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Elk Lakes Cabin

Elk Lakes Cabin

Built 1992

Elk Lakes Cabin is an excellent base from which to explore the sparkling lakes, waterfalls and majestic peaks of the area. The hut also provides access to a number of high-quality ice climbs. Due to recent logging outside of the park, cut blocks offer simple terrain for ski touring. It is a great hut for first time users or families.
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Hut Facilities

  • Heat Source: Wood - Provided
  • Light Source: Propane - Provided
  • Stove: Propane - Provided
  • Oven: Propane
  • Bedding: Mattress
  • Water Source: Creek
  • Bathroom: Outhouse

Kananaskis Conservation Pass

If you are accessing the Elk Lakes Cabin from the Elk Pass trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required.
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Elk Lakes Cabin Side View
Elk Lakes Cabin Exterior Side View
Elk Lakes Cabin Exterior Summer
Elk Lake Cabin Winter
Elk Lakes Cabin Interior Table
Elk Lakes Cabin Interior Table
Elk Lake Cabin Interior Seating
Elk Lakes Cabin Interior Wood Stove
Elk Lakes Cabin Interior Loft
Elk Lakes Cabin Sleeping Loft
Elk Lakes Cabin Kitchen
Elk Lakes Cabin Kitchen

Elk Lakes Cabin Features

Family Friendly
Open All Year

Features

  • Trail Distance: 9km
  • Elevation Gain: 200m
  • Capacity: 14
  • Activities: Trail Hiking, Scrambling

Family friendly hiking hut

Elk Lakes in the summer is a welcome base for families exploring the wonderful hiking in the Park. Sparkling lakes, majestic peaks and nearly limitless hiking options are waiting to be explored.

A reasonable 3 to 4 hour hike from Peter Lougheed Park makes this a popular family destination and a first-time backcountry hut experience for many.

The Elk Lakes area has a wide variety of hiking options. Hikers of all abilities and interests will be entertained for several days in the area. Many of the trails are are appropriate for all family members with some experience in back-country hiking. Other trails are longer, tougher, more exposed and involve some route-finding. Everyone will be rewarded with spectacular views of craggy peaks, alpine tarns, waterfalls, glaciers, alpine flowers and mountain fauna . Those that have been to Elk Lakes compare it to the world-renowned Lake O’Hara area in Yoho National Park. Hiking in the area is best covered in Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, Volume 1, Canadian Rockies Trail Guide, and Where the Locals Hike in the Canadian Rockies.

Several mountaineering objectives and a couple of difficult scrambles can be reached from the Elk Lakes Cabin. Mts . Fox, Aosta, Petain, Nivelle and Castelnau can all be summited in a moderate to long day from the cabin. There is good access to Mt . Joffre from the Elk Lakes side, but a high camp is recommended if you are planning on climbing it. Guidebook information on the area is contained in the out-of-print “Rocky Mountains of Canada – South”, by Boles, Kruszyna and Putnam.

Trail Access

Hiking from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park: Park at the Elk Pass trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. From the trailhead, follow the Elk Pass trail to Fox Creek. At Fox Creek, hikers may take the left fork to follow the Hydroline trail to Elk Pass (3.9km). Hikers may also take the right fork to Elk Pass via the Elk Pass trail (4.4km). Once you reach the AB/BC border, follow the road downhill for 4.2 km until you reach the cabin.

Biking from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park: Park at the Elk Pass trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. From the trailhead, bike along the Elk Pass trail to Fox Creek. At Fox Creek, take the left fork to follow the Hydroline trail to Elk Pass (3.9km). Once you reach the AB/BC border, follow the road downhill for 4.2 km until you reach the cabin. There are bike racks across from the cabin. Biking is not permitted past the Elk Lakes Provincial Park campground.

Driving from Sparwood, BC: Elk Lakes Park is located in southeastern BC, about 104 kilometres north of Sparwood. Turn off Highway 3 at Sparwood and go north on Highway 43 until you reach the community of Elkford, a distance of 35 kilometres. From here, travel the gravel road on the west side of the Elk River. Approximately 47 kilometres north of Elkford the road crosses the Elk River and joins the Kananaskis Power Line Road. It is 5.8 kilometres from the crossing to the Cadorna Creek trailhead. The Elk Lakes trailhead is a further 16.1 kilometres. Driving time from Sparwood to the park is approximately two hours.

Rates

Member Rates

  • Standard $25

Non Member Rates

  • Standard $25

Features

  • Trail Distance: 9km
  • Elevation Gain: 200m
  • Capacity: 14
  • Activities: Ski Touring, Ice Climbing, Snowshoeing

Ski touring and ice climbing that's closer than you think

The Elk Lakes Cabin in the winter is a cozy and warm base for ski touring and ice climbing adventures. Ski tourers often refer to Elk Lakes as a lesser-known Lake O’Hara, with outstanding terrain and fluffy BC powder.

Fat, pure-ice routes and skinny, modern mixed climbs abound in the area, mostly on the south face of Mt. Fox that overlooks the upper Elk Lake. Tick off classic Rockies ice climbs by day, dry your ropes in the cozy cabin by night.

The Elk Lakes Cabin is very popular in winter. It is one of the few ACC huts that can be reached with cross- country skis by reasonably advanced cross-country skiers. Those on alpine touring or telemark gear should find the trip easy. The ski touring in the area ranges from easy, flat tours to advanced ski mountaineering. The ski touring is not described in any guidebooks, so you will have to use a map and your imagination to find your own trails and slopes!

The area has several high quality waterfall ice routes and at least one established mixed climb. The routes are described in Waterfall Ice Climbs in the Canadian Rockies. Note:Seasonal highway #40 road closure from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to Highwood House Junction. Closed December 1 – June 14.

Trail Access

Skiing from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park: Park at the Elk Pass trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Follow the Elk Pass winter trail to Fox Creek. At Fox Creek, skiers may take the left fork to follow the Hydroline trail to Elk Pass (3.9km). Skiers may also take the right fork to Elk Pass via the Elk Pass trail (4.4km). In the winter, this route is typically track set to Elk Pass. At Elk Pass, follow the Hydroline road for 4.3km until you reach the hut.

Snowshoeing from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park: Park at the Elk Pass trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Follow the well-marked Elk Pass Snowshoe trail, which follows the Hydroline trail (highlighted in green on the map below). The marked snowshoe trail meets up with the ski trail in a few sections. Please stay single file on sections shared with the ski trail and do not walk over the track-set ski trails.

Rates

Member Rates

  • Standard $25

Non Member Rates

  • Standard $25

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Location

  • Elk Pass, Kananaskis

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Hut History

The Elk Lakes Cabin was built in 1992 to house park rangers. In 2003, BC Parks issued a request for proposals for the operation of the cabin for public use. The Alpine Club of Canada was awarded operation of the cabin, and began operating it in the summer of 2004.

The Elk Lakes Cabin was a welcome addition to the ACC’s hut system. It has easy access, and a wide range of hiking, skiing and climbing opportunities in the area.

References and Links

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  • Pricing is subject to change without notice.

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