Crypt Lake Trail, Alpine hiking trail in Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada
Crypt Lake Trail is a mountain hiking route in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, ending at a remote lake tucked into a high rocky cirque. The path crosses forested sections, open cliff faces, and includes a short natural tunnel that hikers must crawl through on hands and knees.
Waterton Lakes National Park was established in 1895, making it one of the oldest protected areas in Canada, and the trail developed as the park attracted more visitors over the following decades. In 1932, the park joined with Montana's Glacier National Park to form the world's first international peace park.
The trail runs through Waterton Lakes National Park, which together with the neighboring Glacier National Park in the US forms an international peace park. This cross-border recognition, dating to 1932, is something hikers can feel when they reach the lakeshore near the US boundary.
The trail starts with a ferry crossing from Waterton Townsite, as there is no road access to the trailhead. The route involves steel ladders, a short cable-assisted cliff section, and a low tunnel, so it is best suited to people who are comfortable in exposed terrain.
The lake itself sits right on the border with Montana, and part of its shoreline technically falls within the United States. This means that hikers who walk around the lake can unknowingly cross an international border without any checkpoint or sign.
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