Giant Steps via Paradise Valley

Start at the Lake Annette / Paradise Valley trailhead on Moraine Lake Road and follow Paradise Creek through spruce-fir forest, bridges, and small meadows. Lake Annette is a scenic halfway landmark beneath Mount Temple and a sensible turnaround for a shorter outing. Beyond the lake, the trail crosses rougher rock and scree along Mount Temple's slopes before reaching a junction in the upper valley. Take the westbound branch toward the Paradise Valley campground and Giant Steps; the straight-ahead branch continues toward Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley and is not part of this hike.

This is an out-and-back to the base of the Giant Steps waterfall: about 12.6 miles (20.3 km) total, with roughly 595 m (1,950 ft) of cumulative ascent and 255 m (835 ft) of descent in Parks Canada's trail figures. The mapped one-way corridor is about 10.0 km. Plan 7–8 hours including photo stops and time at the falls.

Paradise Valley is a glacial mountain landscape with Mount Temple, Sheol Mountain, Mount Aberdeen, and the peaks around the upper valley. Expect prime grizzly habitat, with possible marmot, mountain goat, and porcupine sightings.

• Footing becomes rockier and slower after Lake Annette; carry navigation, sturdy footwear, water, and a treatment method.
• The final branch descends toward the Giant Steps and campground, with boardwalks, wet rock, and bouldery sections near the falls.
• Retrace the same route from the Giant Steps; do not continue straight toward Sentinel Pass unless you have planned that separate route.

Parks Canada may require groups of four on this trail because of bear activity; check current advisories and carry bear spray. The small unpaved trailhead lot has no toilets and can fill early. The backcountry campground beyond the falls may have seasonal bear-related restrictions; verify current information before relying on it.