Elk Lakes

BOU AVENUE
Elk Lakes

On 12 January 2019, Zosia Zgolak and I skied to Elk Lakes Cabin in British Columbia's Elk Lakes Provincial Park. A friend of ours had booked the entire cabin, and we would be one of several parties who would spend the night there. That morning, we rendezvoused with Przemek Heske and his young son, Alex, at Elk Pass trailhead in Alberta's Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Przemek brought along a ski chariot to haul gear and perhaps Alex if necessary. As such, they would be moving generally slower, but Zosia and I promised to accompany them all the way to the cabin in case there were any problems. Furthermore, Houmaro Kone and Dorota Sokolowska joined us as well, but they would only be skiing with us as far as Elk Pass. Near the start of the trip, Houmaro, Dorota, Zosia and I zoomed ahead to climb the big hill up to the power line right-of-way. Dorota, Zosia and I then enjoyed a quick run down the hill before coming back up with Przemek and Alex. If there was ever such a thing as yo-yo cross-country skiing, this hill would be the place to do it!

From the power line right-of-way, we all dropped down the steep hill to Fox Creek before settling into a long but generally uneventful climb to Elk Pass. The ski trails were, as usual, quite busy on this day, and although we were moving slowly to accommodate Alex, most people were very considerate and polite while passing us. One annoyed couple, however, could not help making a rather rude remark to us while we were stopped at a congested section of the trail. It is truly sad when people bring their rat race mentality with them into the mountains.

A couple of ladies--Barbara Budenz and Melanie Tessier--who were also joining us at Elk Lakes Cabin caught up to us at Elk Pass. Here, we parted ways with Houmaro and Dorota who would continue skiing the track-set trails before returning home. The rest of us turned south to descend the power line right-of-way, and since Barbara and Melanie were moving a lot quicker, we all agreed that they should go on ahead. Although the power line right-of-way is the easiest route to Elk Lakes Cabin from Elk Pass, it has its share of tricky downhill sections, and Alex, Przemek, Zosia and I took our time descending the skier-tracked trail. Fortunately, we all made it down to the cabin safely, and we spent the next little while warming up and getting settled into our temporary home.

A couple with a young daughter showed up after us, and as they were organizing themselves in the cabin, Zosia and I headed out late in the afternoon to visit both Lower and Upper Elk Lakes. We ended up returning to the cabin after sunset but managed to ski all the way back without having to use our headlamps.

Our evening spent in the cabin was low-key, and we all pretty much retired to the sleeping loft once we cleaned everything up after dinner.

It's tempting to hang on to the back of the chariot! Alex and Przemek start off from Elk Pass trailhead.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

How often do you see black people cross-country skiing? Houmaro and Dorota lead the way up the trail with Alex, Zosia and Przemek not far behind.

Best cross-country skiing downhill run ever right here!
Dorota, Houmaro and Sonny climb the big hill just before the power line right-of-way.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

See you again soon, Houmaro and Dorota! At Elk Pass, Houmaro and Dorota briefly try the trail to Elk Lakes Cabin.

This must be new; I don't think I've ever seen this before! This wooden portal at Elk Pass is the gateway to Elk Valley.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Nice downhill run for AT skis! The usual descent to Elk Lakes Cabin from Elk Pass mostly follows the power line right-of-way.

No fear, Alex! Przemek and Zosia watch as Alex picks up speed on the trail to Elk Lakes Cabin.

Yay, we made it! Barbara greets Zosia in front of Elk Lakes Cabin.

Couch potato! Arriving at Elk Lakes Cabin, Alex is content to relax on the couch and watch the wood stove.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Probably can't see the true summit of Mount Fox from here.

Late in the day, Zosia follows some tracks across Lower Elk Lake. Mount Fox dominates the background while the distinct bump at far right is Taiga Viewpoint.

	Zosia stands near the north end of Lower Elk Lake with Mount Aosta in the background.
	Sonny crosses a potential avalanche slope near the northeast end of Upper Elk Lake. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Beyond Upper Elk Lake, Mount McCuaig and Mount Nivelle are visible at far left while the peak just left of centre is unofficially known as Mount Elkan.

I have never liked the name of Storelk Mountain. It seems like an afterthought tacked on by a lazy cartographer.

The last rays of sunshine for the day illuminate the tops of the Elk Range. The prominent peak left of centre is Storelk Mountain.

	Sonny heads back to the cabin along the northeastern shore of Lower Elk Lake which is starting to get foggy. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Alpenglow lights up the sky above Lower Elk Lake.

The next morning (13 January 2019), we all woke up and departed the cabin at different times. While everyone else would return to Elk Pass trailhead via the power line, Zosia and I decided to try an alternate return via the summer trail that goes by Fox Lake and West Elk Pass. On our excursion to Upper Elk Lake the previous afternoon, Zosia and I had noticed a skier-tracked trail turning off at a signed trail junction, and we were game to follow it presumably all the way back to Elk Pass trail. Slapping on our climbing skins, we initially had no issues following the broken trail which climbs gradually up a forested slope before crossing an avalanche gully. Incidentally, this avalanche gully is, in summer, an alternate descent route for Taiga Viewpoint which is an outlier of Mount Fox.

Beyond the avalanche gully, the broken trail took a turn for the worse, and we ended up in more bushy terrain and climbing some steep slopes that would have been very challenging to descend going the other way. The skiers who had broken the trail we were following likely did not climb far enough up the avalanche gully to pick up the actual summer trail. We faithfully followed their tracks anyway, and despite some questionable route-finding, the tracks ultimately led us to Fox Lake. From there, we followed Elkan Creek out to West Elk Pass where we met a large group of skiers enjoying lunch in the sunshine. We stopped to chat briefly with some of them before moving on to regain Elk Pass trail. The rest of our ski out went without a hitch, and through text messages and e-mails, we were later reassured that everyone else from the cabin had made it home safely.

Brrrr...hopefully we get some sunshine later! A fog hangs over Lower Elk Lake in the morning. Mount Elkan is reflected in the water.

Goodbye Lower Elk Lake! Once again, Zosia stands near the north end of Lower Elk Lake with Mount Aosta in the background.

So thankful to have climbing skins for my light touring gear! Zosia follows a broken trail up a forested slope.

Another bad place to linger...
Coming from Elk Lakes, the summer trail climbs a bit up this avalanche gully before cutting to the right below the cliffs in the background.

We're definitely not on the summer trail anymore! Sonny continues following the broken trail over some rough terrain.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Back on track! Zosia skis across a glade not far from Fox Lake.

Years ago, I had a close encounter with a grizzly sow and two cubs here! Zosia stands in front of Fox Lake and Mount Fox.

Welcome back to Alberta...well, almost! Zosia arrives at West Elk Pass.

Easy street. Zosia returns to the trailhead along Elk Pass trail.

A surprisingly nice ski tour! Total Distance: ~20.4 kilometres (plus ~4.4 kilometres return to Upper Elk Lake from Cabin)
Round-Trip Time: 27 hours 32 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain: ~567 metres
GPX Data

	Alex and Przemek start off from Elk Pass trailhead. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Houmaro and Dorota lead the way up the trail with Alex, Zosia and Przemek not far behind.
	Dorota, Houmaro and Sonny climb the big hill just before the power line right-of-way. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	At Elk Pass, Houmaro and Dorota briefly try the trail to Elk Lakes Cabin.
	This wooden portal at Elk Pass is the gateway to Elk Valley. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The usual descent to Elk Lakes Cabin from Elk Pass mostly follows the power line right-of-way.
	Przemek and Zosia watch as Alex picks up speed on the trail to Elk Lakes Cabin.
	Barbara greets Zosia in front of Elk Lakes Cabin.
	Arriving at Elk Lakes Cabin, Alex is content to relax on the couch and watch the wood stove. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

	A fog hangs over Lower Elk Lake in the morning. Mount Elkan is reflected in the water.
	Once again, Zosia stands near the north end of Lower Elk Lake with Mount Aosta in the background.
	Zosia follows a broken trail up a forested slope.
	Coming from Elk Lakes, the summer trail climbs a bit up this avalanche gully before cutting to the right below the cliffs in the background.
	Sonny continues following the broken trail over some rough terrain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia skis across a glade not far from Fox Lake.
	Zosia stands in front of Fox Lake and Mount Fox.
	Zosia arrives at West Elk Pass.
	Zosia returns to the trailhead along Elk Pass trail.
	Total Distance: ~20.4 kilometres (plus ~4.4 kilometres return to Upper Elk Lake from Cabin) Round-Trip Time: 27 hours 32 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: ~567 metres GPX Data