Burstall Pass Larch Season Hike

Traci Grossi | October 20, 2021 | Hiking | No Comments

Burstall Pass larch season occurs in mid to late September, an incredible time to hike this alpine trail to view the larch trees in their colorful display of oranges, yellows, and gold before these needles drop off for the winter.

Burstall Pass is approximately a 16 km trail leading to a breathtaking summit with a couple of lakes and tiny falls to enjoy along the way.

The Hike

This hike is somewhat of a long trail however there are lots to see if you take the time to stop and smell the roses. So many people just go full steam ahead to get to the finish line they actually miss out on so much.

“It’s not all about the destination but the journey”

We started this hike with some friends but soon ended up on our own as we like to take our time and be open to exploring if a new path presents itself, especially if it leads us to a water feature which they usually do.

On this trail, we discovered 3 water features that were definitely worth heading off the beaten path for. It’s hard to explain where these features were however if the sound of water is present follow the nearest faint trail to find them. They were only 100-200 meters off the trail.

It ended up a 17 km hike which took us around 5 and a half hours to complete including the points of interest we found, but well worth it.

Closer into the alpine the larch trees appear where the trail opens up to some breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain. It’s a beautiful walk through the golden larches.

The trail then heads upward onto a rocky but sturdy path winding around the cirque. Some stunning views here as you head closer to the summit where a breathtaking view of the valley below viewing the trail and how far you’ve come.

Conclusion:

Burstall is a great hike year-round. Nice trail for snowshoeing around the frozen lakes or fall as we were lucky to catch the first snowfall which soon melted in the day’s sun. A moderate hike with a steady incline however the only steeper sections were nearing the summit but very doable.

In the summer months, there are many water crossings so be prepared to get your feet wet.

Best Larch Hikes

There are many hikes in and around Calgary that show the colorful larches on display. You don’t even need to head to the mountains however a larch tree amongst a mountain backdrop is stunning. Here is a list of some of the best.

There are areas in your own neighborhood that may surprise you. Take a walk through the neighborhood parks such as Coventry Hills, Glenmore Park, Baker Park, and Crowfoot Park are a few ideas to check out if a road trip to the mountains isn’t feasible. A road trip into BC up some old logging roads is full of larch and tamarack trees as well.