Just one of the least difficult hikes to do in Kananaskis Nation is the hike to Elbow Lake. It is only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation attain. If you’re a eager hiker that will not be enough but there is the possibility to go on to Rae Glacier. Note that the hike to Elbow Lake is excellent for family members. And it makes a great initially tenting journey.

Getting to Elbow Lake from the trailhead

It is a popular hike to Elbow Lake – in portion since it’s shorter. Nevertheless it is a steep hike from the get-go, climbing 137 metres to the lake. The trail is on an outdated hearth road by way of the forest. It is pretty noticeable and not that attention-grabbing until you reach the lake.

Be certain to do a complete circuit of Elbow Lake on foot as it’s very quite from unique angles. If you hike it in a counter-clockwise route you’ll achieve the junction with the Rae Glacier path. Go on instead on a nicely-worn route to a river crossing of the Elbow on picket planks. Make your way together the western shore of the lake on a hearth street, stopping to admire the blues of the lake and the quite mountain backdrop.

Continue to keep an eye out for mountain bikers as the trail connects to a community of exceptional biking trails in japanese Kananaskis Place so it is a favorite. Horseback riding is also permitted.

Be guaranteed to do the total hike about Elbow Lake

Elbow Lake landscapes from the hearth street on the western shore

Camping at the lake

Elbow Lake is a incredibly common campground, specially for youthful households. As you can see in the photograph down below, most of the campsites are in the trees. But if your timing is correct you may be fortunate and score campsite 12 or 13 which will give you a look at of the lake from your sleeping bag.

There are bear-proof lockers and outhouses as nicely as quite a few picnic tables some distance from the tents for cooking. Firewood is supplied.

For information on scheduling campsites and significant dates pay a visit to the Alberta Parks web-site. Be geared up to ebook as shortly as the dates open up up primarily if you’re seeking to score a summertime weekend.

Great household tenting at Elbow Lake

Try and score this campsite shut to the lake

Bear packing containers at Elbow Lake Campground

The hike from Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier

Proceed anti-clockwise close to the east shore of Elbow Lake to arrive at the turnoff to Rae Glacier. There isn’t any signage but there is a piece of flagging tape. The intersection is about halfway alongside the duration of the lake.

Flip proper on to a rocky trail heading northeast. Abide by the route up a rib. At the leading there are some fairly sights of a few mountains – Rae, Tombstone and Alpaca. 

Carry on along the rib ultimately descending in direction of the creek. Remain to the proper aspect of it on the scree. In short purchase the creek heads left. The névé over the compact waterfall – five images down, is the resource of the Elbow River. Even though you can investigate the area about the waterfall the trails right here won’t get you to Rae Glacier.

As an alternative stay appropriate and climb on moraines to the Rae Glacier. Go as far as you experience comfortable. From Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier attain 229 metres around a distance of just 2.2 kilometres. 

Descend the way you came but think about continuing anticlockwise around Elbow Lake to get back again to the trail coming up from the parking good deal.

Seem for the flagging tape and change ideal

An apparent path by the rocks on the way to Rae Glacier

Climbing up the rib on the way to Rae Glacier

Great blast of yellow underfoot

This is NOT the way to the Rae Glacier but it is an area you could examine

Mountaineering as a result of the moraines on the way to Rae Glacier

Standing on chunks of what is still left of the Rae Glacier

It’s a very descent back again to Elbow Lake

Getting in the view on the hike back again to Elbow Lake

Acquiring the Elbow Lake trailhead

From Calgary take the Trans-Canada Highway west to the Highway 40 turnoff. Transform south on Highway 40 and adhere to it for about 62 kilometres. The perfectly-signed trailhead is on the east facet of the freeway. Note that Freeway 40 is shut from December 1 – June 15th every calendar year beginning just past the junction with the Smith-Dorrien Road. There is a winter season gate.

Map displaying Elbow Lake & Rae Glacier in Kananaskis Region

Even more looking through about close by hikes in Kananaskis State

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