"A drive along Highway 4 ..." a Kananaskis Lakes Travel Page by dabidc

In the general area of Barrier lake has several other hikes and places to visit.

The Colonel's cabin is just across highway 40 and is a building left from the time when the area was a Prisoner of War camp. The site is also occupied now by the University of Calgary as a Research Station.

While across the highway there is also the start of a hike to Mount Baldy. The bare top of the mountain is visible to the south east of the lake.

There are other trails that start from the west side of the dam, these head north, Stoney trail is one and eventually the Rafter Six guest Ranch can be reached. It is located near the Trans Canada Highway. Some of these trails are joint Equestrian/bike /hike ones.

The area near Rafter Six is also home to he YMCA Camp Chief Hector and there is a Jamboree Centre for the Scouting organization. It hosted a World Jamboree several years ago.

One of the advantages the river offers at this point is that there is a 4 km long trail that is close to the river and winds in among the trees at each end of the trail.

Access is from the Visitor Cnetre at Barrier lake.

The activities described are within 10 km of the main Trans Canada Highway,just to the north.

A little further south on Highway 40, there are two small lakes or ponds, which on a calm day reflect both the mountains that encircle the ponds as well as reflecting the trees and shrubs that in changing colours in the fall, add to the majesty of the location.

Photos in this Travelogue section date from 2003 to 2006.

Drive to the parking area at Mid Lakes , that is between the Uper and Lower Kananaskis lake in Loughheed provincial Park, step out a few metres and look around you at the Upper Lake, be prepared for almost pristine natural beauty.

I say almost, for the two lakes are man made and in the 70 years since the dams were built nature has covered some of the worst of the scars.

There are paths to explore the lake shores and enjoy some wonderful mountain and lake views. Enjoy the peace and tranquility.

Put on your hiking boots and take a group of friends to climb a little way up the side on Mt Indefatigable, the one in the photo. No you do not have to go to the top, just abover thetree line to enjoy a panoramic view across the 2 lakes.

One lake in front of you to the south, the other to your left. Further left is a wall of grey, where little vegetation can grow, due east is the Opal range, to the south east is the Elk range, with Highway 40 snaking thru the Little Highwood pass, between the two ranges.

A resting place and a chance to view the peaks around the Pass.

Here you will find hikers, climbers and those who just stopped by for the views. On occasion you will pass several athletes from the Canmore Nordic Centre, who use the steep roads to keep in shape for the winter Nordic skiing. They use skis with small wheels and pole themselves along the shoulders of the road.

the road is closed from Dec 1st to June 15th, snow can come early at this elevation above 2300 m.

Fall can come early at this altitude, this visit on September 8th,2006 shows the ground cover has already changed from green to brown/red.

The Elk range to the west stradles the British Columbia and Alberta border.

At this south end of Highway 40 there is a major exit/entrance road that connects with Highway 22 at Longview and further east at High River on Highway 2 in Alberta.