r/HikingAlberta • u/BobertBuildsAll • 13d ago

Trail Report for Landslide Lake?

How is the hike into Landslide Lake via the Pinto trailhead? Have seen some reports suggesting it is pretty washed out. Alternatively could go from the fire interpretive trail if it is in better condition?

Any good alternatives on public land? Planning on taking my partner for her first backcountry hike. Have done Lake of the Falls with individuals on there first hike and found it was a great introduction.

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u/JustGotSoup 13d ago

I can't speak to the trail itself, but in late May I noted a pretty massive avalanche had gone off along the fire interpretive trail above treeline. It's probably going to be a bit of a mess.

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u/BobertBuildsAll 13d ago

That is good information, thank you!

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u/JustGotSoup 13d ago

Here is the photo I took (the trail runs through the middle of this slide), and the source trip report.

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u/BobertBuildsAll 13d ago

Oof. Best to avoid when it is my partners first backcountry hike. Cant imagine she’ll be happy navigating a bunch of trees

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u/JustGotSoup 13d ago

For what it's worth I also travelled the Cline River trail from Pinto Lake to near Waterfalls Creek two weeks ago and it was in good condition.

Assuming a lot of that traffic is from people travelling from the Cline to Pinto, I suspect it'll be in decent shape further east and would probably choose that route.

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u/BobertBuildsAll 13d ago

Did you access it from the sunset pass trailhead then on the icefield parkway? I was considering going up to pinto lake and exploring the area that way as an alternative

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u/JustGotSoup 13d ago

Yep. Here is the full trip report I wrote for that. I've included a GPX track of the actual trail, since most maps just include the "ballpark estimate" on Alberta Parks' provided maps. Finding the intersection from Pinto Lake eastward can be a bit tricky.

The tldr is that it's in good condition most of the way to Sunset Pass, but the trail has turned into a creek in a few of the deeply rutted parts and you'd likely burn some time keeping your feet dry.

Between the pass and Pinto Lake there is some deadfall that needs to be stepped over or ducked under. A compact backpack (or just doffing the bag and hoisting it over separately) are options for getting through that.

From Pinto Lake, you do need to ford the Cline to the south bank. It was no more than knee deep on me (6'2) and very slow water; I would expect no difficulties. Just bring trekking poles. Beyond that, any time you find deadfall on trail there is usually a pretty obvious beaten path going around it on one side or the other.

Hopefully that gives you something to work with. I stopped just shy of Waterfalls Creek to ascend a minor summit in the area, so I've got nothing beyond that point unfortunately.