Henry MacLeod Trail Hike in Jasper

A hard to get to hike

Beauty near the end of the Henry Macleod Trail

If you hike the Henry MacLeod Trail – beginning at the far end of Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, you’re in for a treat. But unless you’re camping at the Coronet Creek Campground, accessibility is a huge issue.

Certainly mountain climbers make it into a multi-day trip but your average Joe isn’t about to paddle 21 kilometres, hike 16 kilometres and paddle 21 kilometres out again in a day.

However, the Henry MacLeod trail is a great hike if you are planning to spend a few nights camping on Maligne Lake.

The Henry MacLeod Trail starts at the far end of Maligne Lake
The Henry MacLeod Trail starts at the far end of Maligne Lake

What you’ll see on the Henry McLeod Trail hike

The hike starts just past the tent pads at the Coronet Creek campground. The trail is signed at the start and at the rustic campsite eight kilometres later.

No other signage is around but 99% of the trail is obvious. The only time you may have to look around a bit for the trail is after each of the stream crossings.

I loved the mix of trail underfoot – soft mossy, almost bouncy through the woods to stony paths alongside the river. Most of the time there was some sort of view though it wasn’t until about a kilometer from the end that you could enjoy full on glacier and mountain views.

Great texture in old stump on the Henry Macleod Trail
Great texture in old stump on the Henry Macleod Trail
Remnants of a huge debris flow
Remnants of a huge debris flow
You might see the odd deer on the trail
You might see the odd deer on the Henry MacLeod Trail

The Henry MacLeod trail is the sort where you can take your time – especially since you’re not rushing back to your car to drive home. Stop and admire the wildflowers. Eat lunch by the river. Dunk your head in the river if it’s a really hot day. Smell the pine scented air. This is definitely a hike for the senses.

The only concern hiking the Henry MacLeod Trail – and it’s a bigger issue earlier in the season, is that you must make two stream crossings. Take some time to scout the best place to cross.

Very happy we didn't have to cross this raging stream
Very happy we didn’t have to cross this raging stream
Me - enjoying this hike
Me – enjoying the Henry MacLeod Trail
Some of the gorgeous mountain-glacier views along the hike
Some of the gorgeous mountain-glacier views along the hike
At times lovely walking on mossy trails
At times lovely walking on mossy trails

The trail doesn’t gain a lot of elevation – perhaps 300 metres in total. At the end of the trail – if you’re so inclined you can explore the lower moraines of the glacier though that might entail more stream crossings.

The official Henry MacLeod Trail ends at the nearby camp - though climbers will head for the glacier
The official Henry MacLeod Trail ends at the nearby camp – though climbers will head for the glacier
Rough campsite on the Henry MacLeod Trail
Rough campsite on the Henry MacLeod Trail
The Coronet Glacier
The Coronet Glacier
The trail along the river's edge back to camp
The Henry MacLeod trail along the river’s edge back to camp
A brain numbing hair wash - with biodegradable soap
A brain numbing hair wash – with biodegradable soap
Interesting lichens and flowers on this old tree stump
Interesting lichens and flowers on this old tree stump
Lots of colour in the woods in early July
Lots of colour in the woods in early July

Interestingly we hadn’t planned to do this hike. We thought we’d walk a kilometre or two and turn around – and have a relaxing day at camp instead. But we wanted to see what was around the next corner, and the next… The Henry MacLeod trail hike turned out to be far more delightful than anticipated.

Visit the Jasper National Park website if you need more information.

Further reading on things to do in Jasper National Park

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

Henry MacLeod Trail hike in Jasper National Park

 

 

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