On the way back we ducked off the trail and had lunch beside the small waterfall closer to the lake. Highly recommend this hike! The parking lot is very busy, got there at 10am on long weekend and go parking but when were done people were parked along the highway. Bring snowshoes for sure! Distance 8.4 km return, height gain 400 m, moderate A popular trail for hikers staying at the campground to the wild, rocky cirques below the remnant glacier below Mount Rae. The smooth rocks were extra cold and so was the water. However it is a steep hike from the get-go, climbing 137 metres to the lake. Good family hike. Please review the waiver and COVID checklist and make sure you are ready to comply with the distancing rules. Elbow Lake Trail: Spectacular Scenery - See 5 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Kananaskis Country, Canada, at Tripadvisor. The parking lot is very busy, got there at 10am on long weekend and go parking but when were done people were parked along the highway. There are bear-proof lockers and outhouses as well as several picnic tables some distance from the tents for cooking. The portion of this trail to and along elbow lake is SHARED. Snack in the creek canyon 5/5: If you continue to Rae Glacier Trail this trail will be more loose rocks/boulders and some incline. DIFFICULT 11.1 mi. Posted On November 30, 2019. Most of the hike has shade from the sun, but the bugs were huge! Take forest trail once creek gets dicey. ... Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. Elbow Lake | Kananaskis Trails This colourful lake and its backcountry campground are incredibly popular, in part because the access trail is so short. The intersection is about halfway along the length of the lake. © 2019 Hike Bike Travel | All Rights Reserved. Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures. Hike up to the lake is a bit of an air gasper. Trail head has outhouses. The hike to Elbow Lake is a wonderful, family-friendly hike in the Highwood Area. You are on the Rae Glacier trail. If you’re looking for your first backpack with your kids, this is it! Took us about 3.5 hours as at a very leisurely pace. based on 19 tracks & routes | | DIFFICULT #4 hike out of ... Elbow Lake via Elbow Pass/Lake Trail and Rae Lake. I love having a buff with me as it’s so multi-purpose yet it weighs almost nothing. Take the wide hiking trail up to the very, very popular Elbow Lake. The Rae Glacier below Mount Rae (the source of the Elbow River) is a popular hike from the campground. Tyrwhitt Loop. If you’re a keen hiker that won’t be enough but there is the option to continue to Rae Glacier. Nov. 11; saw many back country skiing. It’s worth the money to invest in a good pair that are collapsible, and lightweight. Thu, Jul 19, 2018, 9:00 AM: Highway 40 near Elbow Lake. There is a nice little waterfall and a super nice mossy area to have lunch. Adventurous types will want to continue and explore the area beyond Elbow Lake, and we love the hike to the Alpine that explores the Rae Glacier. Very windy up higher...eat your snack lower down or at the first viewpoint. In short order the creek heads left. Pretty steep but if you take your time very manageable for most people. Rae Glacier hike Map Looking for an amazing hiking adventure? For information on booking campsites and important dates visit the Alberta Parks website. At first we followed a double track for about 1.2km which turned into a single track as we worked our way on the right side (east shore) of Elbow Lake. Length 5.3 miElevation gain 1597 ftRoute type Loop The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from June until September. These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. As you can see in the photo below, most of the campsites are in the trees. Once there, we hiked up to the left (on the right side of the waterfall) to see what we could see. Keep track of trails you have done or want to do. I always carry rain gear no matter what the forecast. Be sure to do a full circuit of Elbow Lake on foot as it’s very pretty from different angles. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Take one of the several pounded paths right. It’s amazing we have such beautiful places to explore. Very accessible to all skill levels. Elevation Gain: 150 m (490 ft) Difficulty: Easy (1/5) If you make a purchase via one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Continue along the rib eventually descending towards the creek. Go as far as you feel comfortable. May not be safe if water levels increase. Required fields are marked *. Jul 20, 2016 - Canada's #1 trails guide for day hiking trails in AB, Canada and North America with GPS waypoint exchange, trail stats and descriptions, driving directions, photos, maps, and community posted trail reviews. Follow the path up a rib. Important: Access to Rae Glacier is via trail to the right which soon accesses trail past the bear bins and food storage tower for scenic trail along the lake shore south towards Rae Glacier. Trail to Elbow lake The Rae Glacier – Elbow Lake Hike, Kananaskis Country. His greatest accomplishment was establishing the final link (Rae Strait) in the long search for the Northwest Passage. Galatea Lakes. For something comfortable to sit on at lunch time I recommend the almost weightless inflatable seat cushion. One of the easiest hikes to do in Kananaskis Country is the hike to Elbow Lake. Some difficult parts at the end with scree. See the trail on google maps and google earth. 4. (September 10 2020). 8, Alberta. About two thirds of the way along the lake we followed a trail to the right which after a short while followed the right side of a creek (which flows from the glacier). Activities in the Area. Your email address will not be published. From Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier gain 229 metres over a distance of just 2.2 kilometres. Horseback riding is also allowed. The trail to Rae Glacier is accessed from the Elbow Pass day use area. About a 10km round trip out and back. We had a good time. Firewood is provided. We will hike at a moderate pace and join A While you can explore the area around the waterfall the trails here won’t get you to Rae Glacier. Saw way too many close calls. Wide gain in altitude so you?ll see families of all ages and sizes along with the campers, fishermen, bikers and horses. I used to hike to Rae Glacier (5 km return, 500 m elevation gain) and slide in the snow, but the glacier has retreated so far up the mountain, there isn’t really much to see/do there now. Descend the way you came but consider continuing anticlockwise around Elbow Lake to get back to the trail coming up from the parking lot. Elbow Lake - Rae Glacier Aug 26 | Trip Reports | Kananaskis Outdoors Forum This forum is for you to use as you wish for asking questions or generating discussion on non-motorized use of trails in Kananaskis Country or of issues relating to trail use. By CORE Author | | Comments Off on Sept 9 Rae Glacier via Elbow Lake. About a 10km round trip out and back. The lake is gorgeous, the Glacier is almost non-existent and the trail to it isn’t well-defined in places. About a 10km round trip out and back. It’s only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation gain. It’s only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation gain. Continue instead on a well-worn path to a river crossing of the Elbow on wooden planks. Hiked up the “grassy” hip for good view of valley and glacier from higher above the base. I like using a whole lot more than I used to hiking poles, especially when a stream crossing is involved. You can knock it off in under an hour if you’re fast (not so if you include Rae Glacier) so it would combine well with the Ptarmigan Cirque hike if you wanted more exercise. Connected to Rae Glacier Trail Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. It’s very obvious and not that interesting until you reach the lake. It’s a popular hike to Elbow Lake – in part because it’s short. Small fish swimming Short The hike to Elbow Lake is a short but sweet trek in the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park section of Kananaskis Country. Creek is nice and leads to a mossy waterfall that looks very bright amongst all the grey rock on the glacier. The névé above the small waterfall – five photos down, is the source of the Elbow River. One of the easiest hikes to do in Kananaskis Country is the hike to Elbow Lake. There is a winter gate. A bit heavy traffic on a Sunday. Having been on countless awesome hiking trails over the years, we were bored and unimpressed until we discovered possible ancient ocean remnants in the rocks...then it was a scavenger hunt for more. Nice clear green/blue color Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The parking lot is very busy, got there at 10am on long weekend and go parking but when were done people were parked along the highway. Name * Email * Website. Would definitely go back and do some more exploring near the glacier. Trail head … About... read more. In summer half gaiters are ideal for keeping pebbles and sand out of your shoes. If you have access to a printer, please print & sign the waiver and bring it with you to the trailhead. I will say if you are set on seeing a glacier... pick a different hike. … Overall, this is as fun as you make it. If you hike it in a counter-clockwise direction you’ll reach the junction with the Rae Glacier trail. Boots or runners recommended. You’ll need it from Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier :). Learn how your comment data is processed. Above tree line there was enough drifted snow to make way finding and the loose rocks a bit sketchy. 3. Go right for about 3/4 of the way around the lake past the campsites and join up with the creek bed. Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. The hike to Elbow lake although short is mostly up. Elbow Lake via Rae Glacier Route and Elbow Pass/Lake Trail . Click here to read about the Rae Glacier Hike. Rae Glacier 2/5 and then 5/5 haha: Photograph by G.Groeneveld 7:00amThe trail to Rae Glacier is accessed from the Elbow Pass day use area. There isn’t any signage but there is a piece of flagging tape. Found lots of interesting things...and left them all there for others to find. Elbow Lake and Rae Glacier is a 8.5 kilometer lightly trafficked loop trail located near Kananaskis Improvement, Alberta, Canada that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Park at the Elbow Lake trailhead parking lot and follow the summer trail. But if your timing is right you might be lucky and score campsite 12 or 13 which will give you a view of the lake from your sleeping bag. It will seem like you have gone to the moon. And it makes a great first camping trip. Perfect little hike! Beautiful views with waterfalls a canyon and glaciers, Great hike, beautiful views for the short distance travelled! Recommend arriving after noon. It is only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation attain. Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures Co-author of 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta, The Goat Lake hike in Waterton Lakes National Park reopened in the summer 2020. This post includes some affiliate links. Elbow Lake is a stunning lake, access is just over 2.0 km from the car and there is a nice easy walk along the Elbow River as a daytrip. Join the trailpeak community. Once on the moraines, use caution as the approach to the bowl can be pretty rocky. Pretty easy hike overall, took us 2hrs 45min from parking lot back to campground around the lake, with lots of stops along the way. Descend the way you came but consider continuing anticlockwise around Elbow Lake to get back to the trail coming up from the parking lot. A road around Elbow Lake and along the scenic lake shoreline veers off the left. Required fields are marked * Comment. The majority of the trail is quite rocky, especially near the end where you climb to the glacier along a small river/ creek. Make your way along the western shore of the lake on a fire road, stopping to admire the blues of the lake and the pretty mountain backdrop. Took the right side of the lake through the campground. Without snowshoes is ok. Was a bit muddy along the way - looked like it maybe snowed a day or two ago - but had no problems avoiding it. Quite an easy hike. Once at the campground, turn right and follow the trail along the south side of the lake until it joins the Rae Glacier trail at the NE corner of the lake. Elbow Lake was great to soak our feet in after the hike. Amazing views all the way to the glacier. Elbow Lake via Elbow Pass/Lake Trail and Piper Pass Trail. If your child does not listen if called or is at an age where they frequently dash off, they need to be leashed, carried, or not brought. Not much left of the glacier but definitely worth the effort for the view looking back into the valley from the glacier. Sept 9 Rae Glacier via Elbow Lake. The trail starts at the Elbow Lake parking lot area (50.6352099,-115.0239193). I find a ball cap or brim hat with a chin strap invaluable in the rain or on a hot, in your face sunny day. You can knock it off in under an hour if you’re fast (not so if you include Rae Glacier) so it would combine well with the, Further reading about nearby hikes in Kananaskis Country. My store contains affiliate links. That means mountain bikers and potentially equestrian riders. Mt Rae and Rae Glacier Hike|Elbow Lake Kananaskis Trail. Don’t expect to be on the glacier it’s quite a ways up. Mount Rae Glacier is the last most eastern glacier left in K-Country. From Calgary take the Trans-Canada Highway west to the Highway 40 turnoff. Mount Rae serves as the head of the main watershed to Calgary, Alberta by way of the Rae Glacier flowing into Elbow Lake, source of the Elbow River. I carried snowshoes but didn’t use it. Directions to the Rae glacier trail 0/5: Initial trail to the lake 3/5: Continue anti-clockwise around the east shore of Elbow Lake to reach the turnoff to Rae Glacier. You’ll start climbing up to a nice view point. If your dog is aggressive towards bikes/horses, they need to be on a leash. Meet at Elbow Lake parking lot on Highway 40. Your email address will not be published. Note that the hike to Elbow Lake is ideal for families. Several paths to choose from. Nice views though just before reaching the glacier. This lake is indeed the source of the Elbow River, which provides a lot of the drinking water for the city of Calgary downstream. Beautiful moderate/easy trail. Easy access to backcountry campsites Reviewed August 6, 2019. Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. To go to the glacier go to the end of the lake on the right side and take a well worn trail to the right. Note that Highway 40 is closed from December 1 – June 15th every year beginning just past the junction with the Smith-Dorrien Road. Pretty mountain views Enjoyable short moderate hike. Take the wide hiking trail up to Elbow L We started off by climbing a steep old road that eventually takes you up to Elbow Lake. HIKING The best family-friendly hikes from Elbow Lake are Elbow Lake lakeshore (less than 2 km round trip, flat) and the picturesque Edworthy Falls (6.4 km return, 50 m elevation gain). Beautiful hike!! and ~150m. Elbow lake is magnificent and the walk around the lake is a must! The views are breathtaking. Busy Excellent, moderate short hike. If you’re a keen hiker that won’t be enough but there is the option to continue to Rae Glacier. The Rae Glacier – Elbow Lake Hike, Kananaskis Country. Start at the … Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 9:00 AM: Last minute Rae Glacier Trail is a 8.0 k. from the Elbow Lake Parking LotWe will leave at 9:00pm from the Elbow Lake Parking Lot. Very nice spot. We also stayed longer to just relax and enjoy the view at Elbow Lake. Turn south on Highway 40 and follow it for about 62 kilometres. The well-signed trailhead is on the east side of the highway. Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Amazing views of the lake and mountains. Thanks for reading! Continue up the creek drainage. Post a Reply Cancel reply. Couldn’t stop ourselves from admiring the beauty around us. Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. About the Author: CORE Author Elbow Pass Trail to Tombstone Campground and Lake, Kananaskis Fire Lookout via Tyrwhitt Trail, Pocaterra Ridge Trail to Little Highwood Pass Route, Tombstone Lakes and Rae Lake Loop via Elbow Pass Trail, Municipal District of Bighorn No. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Just one of the least difficult hikes to do in Kananaskis Nation is the hike to Elbow Lake. The view is beautiful at Rae Glacier, but very explosed to sun and wind. It's home to a backcountry campground and as the name states, a lake. At 10,558’, Rae is the highest mountain viewed on the front range from Calgary. We didn’t go as far as the glacier but sat and enjoyed the views through a lovely trail lunch. Rae Glacier trail 4/5: Be prepared to book as soon as the dates open up especially if you’re trying to score a summer weekend. There isn’t anything missing from this hike, lake, glacier, canyon, waterfalls, and the views. Beautiful day. Stay to the right side of it on the scree. This is a straightforward, moderate hike that also includes Lillian Lake. And it makes a great first camping trip. Easy but steep If like us you go on the left side of the lake turn right across the wooden plank bridge and then right back towards the lake then turn left up the well worn trail. Nothing a biker or horse rider can do if your child/dog darts out underneath them. It…, Snowshoeing in Banff National Park is a fun, invigorating way to spend time outdoors in…, For a take-your-breath-away beautiful multi-day hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies, you must put the…. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers as the trail connects to a network of excellent biking trails in eastern Kananaskis Country so it’s a favourite. Turn right onto a rocky trail heading northeast. Ends above a meltwater pond that used to be the foot of the glacier when we first visited the area in the early 80s. your own Pins on Pinterest First off, the lake is gorgeous and it's worth going on this trail just for this part, which is only a 1km - 1.5km hike in from the parking lot. Note that the hike to Elbow Lake is ideal for families. Leigh McAdam is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Only a bit of ice to be seen. Very rocky but decent to follow. Thank you for the detailed explanations of the route, I’ve been meaning to visit it for some time, but couldn’t find the time. Elbow Lake is a very popular campground, especially for young families. Posted By Cody Pierce. Instead stay right and climb on moraines to the Rae Glacier. Your email address will not be published. Lake 4/5: So what I expected to be 3.5 hr hike turned into 4+ with a length stay at the top. The Goat Lake Hike in Waterton Lakes National Park, Where to Go Snowshoeing in Banff National Park, Tonquin Valley Hiking Guide – What You Need to Know. Follow pounded gravel along the creek again towards icy patch of mountain. A family backpacking trip to Elbow Lake is one of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies. At the top there are some pretty views of three mountains – Rae, Tombstone and Alpaca. Elbow Lake and Rae Glacier Distance: 1.4 km to Lake, add 3 km from Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier Elevation: 150 m to Lake, add 400 m to Glacier Directions: Starting form the Little Highwood Pass Parking area, this trail starts as a very steep old road to Elbow Lake.The trail also provides alternate access to the amazing "Elbow Loop" bike trail in eastern Kananaskis Country. The extension to the glacier is terrific and has a more out back country hike vibe feel to it. Not much of a glacier. The morning sun will be in your eyes if you go too early in the day. Look for the flagging tape and turn right An obvious trail through the rocks on the way to Rae Glacier A great hike in the snow on Aug 22 2015 up to Elbow lake and then on to Rae glacier. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from June until September. DIFFICULT 9.4 mi. Note this time is just for the hike to Elbow Lake, and not going on further to Edworthy Falls or Rae Glacier. Beautiful views. Apr 4, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Whitney Tyshynski. From Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier gain 229 metres over a distance of just 2.2 kilometres. It?s less than 1.5 km. A bit less travelled. Discover (and save!) It’s never as steep as the beginning but the gradual incline to the glacier is a good work out. Saw pikas in the rocks It was difficult to find the trail to Rae Glacier, luckily we met a couple who had just come down. 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