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Steepleview Lookout
Cranbrook, B.C.
October 15, 2026
Distance: 3.1 km (1.9 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 85 m (285 ft)
Steepleview Lookout reaches a hilltop with a sight across the valley of a jagged ridge known as The Steeples, part of The Rockies. Despite being the shortest hike Dinah and I have done around Cranbrook, it wasn’t short on views. Only a couple of trees interrupted the summit views.
From a parking lot off Highway 3, we ignored the roads at either end and started up a trail in the middle. After briefly going through trees, we reached a meadow where the trail disappeared. We crossed the meadow and found a wood post where the path resumes in the forest.
We followed the trail up gently rolling terrain through thin trees with a few brief steep sections. There are some intersections, so we paid close attention to the map to stay on track. Eventually the trail turns and starts up a ridge going to the open summit. From the top, we saw The Steeples of course, but other mountains appeared, such as Fisher Peak and Mount Baker. Surprisingly, there’s a bench and a summit register. We lingered for a time before returning to the parking lot. It was a nice way to start the morning before we continued driving back to Calgary.
Dinah starts up a trail in the grass
We soon crossed a cattle gate
The trail disappears in a meadow
A wood post marks the trail on the other side of the meadow
Much of the trail is a gentle climb
There are a few brief, steep sections
A cairn marks an important intersection
Starting up the ridge to the summit
The trail goes up a minor cliff band on the ridge
Rampart East Bump is directly behind with Mount Baker in the background
Going up a break in the cliffs
Looking back
On the summit
The Steeples
