June 30: The snowpack in Kananaskis is well above average for this time of year, due to low snow melt in April and May. Snow melt is currently 4 weeks behind, so what you may have been able to access safely in previous years could still be dangerous this year. Much of the terrain including popular hikes and scrambles in Kananaskis is still prone to avalanches. Visit https://www.avalanche.ca/spring-conditions and https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/kananaskis for more information and consider the precautions listed below.
June 30th: Snowpack melt in the Kananaskis is approximately four weeks behind typical melt this year. It may be summer, but snowy trail conditions and avalanches continue to be present. Many of the backcountry locations cross and/or travel through avalanche terrain. Trails at lower elevations are mainly snow-free but wet and muddy in places; trails at higher elevations will still be mainly snow covered, deep in places, with some bare areas. Many trees came down on the trails due to the recent wet snow - these have been removed from most facility area trails and removal will continue over the coming days and weeks, getting to high elevation trails as the snowpack dwindles.
Though the Highwood Pass (HWY 40) is re-opened, most of the trails in the Highwood area are not ready for hiking. There is still over 70 cm of snow at the Pass and even more more at higher elevations. Use caution and prepare for avalanche terrain. Take note of closures.
Closures:
Notes:
Warnings:
Snow Depths:
June 30, 2022:
Snow depths are most up-to-date on https://www.avalanche.ca/
| Trail Name | Permitted Activities (Legend) | Status | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Interpretive
|
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Bill Benson
|
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Black Prince Cirque Interpretive
June 23: Muddy, mostly clear of snow. Note: The Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge is NOT accessed on this trail. |
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Boulton Creek Interpretive
|
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Burstall Pass
June 16: Deep snow. Note: Bikes permitted on first 2.9 km of trail ONLY. |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking Duane |
|
Chester Lake
Closure: Until further notice to reduce environmental degradation. |
|
Closed | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
Elbow Lake
Closure: For construction until November, 2022 between Elbow Pass Day Use Area and Elbow Lake. |
|
Closed | Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Horseback Riding |
|
Elk Pass
June 21: A Mix of bare, very muddy, wet and snow patches with many downed trees |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
High Rockies
|
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Dog Sledding,Hiking |
|
Highwood Meadows
Closure: To reduce environmental degradation |
|
Closed | Hiking |
|
Kananaskis Canyon Interpretive
Closure: Stream crossings washed away by penstock/dam construction. Trail is impassable and is closed indefinitely. |
|
Closed | Hiking |
|
Lookout
June 24: A mix of bare ground and snow patches, muddy in places. Downed trees removed. |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
Lower Lake
June 29: Snow free. |
|
Open | Hiking Duane |
|
Lower Lake Interpretive
June 29: Snow free. |
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Marl Lake Interpretive
|
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Maude-Lawson
June 22: Mainly snow free to the bottom of the headwall beyond Forks, then patchy snow transitioning to deep snow at higher elevations. Downed trees removed to the bottom of the headwall. Observed only to the headwall. Turbine Canyon Backcountry Campground (June 28): Closed to July 5 (inclusive) due to lingering snow conditions. |
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Peninsula
|
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Peter Lougheed Paved
|
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
Pocaterra
Note: This report is NOT for the Pocaterra Ridge or Cirque trails |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive
Closure: To reduce environmental degradation. |
|
Closed | Hiking |
|
Rawson Lake
June 23rd: Snow covered, deep at higher elevations. Downed trees removed. Note: Going beyond the end of the official trail is not advised due to snow and avalanche terrain around the lake. |
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Rock Glacier Interpretive
|
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Rockwall
|
|
Open | Hiking |
|
Three Isle Lake
June 22nd: Snow free to the bottom of the Three Isle headwall, mainly snow covered beyond. Downed trees removed as far as the bottom of the headwall. Three Isle Lake/Turbine Canyon Backcountry Campground (June 28): Closed to July 5 (inclusive) due to lingering snow conditions. Forks Backcountry Campground (June 23): Closed for 2022 due to construction. Note: Bikes only permitted to Invincible Creek, 3.8 km from trailhead |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
Upper Lake
June 16: Downed trees removed between North Interlakes and Upper Lake Day Use Areas. Trail is snow covered with large patches of deeper snow between Rawson Lake trail intersection and Point Campground. Aster Lake Backcountry Campground (June 28): Closed to July 5 (inclusive) due to lingering snow conditions. |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
Whiskey Jack
June 15: Mainly bare and very muddy in places with snow patches at higher elevations. Downed trees removed. |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking |
|
William Watson Lodge Access
|
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
