The Rae Lake trek in Kananaskis Country, specifically in Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park, flies under the radar. A cairn at the side of the trail can be seen when youre heading to the Tombstone Backcountry Campground, but you d have to be looking for it and know that it takes to Rae Lake.
We did the Rae Lake Kananaskis hike as part of a 3-day backpacking trip to the Tombstone Backcountry Campground. We also consisted of walkings to Piper Pass and the Tombstone Lakes. Rae Lake can also be done as a 17.2 kilometre out and back trek from the Elbow Pass Day-use area.
If only to get updates on the trails in the immediate location, inspect the Kananaskis Trail report prior to you go–. Make certain to acquire a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
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Its hard to get near Rae Lake without getting your feet damp
Finding the trailhead
The trailhead is the very same one that is used for Elbow Lake. It is situated on Highway 40, 62 km south of the Trans-Canada Highway and just 5.1 km north of Highwood Pass. This stretch of highway is only open from June 15 up until December 1 every year.
The parking lot can get very hectic, particularly on weekends. We ended up parking on the highway– and were able to safely leave our automobile there for two nights
. Rae Lake details.
Time required as a day hike: 5– 7 hours. Season: By late June the snow was long gone; walking up until the snow flies at some point in late October.
Random camping allowed: Yes however leave no trace. You might wish to read How to Shit in the Woods by Bill McKibben. Map: Gem Trek Kananaskis Lakes (The path makes ideal sense when you see it set out on the map. ). The Rae Lake hike to the cairns. Trek up to Elbow Lake from the Elbow Pass Day-use location. Follow the trail along the west shore of the lake to reach a creeklet with a log over it. Stay left and continue up a road( watch out for mountain cyclists) into a gorgeous meadow with gorgeous views. At the 4.3 km mark, youll have the ability to see into Piper Creek Canyon.
On path youll pass some stones that mark a short spur path to Edworthy Falls. The falls deserve a brief side journey. In another kilometre try to find cairns on the left-hand side of the roadway marking the path to Piper Pass. Fifty speeds later search for cairns on the right-hand side of the road– as youre heading northeast. It marks among the routes into Rae Lake. From there the path to the lake is apparent though never ever anticipate to see an indication. The images in this blog site illustrate a clockwise loop to Rae Lake that begins at the cairns, turns right at the Sheep River Valley Trail, increases to Rae Lake and then descends through a narrow path to come out on the road coming up from Elbow Lake. However you dont need to do a loop. You could turn right at the first cairns and merely do and out and back trek to Rae Lake. Crossing the outlet to Elbow Lake on route to the Tombstone Lakes. Extremely beautiful walking in the instructions of the Tombstone Lakes. Its worth making a short detour to Edworthy Falls. Directions from the top of
the Elbow River Road Trail to Rae Lake. We did the Rae Lake trek from the Tombstone Backcountry Campground.
We had to backtrack our steps from the camping site to reach the sign seen in the photo below. That intersection is at completion of the roadway showing up from Elbow Lake. As you deal with the indication you can see that you go left to the camping site and right to continue the Sheep River Valley Road-Trail that will lead you towards Rae Lake. We raised the Sheep River Valley Road-Trail for 0.8 km. At that point there is a barrette turn and if you look carefully on the
right you would see a cairn.( If you were attempting to do a loop from the other direction, you would turn left here and follow the trail for 0.5 km to fulfill up with the trail you originally used up to Rae Lake. ). At the hairpin turn we remained left on the road and followed it for a more 1.1 km. Keep your eyes open for a cairn
on the right prior to a culvert. At the cairn head right into the trees on an apparent trail and follow it as it climbs for 1.4 km to reach Rae Lake. The Rae Creek Gorge will be on your left all the way approximately the lake. Its rather a lovely area of treking and the grade is moderate. At a T-junction there is a map showing the Tombstone Lakes and Campground. Look for a cairn on the right before the
culvert– this trail goes straight up to Rae Lake. Heading towards Rae Lake from the Sheep River Valley Road. Pretty mountain landscapes on the method up to Rae Lake. Rae Lake. Rae Lake beings in a peaceful and really lovely setting listed below the north end of Mount Rae, east of Tombstone Pass. The couple of people that go to do so primarily as a day walking. But there has been apparent camping near the outlet. Since its in Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park, Random outdoor camping is permitted here. If you do camp, pack out what you load in and leave no trace– something others have obviously not done. You might likewise camp in the meadows beyond the lake– and the walking to get water would be doable. In the fall, enjoy the larch trees in all their glory near the lake. Rae Lake remains in a gorgeous setting. Rae Lake down to the road showing up from Elbow Lake. John and I completely enjoyed the descent from the lake through meadows, grassy sections and open forest to reach the road-trail turning up from Elbow Lake.
I found the trail to be well used and always obvious. When we reached the road-trail, we just turned left and followed it for 5.3 km back to the automobile.
Path leading away from Rae Lake. A simple grade going up or down from Rae Lake. When its 36C Elbow Lake looks especially inviting.
A couple of things you might find helpful on this walking. Further reading on hikes along Highway 40. Click the picture to bookmark to your Pinterest boards
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The images in this blog illustrate a clockwise loop to Rae Lake that starts at the cairns, turns right at the Sheep River Valley Trail, goes up to Rae Lake and then comes down through a narrow trail to come out on the road coming up from Elbow Lake.( If you were attempting to do a loop from the other direction, you would turn left here and follow the trail for 0.5 km to satisfy up with the path you originally took up to Rae Lake. ). Rae Lake sits in a very lovely and serene setting listed below the north end of Mount Rae, east of Tombstone Pass. Rae Lake down to the roadway coming up from Elbow Lake. John and I thoroughly took pleasure in the descent from the lake through meadows, grassy areas and open forest to reach the road-trail coming up from Elbow Lake.
