Caldron Peak August 30, 2025

Caldron Peak   25km   1621m total gain (300m loss at start)

Well it certainly was an early start, we wanted to be at the trailhead for sunrise around 7am.  As we reached the Peyto viewing platform the sun was just touching the peak we were aiming for.

I've stood on this platform many times looking at that gorgeous valley and glacier in the back, wondering how amazing it would be to hike up there.  Today is that day!

First up is the 300m drop to the flood plain by Peyto, it is gorgeous seeing everything from a different perspective.  It's best not to contemplate the subsequent gain at the end of the day.

Crossing the many streams is not awful, the largest and deepest crossing is just under knee height. It is strong which leads to some doubt about our return but we are focused on moving ahead as it will be a long day.

After the flood plain, we follow the river bank to reach a waterfall with another crossing (also about knee height) then start up a moraine ridge.

Here comes the sun.

Views unfold the whole time, it is a gorgeous day.  There are 4 people on that ridge below us.

To the right twin waterfalls drop from Caldron Lake above, the lake is not visible until you actually reach it.  

We are feeling pretty good about the entire thing at this point.

As we reach the rocky area before the gully of certain doom, Peyto Glacier becomes visible to the left.  I mean, honestly it's incredible.  

Here's Kevin enjoying the views back to Peyto as I ascend the doom abyss.  On the left is the peak we are aiming for - Caldron.  The trail takes a big U-turn here.

Dramatic shot.  This part of the trail is down to a couple of footprints and a huge rocky drop off (abyss of certain doom) to the right.  We are taking photos of each other here I think.  You would not want to slip or trip on this section.  After dislodging a small rivulet of pebbles down the slope I just keep focus on the trail ahead of me.

After some boulder fields and an easy rock crossing, we arrive at gorgeous blue Caldron Lake.  There are glaciers above feeding the lake.  Since we didn't change shoes for the water crossings earlier we take the opportunity to put new (dry) socks on.

The next part of the trail is easy, across alpine meadows and finally we can take it all in.  

This is the ascent (below), we take the route around the lighter rock.  The right side is the false summit which I believe has stunning views but the other side of this is a sheer drop (as you can see from the viewing platform) so we weren't planning to go from one to the other.  

I've never been good at scrambling so the entire climb is frankly an ordeal.  The views just keep getting more stunning so we persevere.  

I wanted to stop a few times but did not, so here we are.  Hello Peyto, again.  Between you and I, I renamed this lake in the course of the day.  If you are also Scottish you may have guessed what to.

It feels like we are on top of the world.  This is looking toward the Bow Lake area with Icefields Parkway on the left.

One more look at Peyto.  I can see our car, it seems a million miles away.

Delta Glacier is across the valley below Mistaya Mountain on the left.  

The descent is quicker, though frequently alarming as I slide around randomly on loose scree.  We stop at Caldron to refill the water packs.  We are the only people there.  Only 2 others had reached the peak and we saw nobody else after they overtook us (we were still climbing as they descended).

The forecast had been for possible rain at 12 then 3 or 4, but all the cloud has passed to the valleys on either side.  I imagine the narrow slippery trail down on knackered legs would have been worse in the rain.  As it was, the trail required constant focus so as not to slide off.

The first return water crossing is over the 'Caldron baby falls' at the bottom of the moraine crest.  It is fine, perhaps a little deeper but not a problem.  

Then we see a long black shape coming up the trail, what the hell is that.  Oh it's a wolverine!  He goes up toward the tree line to avoid us, bless him but we get a really good look.  That's a first!  No photos sadly.

The next water crossing situation is not good.  We initially try the same point from the morning but it appears waist deep, so we move further down - also nope.  After 2 steps into another channel that's also a fail and we find we are right by the lake and out of options.  

The first steps are alright then it gets alarmingly deep and fast.  The water is milky white with glacial sediment so I can't see into it.  We move across sideways though the water is pushing me back a step here and there.  I can feel the energy leaving my body.  Just when I think I'm done I make an extra step and leap for the bank, landing on my knees.  Kev is behind me.

We are shivering as we cross a multitude of streams (shallow mostly) that weren't there earlier in the day.  We find the return trail into the trees and stop to put on warmer clothes.  Then it's only a 300m slog up switchbacks in the retreating light.  We make the concrete trail just before it's too dark to see then it starts raining. Hurrah!

But did we die?  NOPE!  That was one hell of an adventure.