Home»All Photographs»2012 Hikes»Tangle Pass-Beauty Lakes 08-12-12

After doing Sunwapta Peak the day before, Peter J. opted for a shorter day and hiked Wilcox Pass instead. This still started us at the same trailhead, and we agreed to meet back at the campsite, allowing Peter a one-way trip over Wilcox Pass. After 45 minutes of hiking together, I branched off toward Tangle Pass. The route involves some bushy terrain, but affords good views enroute to the pass. Then a steep 300 m descent on concrete-like slopes gets you down to Beauty Creek. Then a gain of 200 m over slabs and waterfalls gets you to Beauty Lakes basin. Because there is no trail or signs to this area, you are likely to have it all to yourself, just as I did. The three turquoise lakes are set in a lovely basin. Streams course from each lake, often flowing into submerged tunnels, holes and crevesses in the rock, just to reappear 50 metres downstream. The return hike confirmed to me that backpacking all the way here would be a mistake. The return climb up to Tangle Pass, as well as the trail-less terrain, make this route challenge enough (1200 metres gain and 16km return). I would encourage making a good, long day of this and enjoying it with a daypack. The return hike revealed a nice view of the ascent route of Nigel Peak, a future endeavour.