Kananaskis Lakes Things to Do

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There is a 16 km loop aound the upper Kananaskis Lake. We took the southern part of the loop to the falls. The temperature was only 4 degrees and looked like snow, but we wanted to get out.

When we got there, there was a strong wind and lots of clouds. The trail has a few small hills but overall no real elevation gain or loss. We went 9 km total just past the campsite. If you want you can canoe or hike to the first campsite. There are 20 sites, food hangers (for bears) and firewood. On the way to the campsite, you can take a branch off of this trail to other trails that allow back country camping.

The trail starts in the trees but soon enters an area where there was an avalanche many years before. You have to pick your way through the rocks and boulders. There are some trees trying to get a foothold here. It is a very neat sight. After a little while you come across the branch to the campsite. About .5 km later are the falls.

Next time we will try the complete loop. It was a nice hike for a cooler day.

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There is a short trail from the Nakiska Ski Hill area that takes you to the Falls. This is a nice short trip for the whole family. You can actually stand under the falls. During the summer, this becomes quite popular and crowded.

Use caution because the rocks are very slippery......

I really enjoyed by visits to the boundary ranch. On one occassion I went for a trail ride and enjoyed the mountain views.

Another time I went there for a winter party, tried to learn the two step and done a winter sleigh ride. You will have fun and enjoy the barbeques!!!

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'This 3.9km point-to-point trail follows a winding logging road and then a pleasant single track, bringing you to a tiny lake beneath an imposing rock face.

From the busy trailhead, follow the wide road, staying left at a junction at km 0.2. As the road climbs, the views to the south open up. You get good views of Mount Burstall and Commonwealth Peak, and even periodic views of the French Glacier. Finally, the trail leaves the wide road and heads left into the woods on a narrower trail. At 2.2km you get your first real views towards the unusual summit of Mount Chester. The towering peak has layers tilted almost straight up, making it somewhat resemble Mount Rundle in Banff National Park. After climbing past some wooden cribwork placed to help reduce erosion on the trail, you approach a wide meadow with more great views towards Mount Chester. The elevation is revealed by the presence of alpine larch as you pass a huge snag. Beyond this is a fabulous meadow that in spring explodes in wildflowers, and in fall is rimmed with the golden needles of alpine larches. Across the meadow, Chester Creek drains the meltwater from the lake. '

You reach the lake at km 3.7. Mount Chester towers directly overhead, making it hard to fit the entire scene into a camera frame. From the lake, there are numerous options for off-trail exploration.

**This was taken from the Calgary Outdoor Club Website**

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The Pickle Jar Lakes was named after the saying that "there are so many fish you could put a pickle jar in the lake and fill it with fish".

The trail (as far as we went) was 9.7 km return with an elevation gain of 650 meters.

The morning started off nice and sunny with about 1 - 2 inches of snow on the ground. The trail was a steady uphill jaunt through the trees. No grizzly bear on the trail this time (3 weeks earlier two women in our group came across a very large grizzly about 18 feet away from them).
Once out of the trees we walked along the hill to a steep incline that took us to a small ridge. We walked along the ridge which was in the shade so the snow was not melting much. This part was a little slippery and intimidating to some. From here we decended to the first lake. There are 4 lakes in total and we made it to the third lake. I stayed behind with Paul who was having problems while the rest continued on to the fourth lake.

On the way we past 3 fishermen. They caught about 25 trout in a couple hours. Might have to try it sometime.

Very nice hike.

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This is a short hike but is well worth the effort.

There are many trails within Kananaskis Country, but this one holds a special fascination with its combination of colour, water and history.
Canmore Pioneer Lawrence Grassi hiked this route in the 1920s. He, along with several other Canmore miners, built this trail to facilitate access to the “Twin Lakes”, as the lakes at the end of the trail were originally known. Grassi spent many hours carving steps out of the stone to allow easier access.

There are two trails to take. One is easy as it follows the TransAlta service road. The second trail follows the cliff/hillside and gives a great view of the waterfall. This is the path I suggest. Follow the easier trail back. The trail takes you to the first lake. Amazing clarity and blue color. The trail along the left takes you to the second lakes. Also very clear and blue. If you look closely you can see some trout swimming around. The cliffs on the west side are very popular for climbers.

The only downside would be the power dam and the transmission lines :-(

Length - 3.1 km
Elevation Gain - 300 meters

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This trail takes you along some cliffs over looking the Sheep River. The trail then crosses the highway and slowly ascends through a meadow. The trail will veer left to the top of a small plateau. There are some very nice sights from here.
The trail is about 7.4 km long with an elevation gain of 225 meters.

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Mount Kidd is a spectacular mountain sheltering the Kananaskis valley at this point from the west winds.

Below the mountain lies Kananaskis Village, a major 36 hole golf course, a recreation vehicle camp grund and an interesting 10 km hike from the Village to Galatea creek to the south. At the south end of the trail it is possible to see Mountain Sheep.