A high pass at 2,330 m between Mount Fairview and Saddle Peak, south of Lake Louise. The trail rises 3.7 km one-way with 600 m gain from the boathouse; steep switchbacks through subalpine larch forest. Premier larch-viewing destination in late September when alpine larches (Larix lyallii) turn gold.

Views. The pass offers views into secluded Paradise Valley and the massive north face of Mount Temple. Also visible: Mount Lefroy, Sheol Mountain, and Mount Victoria. Swiss guides once paused at a “hidden guide’s viewpoint” here to survey Paradise Valley.

Gateway. Saddleback Pass is the starting point for Mount Fairview (2,744 m, approx. 414 m gain from pass; the most popular hikable summit in the area) and Saddle Mountain (approx. 100 m gain from pass; quartzite boulders; family-friendly “miniature mountaineering”). The pass sits between Mount Fairview and Saddle Mountain.

No tea house. Saddleback Pass has no commercial tea house; unlike Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers. Not to be confused with the ski run Saddleback in the resort’s Back Bowls. Avalanche hazard moderate/high in winter (Fairview slide path). See Saddleback Pass Trail for a full hiking guide and Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Trail Systems for the full network.