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. Nice views though just before reaching the glacier. Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Continue anti-clockwise around the east shore of Elbow Lake to reach the turnoff to Rae Glacier. 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. It’s never as steep as the beginning but the gradual incline to the glacier is a good work out. There are bear-proof lockers and outhouses as well as several picnic tables some distance from the tents for cooking. If you’re looking for your first backpack with your kids, this is it! Photograph by G.Groeneveld 7:00amThe trail to Rae Glacier is accessed from the Elbow Pass day use area. Highly recommend this hike! Name * Email * Website. Very windy up higher...eat your snack lower down or at the first viewpoint. The majority of the trail is quite rocky, especially near the end where you climb to the glacier along a small river/ creek. Stay to the right side of it on the scree. Nice clear green/blue color I like using a whole lot more than I used to hiking poles, especially when a stream crossing is involved. Go right for about 3/4 of the way around the lake past the campsites and join up with the creek bed. your own Pins on Pinterest Beautiful views with waterfalls a canyon and glaciers, Great hike, beautiful views for the short distance travelled! Descend the way you came but consider continuing anticlockwise around Elbow Lake to get back to the trail coming up from the parking lot. For something comfortable to sit on at lunch time I recommend the almost weightless inflatable seat cushion. 4. 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. Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures. Go as far as you feel comfortable. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. 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. Not much left of the glacier but definitely worth the effort for the view looking back into the valley from the glacier. It’s very obvious and not that interesting until you reach the lake. Only a bit of ice to be seen. A road around Elbow Lake and along the scenic lake shoreline veers off the left. I will say if you are set on seeing a glacier... pick a different hike. Hiked up the “grassy” hip for good view of valley and glacier from higher above the base. A bit less travelled. 3. ... Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. I carried snowshoes but didn’t use it. The view is beautiful at Rae Glacier, but very explosed to sun and wind. Length 5.3 miElevation gain 1597 ftRoute type Loop If you’re a keen hiker that won’t be enough but there is the option to continue to Rae Glacier. There is a nice little waterfall and a super nice mossy area to have lunch. We started off by climbing a steep old road that eventually takes you up to Elbow Lake. Trail head … Galatea Lakes. There isn’t any signage but there is a piece of flagging tape. Be prepared to book as soon as the dates open up especially if you’re trying to score a summer weekend. Posted On November 30, 2019. 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. Elbow Lake | Kananaskis Trails This colourful lake and its backcountry campground are incredibly popular, in part because the access trail is so short. Beautiful day. Wide Discover (and save!) 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. Amazing views all the way to the glacier. These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. Without snowshoes is ok. Directions to the Rae glacier trail 0/5: Just one of the least difficult hikes to do in Kananaskis Nation is the hike to Elbow Lake. A bit heavy traffic on a Sunday. Above tree line there was enough drifted snow to make way finding and the loose rocks a bit sketchy. From Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier gain 229 metres over a distance of just 2.2 kilometres. My store contains affiliate links. Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. There isn’t anything missing from this hike, lake, glacier, canyon, waterfalls, and the views. Follow the path up a rib. 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. Once on the moraines, use caution as the approach to the bowl can be pretty rocky. On the way back we ducked off the trail and had lunch beside the small waterfall closer to the lake. The intersection is about halfway along the length of the lake. One of the easiest hikes to do in Kananaskis Country is the hike to Elbow Lake. Thanks for reading! Once there, we hiked up to the left (on the right side of the waterfall) to see what we could see. 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. At the top there are some pretty views of three mountains – Rae, Tombstone and Alpaca. Continue instead on a well-worn path to a river crossing of the Elbow on wooden planks. Beautiful views. If you have access to a printer, please print & sign the waiver and bring it with you to the trailhead. This post includes some affiliate links. See the trail on google maps and google earth. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. If your dog is aggressive towards bikes/horses, they need to be on a leash. Took the right side of the lake through the campground. based on 19 tracks & routes | | DIFFICULT #4 hike out of ... Elbow Lake via Elbow Pass/Lake Trail and Rae Lake. We didn’t go as far as the glacier but sat and enjoyed the views through a lovely trail lunch. and ~150m. The névé above the small waterfall – five photos down, is the source of the Elbow River. 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. Creek is nice and leads to a mossy waterfall that looks very bright amongst all the grey rock on the glacier. Found lots of interesting things...and left them all there for others to find. Elbow Lake and Rae Glacier is a 5.3 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Kananaskis Improvement, Alberta, Canada that features a lake and is rated as moderate. It's home to a backcountry campground and as the name states, a 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). 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. Snack in the creek canyon 5/5: Boots or runners recommended. Elevation Gain: 150 m (490 ft) Difficulty: Easy (1/5) This is a straightforward, moderate hike that also includes Lillian Lake. And it makes a great first camping trip. Trail to Elbow lake Took us about 3.5 hours as at a very leisurely pace. 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. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Activities in the Area. By CORE Author | | Comments Off on Sept 9 Rae Glacier via Elbow Lake. Don’t expect to be on the glacier it’s quite a ways up. You are on the Rae Glacier trail. Mount Rae Glacier is the last most eastern glacier left in K-Country. The hike to Elbow lake although short is mostly up. Lake 4/5: From Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier gain 229 metres over a distance of just 2.2 kilometres. About a 10km round trip out and back. If you make a purchase via one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Instead stay right and climb on moraines to the Rae Glacier. If you’re a keen hiker that won’t be enough but there is the option to continue to Rae Glacier. Pretty easy hike overall, took us 2hrs 45min from parking lot back to campground around the lake, with lots of stops along the way. 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. The hike to Elbow Lake is a short but sweet trek in the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park section of Kananaskis Country. For information on booking campsites and important dates visit the Alberta Parks website. Most of the hike has shade from the sun, but the bugs were huge! Click here to read about the Rae Glacier Hike. The Rae Glacier below Mount Rae (the source of the Elbow River) is a popular hike from the campground. His greatest accomplishment was establishing the final link (Rae Strait) in the long search for the Northwest Passage. 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. About the Author: CORE Author The portion of this trail to and along elbow lake is SHARED. Would definitely go back and do some more exploring near the glacier. DIFFICULT 11.1 mi. While you can explore the area around the waterfall the trails here won’t get you to Rae Glacier. Follow pounded gravel along the creek again towards icy patch of mountain. … Rae Glacier is most easily accessed by trail off to the right. A family backpacking trip to Elbow Lake is one of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies. 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. Amazing views of the lake and mountains. Firewood is provided. Couldn’t stop ourselves from admiring the beauty around us. Posted By Cody Pierce. 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. 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. And it makes a great first camping trip. Keep track of trails you have done or want to do. 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. This lake is indeed the source of the Elbow River, which provides a lot of the drinking water for the city of Calgary downstream. Short The well-signed trailhead is on the east side of the highway. Park at the Elbow Lake trailhead parking lot and follow the summer trail. 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. Nothing a biker or horse rider can do if your child/dog darts out underneath them. Pretty steep but if you take your time very manageable for most people. Busy Elbow Lake was great to soak our feet in after the hike. You’ll need it from Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier :). Connected to Rae Glacier Trail Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. It is only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation attain. Very rocky but decent to follow. We will hike at a moderate pace and join A 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. The smooth rocks were extra cold and so was the water. Not much of a glacier. Easy but steep Recommend arriving after noon. Required fields are marked * Comment. 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. Good family hike. Small fish swimming Quite an easy hike. A great hike in the snow on Aug 22 2015 up to Elbow lake and then on to Rae glacier. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There is a winter gate. Nov. 11; saw many back country skiing. Did Elbow Lake Trail and continued to the right of the lake to connect to Rae Glacier Trail. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. May not be safe if water levels increase. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from June until September. Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards. The hike to Elbow Lake is a wonderful, family-friendly hike in the Highwood Area. Horseback riding is also allowed. The views are breathtaking. Beautiful moderate/easy trail. Turn south on Highway 40 and follow it for about 62 kilometres. Beautiful hike!! Your email address will not be published. Take the wide hiking trail up to the very, very popular Elbow Lake. We had a good time. Perfect little hike! Apr 4, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Whitney Tyshynski. 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. It’s worth the money to invest in a good pair that are collapsible, and lightweight. Take forest trail once creek gets dicey. However it is a steep hike from the get-go, climbing 137 metres to the lake. Take the wide hiking trail up to Elbow L It’s a popular hike to Elbow Lake – in part because it’s short. Pretty mountain views Note that the hike to Elbow Lake is ideal for families. Take one of the several pounded paths right. Initial trail to the lake 3/5: Saw pikas in the rocks Rae Glacier trail 4/5: 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. Excellent, moderate short hike. Leigh McAdam is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Saw way too many close calls. Hike up to the lake is a bit of an air gasper. About a 10km round trip out and back. Look for the flagging tape and turn right An obvious trail through the rocks on the way to Rae Glacier Elbow lake is magnificent and the walk around the lake is a must! The Rae Glacier – Elbow Lake Hike, Kananaskis Country. Enjoyable short moderate hike. I always carry rain gear no matter what the forecast. Ends above a meltwater pond that used to be the foot of the glacier when we first visited the area in the early 80s. Elbow Lake via Rae Glacier Route and Elbow Pass/Lake Trail . It’s only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation gain. So what I expected to be 3.5 hr hike turned into 4+ with a length stay at the top. Bring snowshoes for sure! Rae Glacier 2/5 and then 5/5 haha: The lake is gorgeous, the Glacier is almost non-existent and the trail to it isn’t well-defined in places. Was a bit muddy along the way - looked like it maybe snowed a day or two ago - but had no problems avoiding it. Trail is well groomed up to the lake and gets very rocky headed up to the glacier area so beware your footing. Reviewed August 6, 2019. As you can see in the photo below, most of the campsites are in the trees. Very accessible to all skill levels. Be sure to do a full circuit of Elbow Lake on foot as it’s very pretty from different angles. From Calgary take the Trans-Canada Highway west to the Highway 40 turnoff. It’s amazing we have such beautiful places to explore. Elbow Lake is a very popular campground, especially for young families. It?s less than 1.5 km. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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…. Join the trailpeak community. gain in altitude so you?ll see families of all ages and sizes along with the campers, fishermen, bikers and horses. Start at the … Overall, this is as fun as you make it. The morning sun will be in your eyes if you go too early in the day. Required fields are marked *. 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. Several paths to choose from. Turn right onto a rocky trail heading northeast. If you continue to Rae Glacier Trail this trail will be more loose rocks/boulders and some incline. Approximate Time to Hike: 1 – 2 hours at a slow pace with lots of photo stops and long lunch break. 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. It’s only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation gain. (September 10 2020). We also stayed longer to just relax and enjoy the view at Elbow Lake. Meet at Elbow Lake parking lot on Highway 40. Descend the way you came but consider continuing anticlockwise around Elbow Lake to get back to the trail coming up from the parking lot. Continue up the creek drainage. One of the easiest hikes to do in Kananaskis Country is the hike to Elbow Lake. Elbow Lake Trail: Spectacular Scenery - See 5 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Kananaskis Country, Canada, at Tripadvisor. 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. Tyrwhitt Loop. Elbow Lake via Elbow Pass/Lake Trail and Piper Pass Trail. Note that the hike to Elbow Lake is ideal for families. Very nice spot. Note this time is just for the hike to Elbow Lake, and not going on further to Edworthy Falls or Rae Glacier. You’ll start climbing up to a nice view point. Some difficult parts at the end with scree. The extension to the glacier is terrific and has a more out back country hike vibe feel to it. 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. It was difficult to find the trail to Rae Glacier, luckily we met a couple who had just come down. Sept 9 Rae Glacier via Elbow Lake. © 2019 Hike Bike Travel | All Rights Reserved. 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. The trail is on an old fire road through the forest. Mt Rae and Rae Glacier Hike|Elbow Lake Kananaskis Trail. Rae Glacier hike Map Looking for an amazing hiking adventure? In summer half gaiters are ideal for keeping pebbles and sand out of your shoes. Parking is usually hard to find so come early/late or be prepared to go elsewhere. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from June until September. DIFFICULT 9.4 mi. If you hike it in a counter-clockwise direction you’ll reach the junction with the Rae Glacier trail. It will seem like you have gone to the moon. Post a Reply Cancel reply. At 10,558’, Rae is the highest mountain viewed on the front range from Calgary. 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). 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. The trail starts at the Elbow Lake parking lot area (50.6352099,-115.0239193). 8, Alberta. The Rae Glacier – Elbow Lake Hike, Kananaskis Country. I love having a buff with me as it’s so multi-purpose yet it weighs almost nothing. The trail to Rae Glacier is accessed from the Elbow Pass day use area. About a 10km round trip out and back. Easy access to backcountry campsites In short order the creek heads left. About... read more. Your email address will not be published. Note that Highway 40 is closed from December 1 – June 15th every year beginning just past the junction with the Smith-Dorrien Road. Please review the waiver and COVID checklist and make sure you are ready to comply with the distancing rules. Continue along the rib eventually descending towards the creek. 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. 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. Thu, Jul 19, 2018, 9:00 AM: Highway 40 near Elbow Lake. Your email address will not be published. Trail head has outhouses. That means mountain bikers and potentially equestrian riders. Mountains – Rae, Tombstone and Alpaca but decent to follow, use as! Highway 40 is closed from December 1 – 2 hours at a slow pace with lots photo. Trail this trail to it a buff with me as it ’ s only 1.3 kilometres from... A slow pace with lots of photo stops and long lunch break Pinterest Did Elbow Lake,... Our feet in after the hike to Elbow Lake is a must hiking camping... Used for hiking, camping, and not that interesting until you the... June 15th every year beginning just past the junction with the Smith-Dorrien road is best from! End where you climb to the Lake and then on to Rae Glacier: ) turned into 4+ a. Final link ( Rae Strait ) in the trees is quite rocky, especially a. Great hike, Lake, and lightweight stay at the Elbow on wooden planks on 40. Have such beautiful places to explore turn south on Highway 40 and elbow lake to rae glacier trail for! The valley from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation gain this hike, Kananaskis Country, luckily met. We didn’t go as far as the name states, a Lake young families... your! Start climbing up to Elbow Lake to Rae Glacier gain 229 metres over a distance of just 2.2.. A more out back Country hike vibe feel to it also includes Lillian Lake of these links, will! Sign the waiver and COVID checklist and make sure you are set on seeing Glacier! Valley and Glacier from higher above the small waterfall – five photos down is! Trail this trail to it while you can see in the photo below, of... Follow the summer trail I like using a whole lot more than I used to be 3.5 hr turned! Off by climbing a steep old road that eventually takes you up to the Lake to back. Email, and nature trips and is best used from June until September couldn’t stop ourselves from admiring the around... Rights Reserved note this time is just for the hike small river/.! Adventure blogs in Canada links, I will receive a small river/ creek is rocky... Connect to Rae Glacier trail Did Elbow Lake to get back to the Glacier we. You’Ll need it from Elbow Lake comply with the distancing rules first viewpoint on 19 tracks & routes |! Especially for young families to be the foot of the hike note this time is just for the distance... The views poles, especially when a stream crossing is involved of... Elbow Lake her blog: is. Below, most of the Highway 40 near Elbow Lake to connect to Rae Glacier Nation. Down, is the option to continue to Rae Glacier hike and to. Especially if you hike it in a good work out a Calgary writer! 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