BACKPACKING IN KANANASKIS COUNTRY: A PHOTO ESSAY

I recently spent three days in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country on my first solo backpacking adventure. It was a pretty amazing experience. I hiked the Upper Kananaskis Lake loop with a detour to the Forks Backcountry Campground. The Upper Lake loop is a popular and classic Kananaskis hike that can be done as a day trip or as part of a longer backpacking trip. I highly recommend it!

Below, I’ve shared photos from my three days on the trail for a taste of what this little corner of the Rockies offers.

Day 1: Upper Lake Day Use Area to Point Backcountry Campground

A backpack rests against a car in a parking lot

All packed up and ready to go. I have to admit I was a little nervous heading out but thankful it wasn’t pouring rain like the forecast had predicted.

A bench sits on a lake shore with mountains and clouds in the background

Within the first 5 minutes on the trail I was treated to views like these.

A dirt path winds through a forest

Loved the colours on the trail…so many shades of green!

Waterfall

The falls at Sarrail Creek

Tree stumps sit on the shore of a lake

Driftwood tree stumps from old logging days.

Rocky outcrop on a trail

Beautiful views as the path wound around Upper Kananaskis Lake.

A wooden bridge

The first of many wood bridges.

A trail winds through a forest with moss

The trail moved up and away from the lake, taking me deep into the forest.

A trail winds through a forest

Loose rocks began to replace the dirt path as I got closer to Point Campground.

Close up of tree bark

The rain began to fall just as I was making supper. So I abandoned the picnic table and hid under the branches of this tree to eat instead.

A tent sits on a dirt pad with trees and mountains in the background

My campsite on night one. The sites at Point campground were so private, you wouldn’t even know there was anyone else around. The views of the mountains and lake didn’t hurt either.

Mountains and trees at sunset

Watching the sunset and fighting off mosquitoes.

Day 2: Point Backcountry Campground to Forks Backcountry Campground

A cup of coffee sits on a rock

Single-serving packets of instant cappuccino are a backpacker’s dream.

A picnic table with camping supplies

I’m just as messy in the backcountry as I am at home.

Upper Kananaskis Lake with trees in the foreground

The fog was so thick when I first woke up that I couldn’t even see the lake or the mountains that had felt so close the day before. It was just starting to clear as I headed out on the trail.

A trail winds through mountains

Following the trail through the site of an old rock slide.

Upper Kananaskis Lake with mountains in the background

One last view of Upper Kananaskis Lake before heading deeper into the backcountry.

A trail through the forest

As the forest got thicker, I called out more and more in hopes that the bears would stay in the trees and away from me.

A wooden bridge spans a river in a forest

Crossing another bridge…

A creel cuts through a forest

…and taking in the views.

A close up of tree bark

This is my happy place.

A wooden bridge spans a river

And yet another bridge shot.

A trail winds through the mountains

Leaving the forest for a few minutes to pass through another rock slide.

A tent sits in the forest

Home on night two.

A river cuts through a forest

Upper Kananaskis River runs alongside Forks Backcountry Campground.

A blanket and books sit on a riverbank

Sandy patches on the riverbank meant I could spend the rest of day two having a beach day.

Day 3: Forks Backcountry Campground to Upper Lake Day Use Area

A panoramic shot of a lake and mountains

After making my way back along the same trail I had taken the day before, I returned to Upper Kananaskis Lake to finish off the loop.

Barrels sit on the shoreline by a lake with mountains in the background

In case anyone is wondering how they maintain backcountry outhouses – those barrels are airlifted via helicopter to the campgrounds and swapped out for the full ones, which are brought back, dumped and aired out in this picturesque spot.

Overlooking a lake with mountains in the background

Looking down on Lower Kananaskis Lake from the dam that separates it from Upper Lake.

A chipmunk sits on a dead tree stump

Cute and innocent? Or spawn of the devil? Read my post about this little guy and decide for yourself…

A rocky beach lines a lake with mountains in the background

More driftwood-strewn beaches and mountain views.

A bench sits in front of a lake with mountains in the background

Not a bad spot for a rest.

A lake with mountains in the background

Looking back along the trail to see how far I’d come…

A trail winds with mountains in the background

…and ahead, to see how far I had to go.

Fireweed blooms in the foreground with mountains in the background

Pretty flowers along the trail.

Kayakers on a lake with mountains in the background

The lake got busier as I got closer to the day use area.

A lake with mountains in the background in Kananaskis Country

The final little stretch of the trail was along this beach. Which was equal parts beautiful and horrific because of my tired legs and sore feet. 

A backpack leans up against a car in a parking lot backed by mountains

I dropped my pack back at my car after 3 days. Sweaty, dirty, happy.

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2 Comments

  1. Wow, spectacular scenery and pictures. It sounds like it’s an easy trail to access and return to from town. Did you manage to weigh your pack before and after your hike?

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