Marble Canyon Paint Pots Hike

The trail follows the kootenay river southward to our day s destination.

Marble canyon paint pots hike.

Following lunch at the paint pots we re traced our steps to marble canyon where we followed tokumm creek upstream to an impressive waterfall. Paint pots to marble canyon. Paint pots to marble canyon is a 4 5 mile out and back trail located near lake louise alberta canada that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Then back to the parking area the terminus for our day.

This is an alternate route to the paint pots starting at marble canyon. Very wet conditions in 2019 have made this hike muddy even though its august. This hike is a short one about 6 25 km 3 9 miles and generally flat. Marble canyon is a 0 9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near lake louise alberta canada that features a river and is good for all skill levels.

A great day trip from banff is to drive from banff to radium with stops along the way such as the paint pots hike. Marble canyon parking lot 89 km east of radium hot springs or paint pots parking lot 86 km east of radium hot springs. The trail parallels the highway but there is no reason to be concerned about traffic noise. There is a waterfall that is beautiful to visit.

The trail is primarily used for hiking walking and nature trips and is accessible year round. The paint pots is a brief and low intensity hike but really muddy in some areas. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Once in radium you can enjoy a dip in to radium hot springs or if it s a hot day drive the 15 minutes to invermere where the public kinsmen beach is very nice for families.

Trail signage also indicates the paint pots are en route to the internationally renowned and world famous rockwall multiple day backcountry. The canyon was lovely but not marble at all. Past the bridge over the vermilion river a sharp left turn at the trail junction connecting this trail to marble canyon about 2 7 km miles north continues south and west to the paint pots. A popular trail atop a narrow and dramatic limestone and dolomite gorge eroded by the pounding waters of tokumm creek.

Some of the signs indicated it was a 40 minute hike but we felt it was more like only 20 minutes or so. The trail runs along the kootenay river which drowns out the highway noise and provides a scenic and cool environment. The hike wasn t hard. The hike was short and it is an interesting spot with red clay mud and some old indigenous history.

6 8 km hiking time. Combine the paint pots hike with a hike to marble canyon. It typically has a short walking path that is quite easy when it s own parking area is open. It s etched in knife in the sign that the paint pots are the same route as the other hikes.

Plan maybe one hour round trip. The trail is primarily used for hiking walking nature trips and bird watching.