#23 – Canadian Rockies Day Hikes: Cavell Lake Trail
- Location: Jasper National Park
- Trailhead: Astoria Creek Trail off of the Cavell Road
- Type: Out-n-Back
- Rating: Easy
- Total Distance: 1/2-mile
- Trailhead Elevation: 5,684′
- Total Elevation Gain: 35′
- Recommended Time: 15-30 minutes
- Recommended Season: Mid June – Late September
Cavell Lake
The shore of Cavell Lake is the perfect place to get the best reflective views of the gorgeous Mount Edith Cavell. At 11,033 feet Mount Edith Cavell isn’t the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies as that record goes to the 12,972′ Mount Robson. However, Mount Edith Cavell is one of the most prominent and beautiful peaks, not only in Jasper National Park, but in Canada. This short hike on the Cavell Lake Trail to the lakeshore provides the best views of the iconic peak.
Cavell Lake Trail
From the Astoria Creek Trailhead located on the Cavell Road, the lake can not be seen. This causes most visitors to pass right by the gorgeous lake without ever knowing it was there on their way to hike the Path of the Glacier Trail. Visit Cavell Lake early in the morning to see an amazing sunrise and to find easy parking as it is a very small parking area. Just don’t forget your bear spray, especially when hiking around in the pre-dawn light.
Astoria Creek & Tonquin Valley
The easy hike to Cavell Lake is a part of the much longer Astoria Creek Trail. The Astoria Creek Trail is the starting point for those who wish to summit Mount Edith Cavell. This is the “easier route,” but it is still a very challenging two-day journey. The Astoria Trailhead is also and more commonly the starting point for the epic and amazing Tonquin Valley backpacking journey. This is one of our favorite backcountry adventures in the Canadian Rockies. Unless you plan to put on some major miles don’t bother going past Cavell Lake as the scenery is subpar until you’ve traveled many miles into the backcountry.
A Beautiful Tribute
Nurse Edith Cavell is a heroine and martyr of the first World War. She admittedly helped hundreds escape the German-occupied Nederlands and subsequently was executed on October 12, 1915. Her story captivated the world and in 1916 the mountain was renamed in her honor.
