While the majority of the Elbow Pass is situated in the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park, most people access the trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park at the Elbow Pass Day Use Area … The trail eventually levels off before you arrive at the lake. In the morning, after cowboy coffee and hot porridge, I muscled my massive pack to my back and followed the frozen trail back to Elbow Lake. Place your hand behind the ball … While viewing Edworthy Falls – a “secret” waterfall that’s located just seconds from the main trail – is certainly a highlight, the wind-scoured rock and stunted trees in this section are a testament to the potent winds that regularly rifle through here. Check conditions. Turn left into the Elbow Pass Day Use Area. The other, much longer approach is by way of the Big Elbow Trail from Forget-me-not Pond off Highway 66 near Bragg Creek. 40. When we continued on, the trail went up and down a few hills and the path began to widen. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The parking lot was already quite full and it didn't take us long to realize this was a very popular hike. There are around 15 tenting pads in the forest along the emerald green lake. And I passed the evening watching golden light glaze the gorgeous mountain meadow and wash over the ice-crusted sentinels that surrounded me. (People living in the northern sections of the city predominately use water from the Bow River watershed.). Elbow Lake is a very popular place for backcountry camping, hiking, and even mountain biking but very few people visit this magical place in winter. Romulus or Big Elbow Campground, Kananaskis (These campgrounds are on the 43km Elbow Loop that starts from the Little Elbow day use area. and ~150m. Trail Experience. The weather held up the whole time and we only had to deal with a cloudy sky. Distance: 18 km (return from Tombstone Campground) Elevation Gain: 200 m How To Get There: From Hwy 1, turn off the Hwy 40 exit and head south for 61.8 km. It was a bit of a rainy, cloudy day so we decided to go for a hike in the area. It?s less than 1.5 km. There was something very tranquil and peaceful about the area as we walked alongside the Elbow River, enjoying the quiet along the way. This is where we chose to stop and eat our lunch. The ridgecrest trail is a rewarding hike in summer. After crossing the bridge at Sarrail falls take the Rawson Lake path to the left. Our starting point was the Elbow Pass day-use area, located about 62 km S on Hwy 40. From bears to blizzards, there are many potential dangers. Heading southwest now, the highway climbs between Mt. We passed a few horseback riders and then reached a fork in the road. Once again, the Chinook winds were severe and, at times, the 70-km gusts nearly swiped me off the trail. We ventured off to the left for a little bit, which took us down a hill and then looped back across the creek. When I finally reached Tombstone – a quaint, creekside hideout with a dozen tent pads, or so – late in the afternoon, civilization seemed distant. 40 (Kananaskis Trail) at Elbow Pass day-use area. 40. We didn't know what trail we were on but upon looking it up later, we realized it was Elbow Pass Trail. Time: 4 hours. Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, 75 km south of Hwy. I’ve done this many times when friends or family come from out of town to visit. It did not start off well, considering it was one of the hottest weekends I've ever experienced while in … Elbow Lake Backcountry Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. 1.5 hrs drive): From Calgary, take TransCanada/Alberta Highway 1 West; Take exit 118 towards Kananaskis Country; Turn left onto Kananaskis Trail/Alberta Highway 40 South; Continue on Highway 40 South for approximately 62 km; Turn left into the Elbow Pass Day Use Area The pass, which sits at an elevation of 2,120 metres, splits the Opal and Misty ranges, sub-ranges in the Canadian Rockies. Courtesy, Andrew Penner, The author sitting by the fire at Tombstone backcountry campground Courtesy, Andrew Penner, tap here to see other videos from our team. Elbow Lake, Kananaskis (1.3 km from Elbow Pass day use area) Mt. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. And I won’t soon forget the adventure. Read more about cookies here. It is $12 per night/person.). It is 1.3 km from the trailhead via Elbow Lake Trail. The Rae Glacierbelow Mount Rae (the source of the Elbow River) is a popular hike from the campground. 1 on Hwy. From the day use area at the Upper Kananaskis Lake take the well worn path, clockwise around the lake. It is 1.3 km from the trailhead via Elbow Lake Trail. This colourful lake and its backcountry campground are incredibly popular, in part because the access trail is so short. Elbow Lake/ Elbow Pass. 40 … The official trail is a wide road that climbs quickly into the bowl holding shallow Elbow Lake. Wed, Sep 26, 2018, 10:00 AM: Pace - VERY SLOW. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. The trail map nearby was a bit worn out! Exhausted, I set my pack down by a firepit and looked back down the valley where an army of crazy-cool clouds careened through the pass; yet another impressive sight. BB: Mt. This terms and conditions is subject to change at anytime with or without notice. If you camp at the lake, you can save 125 m of height gain and 2.8 km. Related Websites. (To camp at Elbow Lake, Tombstone, or any other campground in Kananaskis, reservations and permits must be purchased in advance. The small shrubbery and the rocky sided mountains on either side for some reason made Kim and I feel like we were hiking in Alaska. Highwood Pass is located in Kananaskis Country near Calgary, Alberta. Most of the hikers had stopped at the lake, so aside from a few hikers; it was just the two of us. The closest access is at Elbow Pass Day Use Area. Read our COVID-19 guidelines by clicking this banner before visiting one of our parks. The next issue of Calgary Herald Headline News will soon be in your inbox. Approximately 40 per cent of Calgary’s drinking water comes from this lake and the Elbow River watershed. Many families will remember their first backcountry camping trip to Elbow Lake with fond memories. The closest access is at Elbow Pass Day Use Area. I slept there. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. Rae (left) and Pocaterra Ridge (right). Hang a left (east) into the Elbow Pass Day Use Area. Details; Availability; Photos; Pit/Vault Toilet 0; Communal Cooking Area 0; Water Source 0; Secure Food Storage 0; PRIMARY ROUTE: 1.3km via Elbow Lake Trail from Elbow Pass Day Use (125m elevation) Campground Info. Retrace your steps back to the Elbow Pass Day Use Area. I had shelter. It is the highest paved pass in Canada and you’ll definitely find snow here until June. If you start at the Elbow Pass Day Use Area it's only 8 km return. We stopped for a couple of nice shots along the river before running into a few hikers who told us about a small side trail that leads to a waterfall. Bus Coordinator: Greg McKenzie, ggmckenzie@shaw.ca, 403-286-3547 Bus Fare $20 Bus departing from Rosemont at 8AM, and Montgomery at 8:15. But I had plenty of dry, splintered wood (thank you, park staff). Take the wide hiking trail up to the very, very popular Elbow Lake. From Elbow Pass, you can snowshoe up to Elbow Lake free of avalanche danger. While the trail climbs a steady 450 feet uphill to the lake, it is wide enough to pull young children in sleds, and most novice snowshoers will find the trip gentle enough for a pleasant outing. Follow the Kananaskis Trail Highway AB-40 S for 62 km. About a kilometre long and perhaps one hundred metres across, it is, in terms of the visuals, tough to top. It's a fairly easy hike. Regardless of why you might be drawn to explore this pristine pass, it is, in terms of access, about as easy as it gets. Highway 40 closes annually on Dec. 1 so your window for this particular trip is closing quickly Edworthy. On our articles how steep the trail would be begins climbing up a large, wide service.. Point is this: I got there or family come from out of town to visit and linger in. 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