Chester Lake and Elephant Rocks (10/20/2014)

'This 3.9km point-to-point trail follows a winding logging road and then a pleasant single track, bringing you to a tiny lake beneath an imposing rock face.

From the busy trailhead, follow the wide road, staying left at a junction at km 0.2. As the road climbs, the views to the south open up. You get good views of Mount Burstall and Commonwealth Peak, and even periodic views of the French Glacier. Finally, the trail leaves the wide road and heads left into the woods on a narrower trail. At 2.2km you get your first real views towards the unusual summit of Mount Chester. The towering peak has layers tilted almost straight up, making it somewhat resemble Mount Rundle in Banff National Park. After climbing past some wooden cribwork placed to help reduce erosion on the trail, you approach a wide meadow with more great views towards Mount Chester. The elevation is revealed by the presence of alpine larch as you pass a huge snag. Beyond this is a fabulous meadow that in spring explodes in wildflowers, and in fall is rimmed with the golden needles of alpine larches. Across the meadow, Chester Creek drains the meltwater from the lake. '

You reach the lake at km 3.7. Mount Chester towers directly overhead, making it hard to fit the entire scene into a camera frame. From the lake, there are numerous options for off-trail exploration.

Ref: Canmore and Kananaskis Altitude Superguide.

Depending on conditions, we will likely head towards the Elephant Rocks and maybe a little beyond. We will hike at a moderate pace.

Take Hwy 1 west out of town. Go south on Hwy 40 for approx 56km. Turn right onto Smith-Dorrien/Spray Road just before the winter gate. Turn north (right) onto the Smith-Dorrien Trail (gravel road). Park at the Chester Lake trailhead.