Chester Lake & Elephant Rocks (Easy-moderate hike)

This is a moderately strenuous walk, first up logging roads, then through the forest and meadows to a mountain lake in the larches. The final meadow offers spectacular views of Fortress Mountain, Mount Chester and Mount Galatea.

Total round trip: ~11km (return)

Elevation gain: ~340 metres

Location: The trailhead is well marked, on the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road, about 20km north of the junction of the Kananaskis Lakes Road in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

Average time: 3 hours

What to bring (usual hiking equipment):

• Comfy supportive backpack to hold this stuff (no sherpas or pack mules)

• Minimum 1.5-2 liters of water.

• Packed lunch and snacks

• Hiking shoes/boots

• Sun protection (hat/sunscreen/sunglasses)

• Rain jacket/windbreaker (it's the mountain, you never know!)

• Clothes suitable for hiking (work out clothes, avoid cotton and jeans)

• Gas money ($10-$20)

Recommended:

• Hiking poles

• Dry fit type clothes (synthetic clothes for layers)

• Camera

• Change of clothes (including shoes/sandals) for the ride back

• Victory snack/drink

• Garbage bag in case your things are muddy (courtesy for drivers)

Transport

Drivers: Thank you for offering to drive and provide rides for others. Please comment on the board and indicate how many people you're willing to offer rides to.

Passengers: Please email the drivers directly and request a ride. Simply RSVPing to this event does not guarantee you a spot in the car. It's your responsibility to arrange a ride with a driver.

N.B.: If you have a no show recorded against you, i.e., you have cancelled after the RSVP deadline on a previous occasion, you will be kept on the waiting list till the RSVP deadline. Then, if there is a spot available and there are no other people on the waiting list, you will be welcome to join the event. As well, please refrain from requesting or offering rides until your place is confirmed.

Everyone is responsible for their own safety and bringing the equipment.