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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Elk Lake

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Panoramic view of Elk Lake from Talus slope on south side;  Sira 5 upper left

May 22, 2018,  August 12, 2021

Elk Lake is one of most beautiful back-country lakes in Front Ranges of Banff National Park I've ever seen.  Trail is mentioned in Patton/Robinson Canadian Rockies Trail Guide but it has largely stayed off radar, main reason being long and uninspiring approach that is bit too long as day hike for average person, but despite official Parks Canada Ek-13 campground at Elk Summit not quite appealing as overnight trip either.  However in second half of summer when snow has disappeared and meadows are lush green, scenery in alpine bowl beneath sheer cliffs of Sira massif is spectacular and well worth the effort.  Be ware that shady west side harbors snow well into June;  on my first trip in 2018 late May was still too early and I had to abandon after wallowing in deep snow above Elk Summit.  In dry conditions it is just a long but easy trail hike, as experienced on return in summer of '21.  From photography perspective note that bowl will fall into shade by mid-afternoon, so plan your timing accordingly.  Optimal light is mid-morning, but for that you likely have to backpack.   If you decide to do it as day-hike as I did, do note overall distance and more than expected cumulative elevation gain & make sure it is in according to your abilities.

Parking is at Mount Norquay ski lodge lot, same as for Snow Peak (formerly Stony Mountain).  Make your way past ski runs, warden avalanche control cabin to marked trailhead ~1km from the lodge.  40mile back-country trail to Mystic Lake and Flint's Park splits left, while Cascade /  Elk Summit trail descends to the right, losing over 100m elevation to crossing of 40-mile creek.  Reascending this part on return at end of long day will be a pain.  Trail then ascends for ~1.5km to marked junction - better defined right branch climbs up to Cascade Amphitheater, while Elk summit trail continues left.  Going is fairly monotonous for 1.5 hrs, forested trail with occasional glimpse to Mt. Brewster massif to the left.  At ~km 7 major drainage is bridged with solid 2-log bridge and this is reliable source of water even in late summer when other smaller gullies have already dried.  Scrambler route to Cascade North (not Kane scramble, stiff class 4 near the summit) branches right and up about there.  Elk trail continues and finally around km 10 exits to delightful subalpine meadows;  trip finally starts showing some merit.  Upon reaching Ek-13 campground you can go either through the campground, or better continue for another ~100m on main trail to marked junction, then turn left onto Elk Lake trail.  On my 2018 trip this part was under deep snow cover and not being able to find trail I trashed up helped with GPS to high ridge and was able to get a glimpse of the lake deep below (see gallery).  In contrast wide trail gently climbs ~150m vertical to the shoulder, then descends to the lake losing ~100m from the shoulder.  Trail ends in alpine meadow at east side of the lake by Parks Canada sign informing about camping/fishing/swimming rules. I recommed hiking around the lake clockwise to large talus slope above lake south side as this is the most photogenic part.

Continuing in other direction Elk Summit trail reaches Cascade Fire Road in about 9km.  From there hike out to Lake Minnewanka is possible, forming loop of a sort, but this can not be recommended;  besides transport logistics, Cascade FR is logical only as bike ride.  Return the same way.

Gallery