Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Elbow Lake |
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Elbow Lake Panorama from west end. Backcountry campground is on the right side
Elbow Lake is beautiful body of water in Elbow / Sheep wildland. Proximity to Hwy 40 makes it popular destination, while back-country campground is well known family backpack. Fish stocked waters are equally popular with anglers. Cycling is allowed and used by back-country cyclists as one Terminus of popular Elbow Trail.
Signed Trailhead parking, widened in 2022 using Kananaskis Conservation Fee funds, is few kilometers south of Highwood Pass. Hike is short - only 1.3km and ~120m of elevation gain, and can be done in less than 30 minutes. Wide trail initially climbs steeply for 10 minutes or so, then moderates crossing couple of avalanche slides. Final part gradually descends for couple of minutes to Lake west end - photo above. Back-country campground managed and significantly upgraded by Alberta Parks in 2022 is on the right side, while Elbow Trail circling the lake continues to the left.
Other hikes in the area that can be done either by using campground as overnight base, or as day-trips from Hwy 40 include:
Note that Hwy 40 is seasonally closed beyond Kananaskis Lakes junction Dec 1 - June 15. Visit to this exceptional area is still feasible; after snow has melted in spring it takes just over an hour of road cycling to the trailhead. I tend to regularly do this in May / first half of June every year, enjoying back-country solitude that is hard to find in full season. |