Marble Canyon Paint Pots Hike

Early in the hike is a bridge where the location makes for a great picnic spot or stopping to skip rocks.

Marble canyon paint pots hike.

The canyon was lovely but not marble at all. Trail signage also indicates the paint pots are en route to the internationally renowned and world famous rockwall multiple day backcountry. The trail runs along the kootenay river which drowns out the highway noise and provides a scenic and cool environment. A great day trip from banff is to drive from banff to radium with stops along the way such as the paint pots hike.

The hike was short and it is an interesting spot with red clay mud and some old indigenous history. It s a very quick hike. There is a waterfall that is beautiful to visit. Paint pots to marble canyon.

Following lunch at the paint pots we re traced our steps to marble canyon where we followed tokumm creek upstream to an impressive waterfall. The trail parallels the highway but there is no reason to be concerned about traffic noise. The trail follows the kootenay river southward to our day s destination. Paint pots to marble canyon is a 4 5 mile out and back trail located near lake louise alberta canada that features a river and is good for all skill levels.

Once in radium you can enjoy a dip in to radium hot springs or if it s a hot day drive the 15 minutes to invermere where the public kinsmen beach is very nice for families. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Combine the paint pots hike with a hike to marble canyon. The trail is primarily used for hiking walking nature trips and bird watching.

Past the bridge over the vermilion river a sharp left turn at the trail junction connecting this trail to marble canyon about 2 7 km miles north continues south and west to the paint pots. This hike is a short one about 6 25 km 3 9 miles and generally flat. The paint pots is a brief and low intensity hike but really muddy in some areas. Very wet conditions in 2019 have made this hike muddy even though its august.

It s etched in knife in the sign that the paint pots are the same route as the other hikes. Then back to the parking area the terminus for our day. A popular trail atop a narrow and dramatic limestone and dolomite gorge eroded by the pounding waters of tokumm creek. The trail is primarily used for hiking walking and nature trips and is accessible year round.

Some of the signs indicated it was a 40 minute hike but we felt it was more like only 20 minutes or so. 6 8 km hiking time. Marble canyon parking lot 89 km east of radium hot springs or paint pots parking lot 86 km east of radium hot springs. The hike wasn t hard.

Plan maybe one hour round trip. It typically has a short walking path that is quite easy when it s own parking area is open.