Elbow Lake hike

The hike to Elbow Lake is a classic family hike, with great scenery for limited effort. There is also Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground, and for many families this is the first backpacking trip they do as a family.

From the Elbow Pass Parking lot, take the signed path that heads out from the parking lot. You’ll follow this wide path for about 0.6mi. At the 0.6mi mark, you’ll find yourself in a wide-open cirque with views all around you. On your right, you can see a peak from the Mount Rae massif: its shape reminiscent of a breaking wave.

In a few hundred metres you’ll reach Elbow Lake.  With deep emerald and blue tones, this lake is as beautiful as they come. A mountain from the Elpoca massif on the left slides right into the lake.  If you’re camping here, the campsite is to your right.

We like to go around the lake counter-clockwise, as this takes us through the campground, which has a toilet. Follow the path taking you around the other side of the lake. You’ll have to cross over a shallow creek at the tail-end of Elbow Lake. The views as you round the other side of Elbow Lake are even better than the side you hiked out on.

Finish circumnavigating Elbow Lake. You’ll return to your car on the same wide path that took you up to Elbow Lake in the first place.