Upper Kananaskis full lake loop (mostly) – Relaxed Pace

Slow and Steady Hikers
Every summer, I love to do the full lake loop around Upper Kananaskis Lake. It is a long trip, but not a lot of elevation, with beautiful views of the lake, the forest, Point Campground, Hidden Lake, waterfalls, and more.

It is a long day with a lot of distance and some rough footing. You must have hiked with me a least once before (brought proper gear, showed you stay with the group, got along with the group) and you must not have evening plans or rush the group. We are out for the full day.

Usually, I do the entire loop, including Hidden Lake, for about 23km. The section between North Interlakes parking and Upper Kananaskis Day Use parking has been closed all summer due to bears, so we will do the slightly shorter loop. You get lucky, because we lose some km’s (although I’m disappointed). 😂

So, we will all meet at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area parking at 9:15am. I will be camping in Kananaskis, so you will have to arrange your own carpooling from Calgary. I do not have cell service and limited wifi, so please, no messages or cancellations after noon on Saturday, unless it’s an emergency. Please don’t be late. Then, we will pack into a few cars, and drive over to the North Interlakes Day Use Area parking. We will start our hike from there, as we hike through the trees to Point backcountry campground. We stop there for lunch, and then continue around the lake to the falls, Hidden Lake, past the Rawson Lake turnoff, and back
to the Upper Kanananaskis Lake turnoff. We will require one or two drivers to take a few of us back to the other parking lot. Please
be patient and cooperative.

I have done this many times, so it all makes sense to me. If it is confusing to you, please leave a question in the comments.

Distance: Approximately 18km (shortened loop)
Elevation: Approximately 400m

Due to bears, a minimum of four participants is mandatory for the hike to go ahead. We will hike with light occassional rain and light smoke. Hike will be cancelled by 6pm the evening before if it will rain all day, severe thunderstorms with lightning, heavy smoke (over 9), there is a new bear closure, or in event of the organizer illness or family emergency. I will have my friendly, well trained, German Shepherd on a leash at all times. No other dogs, guests, or children please.

It is very important to me that everyone hikes together as a group, you can always see the leader, and no one runs ahead, even for the last few km’s. No exceptions. If you run ahead, you will not hike with me again. We are out for a group hike. This gives us safety in numbers and a chance to hike with other likeminded individuals. If you like to hike solo, or run far ahead, please don’t join a group hike. Strong hikers, do not pressure the slower hikers to go faster than they are comfortable.

We meet at the Upper Lakes Day Use Area at 9:15am. This will be a long day, please don’t make evening plans. I cannot tell you what time the hike will end.

On my hikes, we take 4-12 experienced hikers. We do not run ahead or leave people behind. We are out to enjoy nature together, get to know each other better, and keep each other safe. If you run ahead of the group, we will feed you to the bears.

You choose to make your own carpooling plans once you are accepted on the hike. Recommended $25 gas fee. I recommend meeting at Shouldice Park and Ride or Petro Canada at hwy 22 and 1. Please plan your pickup times accordingly to arrive by 9:15am.

Bear spray, good hiking boots, backpack, lunch, and 3L of water are mandatory. Poles are optional, but recommended. Lunch, snacks, poles, changes of clothes, medications, strongly recommended. First aid kit, tensor bandage, and emergency silver blanket, and headlamp with new batteries are recommended in case things don’t go to plan. Extra socks and plastic bags for your boots are also useful. A water bladder you can drink while you hike, plus a backup water bottle is ideal.

You will sign in on paper at the hike showing you agree to the waiver. Please have an emergency contact name and number ready to add to the sign in sheet.

Please read the slow and steady waiver and code of conduct in advance. You will sign in agreeing to the conditions of the waiver at the trailhead and leave an emergency contact name and number. You agree to follow slow and steady policies, listen to the organizer, treat everyone with respect, do your own research on the hikes, come prepared, and recognize that your organizers are volunteers who put in a lot of their own time to plan and lead these hikes for you.