Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail – Hiking Alberta

The Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Interpretive Trail, on a high, rocky point between Lower and Upper Kananaskis Lakes in Kananaskis Country, is a short, well constructed trail  to commemorate the expedition which put the first Canadian on the summit of Mount Everest in October of 1982.

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The interpretive component of this short, 2.4 KM ( 1.5 mile) trail, with an elevation gain of 122 m (400 ft), has little to do with the 1982 Everest Expedition but provides a brief explanation of the formation of continents and mountains and summary highlights of human habitation and development in the Kananaskis area.  I have included a few photos of interpretive plaques, encountered on the path, to show what you can expect.

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At the beginning of the excellent quality trail, elevation gain is gentle and periodically an interpretive sign offers up information about how the mountains were formed.  There are benches, placed intermittently, for those whose might enjoy a breather before continuing.

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The trail is well constructed and maintained.  As elevation gain begins to increase, switchbacks and stairs on steep components are formed up with sturdy log barriers and steps.  Interpretive signs provide overview information about human occupation and development in the Kananaskis region.

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The majority of the elevation gain is achieved on the final, short distance to the overlook above, and between, Lower Kananaskis Lake and Upper Kananaskis Lake.

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The final short distance to the viewing platform is on rustic, rocky trail.  The vistas from the viewing platform over the lakes is breathtaking but beginning to be compromised by tall trees.  Like the viewpoint on the Kananaskis Trail over to Nakiska, the experience would benefit from some simple landscaping and pruning, periodically.  Such is the nature of viewpoints, and healthy, growing trees.  Interpretive plaques, at and near the viewpoint, provide interesting and historical information about magnificent, surrounding mountains with spectacular waterfalls plummeting from glaciers, and giant fields of snow, into white water above the still surface of the lake.

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Lower Kananaskis Lake from the top of the viewpoint on the Canadian Everest Expedition Interpretive Trail in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada

Spectacular waterfalls plunge hundreds of metres from tall mountains creating white water rapids through forest, culminating as a dramatic roaring entrance into the lake.

The best views over Upper Kananaskis Lake occur in open areas on the retreat from the viewpoint as the trail makes a more gentle descent via a loop back to the main trail.

This short and beautiful trail, primarily through aromatic forest, is worthy of consideration as a short project for a morning or afternoon.  Some of the tall risers on log stair steps may be challenging for very young, short legs or for the elderly.  I enjoyed this trail as a conclusion to hiking around the circumference of Upper Kananaskis Lake.