shall drop our packs and relax. We descend steeply down into the trees for to reach Ba 15 Wildflower Creek Campground (junction point of Baker Creek Trail). Anticipated soggy ground, avalanche debris, flash flood rubble in this section. We need to look for flagging tapes and hikers’ signs, to identify the trail. Once we reach the subalpine meadow, the hiking will provide sweeping views up the valley.
**Day 3: 4th Sep Fri:** **Wildflower Creek to Baker Lake (SK 11) 5.3 km; then thru Deception Pass to Hidden Lake campground (Sk 5) 6.8 km; and continue 7.1 km to Fish Creek trail head: Distance: 19 km
Elevation gain:**
The terrain profile is rolling with the route navigating through subalpine meadows and rugged, rocky passes. The trail climbs steeply through a rocky, alpine landscape, cresting Deception Pass, which offers dramatic, sweeping views of Ptarmigan Lake and the surrounding peaks. We descend from the pass winding along the northern shore of the lake; possibility to encounter muddy trail sections before we further descend toward the Hidden Lake junction. We continue towards the historic Halfway Hut. Just down from the hut, we will reach an intersection. If we want, we turn off towards **Hidden Lake,** approx. a 3.2 km return trip **(**we take the trail fork that branches toward Hidden Lake, departing from the main Skoki Loop. The side trail descends through subalpine terrain for about 400 meters before reaching the Hidden Lake Campground). The last 6 Km from Baker Lake Camp ground to Hidden Lake junction (Sk 11) is very beautiful. The last 3.9 km is a dreary trudge on a fire road with nothing to write to home about.
From Baker Lake Camp Ground to Lake Louise Trail head, it is a paltry 140 m elevation gain, with an overall loss of 700 m.