Dec 13th: The air temperature in PLPP climbed above freezing on Dec 6th and 7th, with some rain showers turning to mixed precipitation followed by flurries. Accumulations for that first and so far only snow of December ranged from about 2 to 5cm's, and the warm temperatures left some icy areas on the trails particularly at lower elevations, for example in the vicinity of Pocaterra Hut. All trails have been snowmobile packed at least once, with some snowmobile rolling taking place as well. Only trails left with corduroy (snowmobile rolled) will show up as "groomed" on the map. Packers has been packed but needs the most snow to eliminate hazards and deserves special mention for the quantity and severity of early season hazards.
The full array of early season natural hazards exist on most trails, including bumps (watch for the many early season rollers on upper Elk Pass) and uneven surfaces, open water/ice/slush, possible exposed brush, dirt and rocks (especially under tree cover at low elevations), as well as the possibility of downed trees. There are also many frozen tree bombs from the recent melt.
Caution is advised for plowed roads in both Elkwood and Boulton Campgrounds. Two plowed crossings exist across Wheeler (and at the North end of Amos at the Wheeler junction), as well as two crossings on Whiskey Jack, and the north end of Moraine was plowed in Boulton campground.
Hiking trails will be covered in snow. Expect high traffic trails to be snow packed. With some recent warmer days, and colder nights snow may be crusty, and icy in places.
Snowshoe trails will be snow covered but there will be some open water or marsh in some areas, and brush and other low snow hazards will exist.
At anytime come prepared for a variety of conditions, that can change throughout the day. Note that days are now growing shorter.
Be aware of closures in the area and check advisories before you go.
Annual Road Closures:
Highway #40: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 14, from Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Highwood House Junction.
Closures:
Notes:
Warnings:
Elkwood Campground Comfort Stations: Construction
Snow Depths:
Highwood Pass: 45cm
Burstall Pass: 72cm
Mud Lake: 43cm
Aster Lake: 79cm
| Trail Name | Permitted Activities (Legend) | Length | Status | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Amos
Caution: Construction in Elkwood campground has plowed to pavement at the intersection of Amos/Wheeler. Roller Packed: Dec 09 |
|
2.4 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Blueberry Hill
Snowmobile packed on Dec 02nd. |
|
3.5 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Boulton Creek
Groomed: Dec 04 |
|
2.2 km one-way | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Braille
Roller Packed: Nov 23 |
|
2.2 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Canyon Snowshoe
|
 
|
1.7 km one-way | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Chester Lake
|
|
4.6 km one-way | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Chester Lake Snowshoe
|
|
3.4 km one-way | Open | Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing |
|
Come Along
|
|
2.1 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Elk Pass
Roller Packed: Dec 09 |
|
5.6 km | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Elkwood Loop Snowshoe
|
|
4.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Fox Creek
Groomed: Dec 04 |
|
1.6 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Frost Heave Snowshoe
|
|
2.5 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Frozen Toad Loop Snowshoe
|
|
8.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Graupel Snowshoe
|
|
5.6 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
High Rockies
Note: Between Nov. 1 and May 1 the trail is closed through the Buller Slide Path due to Highway Avalanche Control. |
|
63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Hogarth Lakes Loop Snowshoe
|
|
3.9 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Hydroline
Roller Packed: Dec 09 |
|
3.8 km | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lodgepole
Snowmobile rolled only to the south Sinclair junction; the remainder packed on Dec 5th. Possible open water and/or thin ice at the north end on the marsh. Roller Packed: Nov 23 |
|
4.2 km | Warning | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lookout
North side of Lookout was roller packed on Nov.27 and the South side was snowmobile packed on Nov 20th. Always use extra caution on Lookout, especially the steeper South side. Open water on Boulton Creek at the bottom of the South side. Roller Packed: Nov 27 |
|
4.9 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lower Lake Group Camp
Snowmobile packed: Nov 27 |
|
1.3 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Lower Lake Snowshoe
|
|
3.9 km one-way | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Lynx
Roller Packed: Dec 11 |
|
1.8 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Marsh Loop Snowshoe
|
|
1.3 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Meadow
Roller packed on east side of KLT, and snowmobile packed on the west side of the KLT on Dec 5th. Roller Packed: Dec 09 |
|
4.0 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Moraine
Caution advised as Boulton Campground Loop A has been partially plowed. Groomed: Dec 04 |
|
3.1 km | Warning | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Packers
Snowmobile packed on Dec. 11 Full array of hazards including open water/ice- needs the most snow of all trails to eliminate hazards. |
|
3.1 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Patterson
Roller Packed: Dec 09 |
|
0.9 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Penstock Loop Snowshoe
|
|
4.5 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Pocaterra
Roller packed: from the hut to Lynx on Nov. 28, from Lynx to Lookout Dec. 11 Roller Packed: Dec 11 |
|
9.7 km one-way | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Pocaterra Training Grid
Snowmobile packed on Nov 25th. |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane | |
|
Rolly Road
Roller Packed: Nov 25 |
|
1.7 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Rolly Road Training Grid
Snowmobile packed on Nov 25th. |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC | |
|
Sawmill Loop Snowshoe
|
|
5.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Sinclair
|
|
1.3 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Snowdrift Snowshoe
|
|
8.3 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
South Sawmill Loop
|
|
2.8 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Spruce Road
Roller Packed: Nov 23 |
|
0.8 km | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Tailwater Snowshoe
|
|
1.9 km | Open | Fat Biking,Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Torpor Loop
|
|
6.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat Duane |
|
Tyrwhitt
Snowmobile packed on Dec. 11. |
|
5.4 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Upper Lake Connector
Roller Packed: Dec 02 |
|
0.9 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Wheeler
Caution advised for construction in Elkwood campground with 2 plowed trail crossings. Roller Packed: Dec 09 |
|
4.7 km | Warning | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Whiskey Jack
Caution advised for Plowed Boulton Campground Roads on Loop A (Moraine) and Loop D. Roller Packed: Dec 11 |
|
4.0 km | Warning | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
William Watson Lodge Access
Roller Packed: Nov 28 |
|
0.6 km one-way | Open | Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC ebike, Electric Bike |
|
William Watson Lodge Connector
|
|
0.7 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat Duane |
|
Wintour Snowshoe
Dec 3rd: Exposed pavement |
|
5.1km/10.2km return | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Woolley
Roller Packed: Dec 09 |
|
2.1 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
