Degree of Difficulty:
Moderate
Time to Complete Round Trip:6-8 hours
Where to Park:
Eiffel Peak is accessed from the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake in Lake Louise. The Ten Peak Valley was featured on the back of the old twenty dollar Canadian bill.
Moraine Lake is about 15 km from the Lake Louise townsite. Park at the Moraine Lake parking lot.
The Route (see photo below):
Follow the righthand shore of Moraine Lake past a Lodge to the Larch Valley Trail. This is the same approach to Mount Temple. When I reached the Larch Valley trailhead, a park warden was allowing only groups of six to continue on, because a young grizzly was living in the Larch Valley. Parks Canada normally closes a trail under these circumstances, but they were trying a new approach in allowing groups to continue. Since I was alone, I had to find a group to proceed, which was easy because a group of five asked me to be their sixth member. Don't take Parks Canada lightly, because they have the authority to fine the pants off you for ignoring their rules. Also, they really DO have the best interests of the bears in mind, so I respect their demands. I never did see the grizzly bear in question on that day.
Make your way up the long switchback trail, and eventually the route will flatten into the wide Larch Valley mountain meadows. The Sound of Music comes to mind. If you follow the trail straight ahead, it will lead you to the beginning of the ascent to Mount Temple. Mount Temple is the highest Peak in view. Eiffel peak, however, is to your left. Head left off the trail and make your way down and across a pretty mountain stream. Ascend the opposite bank, and soon enough you will be standing near the spot where I took the photo in the route map below.
Follow the shoulder toward the top. Near the top, a few options exist. I chose one steep gully on the way up, which was slightly exposed, but found an easier gully on my way down, although this easier gully was filled with snow. On my descent, I faced the mountain and cautiously kicked my footholds into the snow. It was slightly nerve-racking, until I found a miniature snowman someone had built on this steep downslope, complete with smiling face. I had to laugh, and I felt more at ease.
At the summit you will find a large cairn. The views at the top are beautiful, and you can check out the route to the top of Mount Temple. At Eiffel's summit you will find an incredible view of the large pillar, Eiffel Tower, from which the mountain gets its name. Apparently not many groups have ascended this technical challenge since the early 1950's.
