Kananaskis Highlands
Dates Price Meeting Place & Time Itinerary Difficulty, Fitness & Prerequisites Guides & Group Size; Accommodation & Meals Transportation Clothing & Equipment Insurance Booking Information
Kananaskis Country, which was given protected status in 1977, is located in the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies immediately to the south of Banff National Park. It consists of over 4000 square km of foothills, valleys and mountains. In 1858, John Palliser named the area after a native Cree warrior called "Koominakoos".
Often referred to by locals as "K-Country", it is a region of tightly folded limestone peaks and alpine lakes. The gunmetal grey of the mountains contrasts sharply with the blue of its lakes and the conifer green of the forests cloaking the lower elevations.
The area offers a multitude of landscapes and trails. It is also home to a large variety of wildlife including wolves, grizzly and black bears, elk, moose, deer and big horn sheep.
This five-day trip across the South and North Kananaskis Passes offers varied scenery with lots of lakes, glaciers and spectacular canyons gouged through the rock.
2009 Date
Private Departures Can Be Arranged
Cost
$1035 Canadian includes guides, Provincial Park fees, out-trip meals, group camping gear and local transfers.
Not included: Canmore accommodation, Gratuities & 5% Goods and Service Tax (GST)*. Cancellation insurance available for $60.
Optional pre and post trip accommodation packages are available from $80 per person per night for shared room lodging ($160 for single occupancy). Purchase with booking. Subject to availability.
* a 50% rebate of the GST is available to non-residents of Canada.
Meeting Place and Time
We will meet you at our Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office at 7.30pm the evening of Day 1.
Our office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.
For your greater convenience we offer a pre-meeting shuttle service within Canmore. Please let us know in advance where you will be staying if needing this service. Pickup will occur between 7.00 and 7.20pm.
Please ensure that you have your hiking equipment with you.
Program Itinerary
Day 1: At 7.30pm we meet at the Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office in Canmore. We'll go over the trip with you and check to see that you are properly outfitted.
Day 2:
Kananaskis Lakes - Three Isle Lake
We will pick you up after breakfast, deal with last minute gear issues
and food packing then drive to the trailhead (1hour) along the
spectacular Smith-Dorrien highway to the south of Canmore. The trail
leads us first around the Upper Kananaskis Lake then into the forests following
the Kananaskis River. After reaching the Forks, we continue to hike up the Three Isle headwall
to camp for the night at Three Isle Lake (2175m.). Distance 10km.
Elevation gain 300m.
|
On Northover Ridge |
Day 3: Day hike
to Northover Ridge
We are never far from treeline now and the scenery begins to
expand exponentially as we rapidly gain height above the Lake
carrying only light packs. From Northover Ridge (2800m.) and west into
the Royal Group and beyond. Distance 10km. Elevation gain 600m,
loss 600m.
Day 4:
Three Isle - Turbine Canyon
Today is pass crossing day and the most challenging we face! After breakfast we make our way to the
Continental Divide at South Kananaskis Pass (2306m)
and cross into British Columbia.
Passing Beatty Lake we contour into Leroy Creek on rough trails to
re-cross the continental divide at North Kananaskis Pass (2368m) where
we can stop to enjoy the views surrounding Maude Lake. Another 2km and
we arrive at Turbine Canyon. Distance 14.2km. Elevation gain 730m., loss 650m.
Day 5: Turbine Canyon - Forks
Campground
Turbine Canyon Camp (2200m) sits on a bench near treeline above the
confluence of Maude Brook and the Upper Kananaskis River, it is named
after the impressive and narrow canyon just downstream from the
campsite. The views are tremendous and it's also a great place to do a
side trip. After a leisurely morning spent exploring this fascinating
area we hike across the meadows to Lawson Lake and then
it's all downhill as we descend to the Upper Kananaskis River valley
bottom
and Forks campground. Distance 7.8km. Elevation loss 400m.
View from Haig Glacier back to Turbine Canyon and Lawson Lake
Day 6: Forks Campground to Kananaskis
Lakes
After breakfast we pack up
and start our return to civilization. From Forks Campground we follow the
Upper Kananaskis River valley to the Upper Kananaskis Lake by early
afternoon.
Then we retrace our way back to Canmore for hot showers and and a
final group dinner in town. Distance 7km. Elevation loss
100m.
How difficult is it? How fit and experienced need you be?
This trip is rated moderate to strenuous. Backpack weights are mostly moderate though participants will be carrying personal clothing and gear plus a fair share of food and group gear (tents, stoves etc) for the entire trip. By leaving a night's food at Forks campground we reduce our weight for the most challenging section on Day 4. As food and fuel are used on preceding days the backpacks become lighter by the day. By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 18kg (40lbs) on the 1st day. Please read our Travelling Light & Making Backpacking More Fun for information and suggestions for clothing and equipment.
Prior hiking experience is not a prerequisite but is recommended. Participants must be in good physical condition and able to carry a backpack over hilly terrain for a succession of days.
The trails are mostly good though very rough on Day 4. We will hike a regular and steady pace that conserves energy but you must be in as good as possible hiking shape before you come. We cannot emphasize enough that training pays great dividends in enjoyment. We suggest you train by walking and/or cycling and/or hiking (ideally in hilly terrain).
Visit our Trip Difficulty Comparison Chart.
Accommodation and Meals
On the trail you will be staying in modern, lightweight 2- and 1-person weather-proof tents.
The first and last night's accommodation in Canmore is NOT included. For your convenience we can arrange bed and breakfast hotel rooms for these and other nights at $160 per night. These will be at the recommended Westridge Country Inn. Double or single occupancy, the cost is the same. For those wishing to defray this cost we will try to pair them with other participants. This accommodation can be booked with the trip online or by calling us. Subject to availability.
You can also make your own arrangements. Check our links page for a range of Canmore accommodations.
Excess luggage can be left at your hotel or our office.
We supply all meals and trail snacks from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 6. Groups generally go out for dinner in Canmore with the guide on the final evening (own cost).
Trail cuisine is constructed from lightweight ingredients including our Yamnuska custom-made dehydrated dinners. Please specify any special dietary requirements you have on booking so we can incorporate them into our menus. In case of more complicated diets a surcharge may apply.
Guides and Group Size
|
On the trail to Beatty Lake |
Yamnuska Mountain Adventure guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Our professional guides have extensive experience in the Canadian Rockies. Guides also have advanced wilderness first aid training and heritage interpretation accreditation. Guides carry emergency equipment including a first aid kit, bear spray and radio.
There will be a maximum of eight guests and a minimum of four.
Getting to Canmore and Transportation
Canmore is situated 100km (65miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is well served by scheduled bus lines both from Calgary (airport and downtown), Banff (20km west) and points further west. Calgary International Airport is well connected to major cities throughout North America and Europe. Once in Canmore we will supply all transport needed for the trip.
Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Call 609 8790, 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore.
Clothing and Equipment
We supply group camping and cooking equipment plus a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring personal equipment (backpack, sleeping bag, etc.) and clothing. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures does have rental and retail equipment such as sleeping bags, mats, and backpacks. Rental Gear List. Contact us in advance to reserve.
What you bring will have a big impact on the quality of your experience, we especially urge you to read our notes on lightweight gear and clothing.
Please download the list below and make sure that you will have the items listed.
Clothing and Equipment List (pdf)
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Fishing
Both Three Isle and Maude Lakes contain cutthroat trout with Maude fishing particularly well. Participants are welcome to bring lightweight fishing gear. Alberta Provincial fishing license is required (purchase in Canmore). Fishing regulations apply.
Insurance
There is no charge for rescue in this area. However you should ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra travel insurance if necessary.
To Book
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $380 CDN (including GST) is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the trip. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $60, this can only be purchased at the time of booking.
For detailed Booking Instructions and Conditions, click here.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the trip. Click here for waiver copy.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need to know anything else about this hike.
