Peyto Lake and Payto Glacier Viewpoint

The hike starts from the Payto Lake parking lot (busy but large and has toilets) on a paved trail going to the official Peyto Lake overlook. This portion of the trail contains 300 feet of vertical gain so is a bit strenuous. After snapping some pics on the platform viewpoint of the stunning glacial lake (perhaps after waiting in line behind the many other attendees of this viewpoint) the trail continues further on the paved trail for a while longer before there is an offshoot onto a singletrack dirt trail after a blue sign depicting a marmot and a pika imparting wildlife information. The sign also states there is a viewpoint for the Peyto Glacier along this trail. This viewpoint will be less crowded than the platform earlier on the paved trail and allows for clearer views of both Peyto Glacier and Peyto lake.

Peyto lake was named for the famous hunter and trapper mountain man Bill Peyto. He also has a mountain and restaurant that carry his name. The lake's color is due to glacial rock flour flowing from the glacier into the lake. The Peyto Glacier has lost 70% of its mass since 2006.