June 9th: Expect wet and muddy trails from the recent rain and snow accumulation at higher elevations. Extra caution is advised near all water bodies, especially flowing water.
The last few days saw rain, snow and mixed precipitation, leaving trails muddy, with new snow melting quickly to bare ground at lower elevations, and in the process of melting out at higher elevations. Before the recent snow: at lowest elevations, trails are mainly bare with muddy sections, and a few patches of snow or ice possible. At high elevations trails are mainly or partially snow covered, deep in places, with some bare and mud patches. Removal of downed trees from winter blow down is underway, and will continue over the next month or so as snow melts. The paved bike trail is snow free (with some snow on the edges), and has been swept of needles and debris. Summer to winter sign changeover is complete. Lower and Upper Kananaskis Lakes are both ice free. Be bear aware!
Always come prepared for a variety of conditions, that can change suddenly throughout the day. You may want to consider bringing hiking poles, micro spikes, toques, gloves and multiple layers.
People seeking alpine objectives should keep in mind that spring avalanches are a potential hazard. Pay close attention to freezing levels, solar radiation and new precipitation (either as rain or snow) at this time of year as avalanche danger has lots of variables.
Annual Road Closures:
Highway #40: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 14, from Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Highwood House Junction.
Closures:
Notes:
Warnings:
Snow Depths:
Highwood Pass: 101 cm
Aster Lake: 190 cm (Last reported May 16th)
Burstall Pass: 107 cm
Mud Lake: 8 cm
| Trail Name | Permitted Activities (Legend) | Length | Status | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Interpretive
May 11th: Patches of Snow & Ice. |
Hiking
|
2.1 km | Open | |
|
Bill Benson
Bear Warning: Bears in the area May 12th: Sign changeover complete. Snow free and blown clean of needles and debris. |
Hiking
|
0.7 km one-way | Warning | |
|
Black Prince Cirque Interpretive
May 28th: Downed trees removed. Mainly bare and muddy at low elevations. Deep snow in places at high elevations. Note: The Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge is NOT accessed from this trail. |
Hiking
|
4.2 km | Open | |
|
Boulton Creek Interpretive
June 8th: A mix of snow, ice and bare ground. Sign changeover complete. Clear of downed trees, some spots are muddy/wet. |
Hiking
|
4.9 km | Open | |
|
Burstall Pass
May 14th: Mainly or fully snow covered, deep in places. Note: Bikes permitted on first 3.5 km of trail ONLY. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
7.4 km one-way | Open | |
|
Chester Lake
Closed: Closed May 1 - Jun 29 to allow area to dry and prevent damage to trail. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
4.6 km one-way | Closed | |
|
Elbow Lake
Warning: No vehicle access via HWY 40, Dec 1 - Jun 14. Mainly snow covered with deep snow at the campground. Tombstone Backcountry and Equestrian Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - May 14. Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 14. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
Horseback Riding
|
1.4 km one-way | Warning | |
|
Elk Pass
June 8th: Mainly snow covered, with some bare patches over first 2 kms; Sign changeover complete. Cleared of downed trees, muddy sections with some flowing and pooling water. Up to 40cm's of snow remains on shady parts of Elk Pass above Blueberry junction. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
5.6 km | Open | |
|
High Rockies
June 8th: Ranges from mainly snow free north of Sparrowhawk and south of Black Prince to partially snow covered in some areas, including upper Elk Pass and Chester area. Trees have been removed north of Buller and south of Black Prince and tree removal will continue as trail melts out. Not all parts of the trail have yet been observed by Parks staff this Spring. Note: Hiker-cyclist camping allowed at select day use areas only from Jun 1 - Sep 20. See details. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use; 80.0 km Goat Creek to Elk Pass | Open | |
|
Highwood Meadows
Apr 28th: Snowbound. Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Dec 1 - Jun 14. |
Hiking
|
0.6 km one-way | Warning | |
|
Kananaskis Canyon Interpretive
Closed: Stream crossings washed away by penstock/dam construction. Trail is impassable and is closed indefinitely. |
Hiking
|
0.8 km | Closed | |
|
Lookout
May 21st: Deep snow. Clear of downed trees, sign changeover complete. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
1.7 km | Open | |
|
Lower Lake
Bear Warning: Bears in the area Apr 28th: Mainly bare with some ice and snow patches. Downed trees removed. Sign changeover complete. |
Hiking
|
3.5 km one-way | Warning | |
|
Lower Lake Interpretive
May 27th: Snow free. Blown clean of needles and debris. Sign changeover complete. Downed trees removed. |
Hiking
|
0.5 km one-way | Open | |
|
Marl Lake Interpretive
May 27th: Snow free. Downed trees removed. Blown clean of needles and debris. Sign changeover complete. |
Hiking
|
1.5 km for loop | Open | |
|
Maude-Lawson
Apr 28th: Deep snow. Note: This trail has been redirected just west of Forks for access to Turbine Canyon. Turbine Canyon Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 24. |
Hiking
|
7.5 km | Open | |
|
Peninsula
May 28th: Snow free. Checked for downed trees. |
Hiking
|
0.4 km | Open | |
|
Peter Lougheed Paved
May 28th: Snow free (except for some edges). Downed trees removed. Blown clean of needles and debris. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
12.1 km one-way | Open | |
|
Pocaterra
May 1st: Mainly bare at low elevations; mainly snow covered at high elevations. Sign changeover complete. Note: This is not the undesignated Pocaterra Ridge or Cirque route. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
9.9 km one-way | Open | |
|
Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive
Apr 28th: Snowbound. Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Dec 1 - Jun 14. |
Hiking
|
4.5 km | Warning | |
|
Rawson Lake
May 14th: Deep snow and slippery conditions; cleared of downed trees. |
Hiking
|
3.9 km one-way | Open | |
|
Rock Glacier Interpretive
Apr 28th: Snowbound. Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Dec 1 - Jun 14. |
Hiking
|
0.15 km one-way | Warning | |
|
Rockwall Interpretive
June 3rd: Snow free. Downed trees removed. Blown clean of needles and debris. |
Hiking
|
0.5 km | Open | |
|
Spruce Road
June 3rd: Snow free, with needles and tree debris. Sign changeover complete. |
Hiking
|
0.8 km | Open | |
|
Three Isle Lake
June 3rd: Snow free until bottom of headwall downed trees and avalanche debris removed. Observed only to part way up headwall. Note: Bikes only permitted to Invincible Creek, 3.8 km from trailhead Forks Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 14. Three Isle Lake Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 24. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
10.2 km | Open | |
|
Upper Lake
May 16th: Some snow and ice patches. Downed tree have been cleared all the way around Upper Lake. Point Campground is mainly snow free. Aster Lake Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - Jul 2. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
15.7 km | Open | |
|
Whiskey Jack
May 21st: Snow patches at low elevations and mainly snow covered at high elevations. Cleared of downed trees. Sign changeover complete. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
3.9 km one-way | Open | |
|
William Watson Lodge Access
May 20th: Sign changeover in complete. Snow free with needles and tree debris. |
Biking/Cycling
E-bikes
Hiking
|
0.6 km one-way | Open |
