Notes: Also called Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain
Trip Report
Tunnel Mountain is the tiny mountain adjacent to the Banff townsite which resembles a sleeping bison (buffalo). It’s modern name is the result of Canadian Pacific Railway surveyors considering putting a tunnel through the mountain in the 1880s, but the tunnel was never built. In recent years First Nations have called for the mountain to be renamed back to Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain.
With a Special Public Avalanche Warning in effect for this weekend, we chose to play it safe and avoid avalanche terrain completely. Tunnel Mountain is a popular objective with a wide, well-maintained trail that can be done at any time of year. The upper trailhead, on Tunnel Mountain Dr, only has room for a handful of vehicles. So, most people park at the lower trailhead on St Julien Rd, which only adds 8 min to the hike, each way. If both of these are full, try the nearby parkade at the Banff Center for Arts and Creativity. We managed to find a parking spot at the lower tailhead and then set out on the hard-packed icy trail with our trail crampons. We passed a few groups hiking without traction aids, but they didn’t look to be having a great deal of fun.
The trail is very easy to follow and wide enough for two people to walk abreast. The crux of the day turned out to be finding passing opportunities on this very popular route. The trail quickly rises through the trees, offering views over the townsite and surrounding peaks.Approaching the corner of the last switch-back, Mount Rundle steals the views ahead, standing directly inline with Tunnel Mountain.Beyond the final switch-back, the trail flattens out and leads back along the top toward the peak. Several fenced-off look-outs like this one are passed along the way. In summer the south and east facing cliffs below the trail are popular with rock climbers, holding a variety of easy and moderate multi-pitch climbs.Dan gazes out at Mount Rundle, to the southeast.These classic Parks Canada red Adirondack chairs are just before the summit, facing west.We reached the summit of Tunnel Mountain in 40 min.Looking southwest from the peak toward Sulphur Mountain.We returned the way we came, making it back to the lower parking lot in 1 hr 15 min. We were a bit faster than expected, but luckily there is no shortage of things to do within the Banff townsite!What better way to avoid avalanche terrain on a high-hazard day than beer tasting at Three Bears Brewery in Banff? Dan and I agreed (a rare occurrence!) that everything we tried was excellent. All of the beer had just the right level of flavour with a crisp, clean finish; I especially enjoyed the Vienna Lager. We shared a delicious mushroom pizza before heading home.
Peak Bliss 