Last week a group of 7 of us completed the Elk Highline, an exciting and challenging hike that closely follows the Elk Range section of the Continental Divide. This is the section just south of the Highwood Pass in the most southern part of Kananaskis Country.There were 4 Yam clients plus myself, Maria Cashin and Alf Skrastins, effectively 3 guides, all of us fascinated with what the route might bring and looking forward to the adventure.
It turned out to be every bit as good as we expected with the new portion north of Loomis Lake (we had checked out the southern section 2 years ago) even better than expected. Every night we camped at a different lake, starting with Carnarvon Lake in the south and finishing at Running Rain Lake in the north with Lake of the Horns and Loomis in between.
Linking the lakes we followed mostly game trails at or near treeline that took us across the ridges that radiate from the Divide, to spice it up there was also a peak ascent, a scree slog and some bush bashing. The views were fantastic and there was very little sign of the trails being used by other hikers for the most part.
Several of us are enthusiastic fly fisherman and great fishing in the lakes each evening were a nice bonus.
This was a unique trip that was at times very strenuous and challenging. For folks that are in great shape and like being well off the beaten trail it’s a great opportunity. I’d encourage anyone interested in joining us on this or a similar trip next year to get in contact with us immediately so that we can gauge whether or not the interest is there to include it again.
For the full trip slideshow visit David’s album on Picasa.
David Begg
