Created 12-Nov-23
16 photos
Tunnel Mountain is perhaps the most visited summit in Banff National Park. Being simply a steep walk, it is perfect for families and tourists looking for a short outing. For this reason, it has flown under my radar for many years. I decided to pair it up with the Surprise Corner to Hoodoos hike for a satisfying half-day out.
The ascent of Tunnel Mountain involves about 260 m of elevation gain. There are interpretive panels and the Parks Canada red chairs near the summit. There are pretty good views of the Bow Valley below.
Next, we hiked from Surprise Corner, which overlooks the Banff Springs Hotel, to The Hoodoos - natural sandstone formations along the banks of the Bow River. This was a quiet trail and the snow flurries lent a peaceful vibe to this section. We saw a white weasel run among the tree trunks at the edge of a large meadow. To cap off this outing and the Super-Saturday season ender, we listened at the edge of the last meadow to elk bugling - a hallmark of the rutting season.
The ascent of Tunnel Mountain involves about 260 m of elevation gain. There are interpretive panels and the Parks Canada red chairs near the summit. There are pretty good views of the Bow Valley below.
Next, we hiked from Surprise Corner, which overlooks the Banff Springs Hotel, to The Hoodoos - natural sandstone formations along the banks of the Bow River. This was a quiet trail and the snow flurries lent a peaceful vibe to this section. We saw a white weasel run among the tree trunks at the edge of a large meadow. To cap off this outing and the Super-Saturday season ender, we listened at the edge of the last meadow to elk bugling - a hallmark of the rutting season.
© Peter Hudak