Buller Pass Trail

Posted September 22nd, 2007 by Chris

Distance:

14.9 km

Difficulty:

Moderate

Elev. gain:

660 meters

Time required:

3 - 5 hours

Bikes permitted:

Dogs permitted:

Yes

Download GPX | Download GPX

Directions to trail head

Parking for this hike is at the Buller Mountain day-use area which is located approximately 33 kilometers south of Canmore on highway #742, the Smith-Dorrien-Spray Trail.

Hazards on trail

I could see there being a risk of avalanches in the winter. If you plan to hike through to Ribbon Falls, be careful climbing down from the lake to the base of the falls.

Hike Description

The hike starts at the edge of the highway at the point where you turn into the parking lot. You will cross a bridge in the first few meters of the hike and then head into the forest. The trail crosses Buller Creek a couple of times and climbs towards the pass between Mount Engadine to the southeast (right) and Mount Buller to the northwest (left). Along the way if you keep a close watch on the creek approximately 3.5 kilometers in from the trail head you find a small waterfall.

From the waterfall you climb to the valley floor and then to the final push to the top of the pass. A short climb across the scree and you will see a fantastic view of the valley and Ribbon Lake on the other side.

This trail connects to the Ribbon Creek Trailhead and the hike to Ribbon Falls. This gives the option of dropping a car at the other end, hiking down Buller Pass, past Ribbon Lake and staying at the camping sites before heading home. See the post for the Ribbon Falls Hiking Trail. I have also attached a combined track for both trails. The section from the top of Buller Pass to the Ribbon Falls is missing but you can see the trail from the pass so I do not think it would be difficult to follow.