Rae Glacier Trail

Rae Glacier Trail is an out-and-back of about 5.7 mi (9.1 km) from Elbow Pass Day Use Area to the moraine below Rae Glacier. The mapped line counts the Elbow Lake approach each way and draws the upper route once; it skips the optional shoreline circuit around the lake. Published routes range from about 8.1 to 9.3 km depending on the line and return they use. Allow about four hours and roughly 424 m of cumulative climb. Choose it for the glacier basin and broad mountain view; if you want a signed walk, make Elbow Lake your turnaround instead.

The first roughly 1.4 km climbs steeply on a wide, old road through forest to Elbow Lake and its backcountry campground. The approach is shared with horses, so leave room for them. Pit toilets are available at the campground beside the lake; no food service was found on the route.

Past the campground, continue around the lake to its east or northeast shore and pick up the unsigned path that follows a creek upstream. The upper route is much harder to read than the lake trail. It can fade among creek rocks and unclear junctions; occasional cairns or flagging are not continuous markers.

The path crosses a rocky creek bed, then climbs a rib and terminal moraine. Expect loose footing and sustained rock hopping. A stream fed by nearby snowmelt can be difficult to cross in midsummer. Stop on stable ground at the moraine: gravel can cover ice, and the basin has crevasse and avalanche hazards. Do not walk onto the glacier.

The open rock rib gives a wide view over surrounding peaks and the glacier basin; near the toe, turn back for the valley behind you. Rae Glacier grew during the Little Ice Age and has been retreating over the long term. Research groups have studied it for years. It supplies only a small share of the Elbow River’s water; Elbow Lake and a neighbouring snow-fed basin contribute more.

Use the signed day-use lot at Elbow Pass, not the separate equestrian or backpacking lots. A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for a vehicle parked there, and Highway 40 access is seasonal. The lot can fill on busy summer mornings, though parking pressure varies. Dogs are allowed on the route but must stay leashed within 2 m in provincial parks.