Sheol Valley

Trail Access: Park in the main Lake Louise parking lot, preferably the upper lot. Trails leaving from these lots draw the hiker to the right, to the lakeshore. Instead head left and uphill to find this trail. Do not take the turnoff for the Fairview Lookout.

Detailed Trail Information

Descending on the backside of Saddleback Pass takes the hiker into Sheol Valley. This small, secluded valley is beautiful. It includes forest, meadows, rocks, a waterfall and an intimate and interesting feel. Rare whitebark pines dot the avalanche slopes. Look for silver bark and five long needles in each bunch. Where there are whitebark pines, there are bound to be Clark's nutcrackers, a bird who dines almost entirely on the seeds of this tree. In the fall, the nutcrackers cache thousands of seeds to last them throughout the year. The Sheol Valley trail eventually intersects with the Paradise Valley trail. It can be made into a loop, but the final section back towards Lake Louise is difficult to find and follow. Instead, park a second vehicle at the Paradise Valley trailhead. This area is also great grizzly bear habitat and may have a warning posted or a trail restriction requiring hikers to hike in tight groups of six people or more. A warning means that a bear has been frequenting the area regularly. The trail restriction is there to protect both hikers and bears. Be sure to hike bear aware and take precautions to prevent encounters on the trail.

Trail Information Courtesy Of: Great Divide Nature Interpretation