Elbow Lake and the Rae Glacier
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. Elbow Lake is also the only trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park accessible to horseback riders, so please watch out for horses on the trail.
Hiking: The walk to the lake is 1.5 km. and approximately 150 m gain in altitude. The Lake itself is a worthy destination either for a picnic, taking pictures, or trying your luck with fishing. If you wish to continue on with the hike to the glacier, at the lake follow the path around either side to reach the creek descending from above (not the outlet creek from the lake, which is actually the tiny beginnings of the Elbow River..) From here it is still another 3 km. and about 400 m up to the Rae Glacier. Follow the rough trail to the right of the creek upstream past a small waterfall, and ascend up a small ridge to great views and a perfect spot to stop for lunch. The trail now descends back to creek where you stay on the right side. Once you resume your ascent, just keep right at the junction and scramble up the terminal moraine to view what remains of the Rae Glacier.
History: The Rae Glacier and Mount Rae are named after Doctor John Rae of the Hudson's Bay Company who is thought to be the first European to survive an Arctic Winter in Canada by living off the land. Doctor Rae's travels in the Canadian Arctic included adventures by canoe, small boat, dogsled, snowshoe and on foot. During the course of his Arctic expeditions, Rae traveled an incredible 10,500 km on foot an sailed and additional 10,700 km in small boats. His greatest accomplishment in the Arctic was establishing the final link (Rae Strait) in the long searched for Northwest Passage.
Other Hikes Nearby: Piper Pass, Tombstone Lakes, Pocaterra Ridge
Bike Trail Access to: Elbow Loop, Sheep River Trail
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. Elbow Lake is also the only trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park accessible to horseback riders, so please watch out for horses on the trail.
Hiking: The walk to the lake is 1.5 km. and approximately 150 m gain in altitude. The Lake itself is a worthy destination either for a picnic, taking pictures, or trying your luck with fishing. If you wish to continue on with the hike to the glacier, at the lake follow the path around either side to reach the creek descending from above (not the outlet creek from the lake, which is actually the tiny beginnings of the Elbow River..) From here it is still another 3 km. and about 400 m up to the Rae Glacier. Follow the rough trail to the right of the creek upstream past a small waterfall, and ascend up a small ridge to great views and a perfect spot to stop for lunch. The trail now descends back to creek where you stay on the right side. Once you resume your ascent, just keep right at the junction and scramble up the terminal moraine to view what remains of the Rae Glacier.
History: The Rae Glacier and Mount Rae are named after Doctor John Rae of the Hudson's Bay Company who is thought to be the first European to survive an Arctic Winter in Canada by living off the land. Doctor Rae's travels in the Canadian Arctic included adventures by canoe, small boat, dogsled, snowshoe and on foot. During the course of his Arctic expeditions, Rae traveled an incredible 10,500 km on foot an sailed and additional 10,700 km in small boats. His greatest accomplishment in the Arctic was establishing the final link (Rae Strait) in the long searched for Northwest Passage.
Other Hikes Nearby: Piper Pass, Tombstone Lakes, Pocaterra Ridge
Bike Trail Access to: Elbow Loop, Sheep River Trail