The old fireroad follows the Elbow River upstream past Big Elbow Backcountry Campground to Tombstone Backcountry Campground and trail junctions beyond. Cyclists can complete this trek in about 5 hours while hikers often prefer a three day excursion taking in a different campground each night. After 10.6km of steady climbing, you reach the summit in a beautiful alpine meadow. Tombstone Backcountry Campground is an equestrian campground equipped with tent sites, fire pits, hitching rails, pit toilets and secure food storage lockers. It is located approximately 8.3 km from the Little Elbow Campground on the east half of the Elbow Loop. It makes for an excellent afternoon, and if you have a fishing license, the Upper Lake is full of trout! Tent pad dimensions are approximately 2.7 x 2.7 metres. And no cars! There are numerous beautiful hikes you can do from this campground (Elbow Lake, Tombstone Lakes, Piper Pass, Elbow Pass, Rae Lake, might be more) so I'd definitely spend more than one night here. This route is 19.6km long. Start at Forgetmenot Pond, just off of Highway 66, near Bragg Creek. While some people do the Big Elbow Loop with this as the first day, we think that ending with the hike from Tombstone Lakes Backcountry Campground to the trailhead makes more sense, as your pack will be lighter and you go down 400m instead of having that be a 400m ascent. Note: There is the option to backpack over the summit of Mount Cornwall after visiting the lakes and descend South Glasgow Creek to Big Elbow trail. The section of trail between the trailhead and the Big Elbow campground is an easier track, while the next section is mixed terrain that can be steep in sections. Start: Via #45 Little Elbow trail at Mount Romulus backcountry campground. Remember to pack out everything you bring in. Big Elbow PRA -Big Elbow Backcountry Campground - Outhouse & Wall Tent Poles Done Take the trail around the left (west) side of Elbow Lake to avoid meandering through the backcountry campground (Note: backcountry permits must be purchased in advance if you wish to camp at Elbow Lake). Romulus campground is absolutely lovely place to be. There are fire pits (firewood provided), hitching rails, pit/vault toilets, and secure food storage containers. Take your horse for a ride on one of the many equestrian trails in the area; Chariot Hiking on the Big Elbow Trail: Hiking on Powderface Ridge: I'd go there again just to spend a few days in that campground, as there are a few nice day hikes around: Mt Remis, Mt Romulus (which was a bit overgrown) and a couple more. Begin the fun descent starting with a 230m drop in 2.5km. The trail head to access this site is in Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area, 32 km southwest of Bragg Creek on Hwy. The second day has some nice views and is mainly ascending, but it's quite easy as the elevation gain is rather mellow. It is important to note that there is a bridge out before Big Elbow Campground and therefore a river ford is required. It follows Elbow Lake Trail 7.3km to Tombstone Campground and Big Elbow Trail for 12.3km. Elbow Lake, Kananaskis (1.3 km from Elbow Pass day use area) Mt. Go as far as you want and turn around.) This route was inspired by the now out of print guide book by Doug Eastcott: ‘Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies’. Once you reach the lake, Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground is to your right. Big Elbow - This campground is located on the Big Elbow trail 9.2km from the Little Elbow Recreation parking. It’s right at Elbow Lake and has 7 campsites. Your final day will take you back to the trailhead over 20.0km and 184m elevation gain. This scramble is rated as moderate, but know that this route requires a chilly ford across the Little Elbow River The route up Romulus is about, Tombstone Backcountry Campground is an equestrian campground equipped with, There is an excellent and short day-trip from here to the Lower and Upper Tombstone Lakes, which is about, Your final day will take you back to the trailhead over, While some people do the Big Elbow Loop with this as the first day, we think that ending with the hike from Tombstone Lakes Backcountry Campground to the trailhead makes more sense, as your pack will be lighter and you go down. Dispersed/ Backcountry Camping Dispersed/ backcountry camping is allowed on Bighorn Lake below the high water mark of 3640 feet elevation in undeveloped areas. Romulus or Big Elbow Campground, Kananaskis (These campgrounds are on the 43km Elbow Loop that starts from the Little Elbow day use area. Enter a campground, Provincial Park, city or town, and we'll make suggestions on where you can go camping. There is an excellent and short day-trip from here to the Lower and Upper Tombstone Lakes, which is about 4.0km return. Location: Elbow Loop Trail in Kananaskis Country 61kms west of Calgary.Accessible only by a 16km hike, bike or horse.Kananaskis Country Alberta. It felt more like a nice cruising in the beautiful expansive meadows, than challenging hike over the passes and rough terrain. The route is very clear as you follow the Elbow River North. The campground at Romulus marks the start of the big climb. If you have time today, consider the scramble up Mount Romulus. The Big Elbow backpack offers scenic campsites next to the Elbow River with wonderful scrambling opportunities near each site. This trail is part of loop starting at Little Elbow Trailhead going (clockwise) to Big Elbow, Tombstone, Mount Romulus.The Elbow Loop route typically starts on Little Elbow, proceeding counter clockwise to Big Elbow. I booked a campsite for the family in the Little Elbow Campground (our starting point), and secured a backcountry permit online for a one-night stay at Mount Romulus. Petain Basin, just past Elk Lakes, is a wonderfully remote and isolated meadow lying at the base of some of…, Rae Lake is often completed as a day-hike, however it is a great place for a quick backpacking trip. Difficulty: Fairly strenuous trail with a few steep sections. It then continues up a south fork, and crosses Tombstone Pass into the Elbow River Valley, where it intersects Big Elbow trail. This equestrian back country campground is found in Big Elbow Provincial Recreation Area. ** It is important to note that this section of the trail is being upgraded and under construction, which means you will likely encounter large machinery. In 600 metres, cross a small bridge over the outlet of Elbow Lake. Big Elbow Trail is a scenic, easy hike that leads to a backcountry campground. Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email. Go straight (north) on Big Elbow Trail for 2.4 km. Views of Threepoint and Cougar Mountains, Mounts Glasgow and Cornwall, and Yukon backcountry campgrounds, facilities, location, registration and how to access. There are toilets, picnic tables, firepits, and it costs only $12 a night. Looking out along the Little Elbow River from the Mount Romulus Backcountry Campground. PRIMARY ROUTE: 20.4km via Big Elbow Trail from Little Elbow Trailhead Parking (400m elevation); SECONDARY ROUTE: 7.3km via Elbow Lake Trail/Big Elbow Trail from Elbow Pass Day Use (125m elevation) Campground Info This is an easy trip that takes you into country between Highway 66 and Highway 40. We maintain 10 backcountry campgrounds, 2 day-use backcountry recreation areas and one cabin accomodation. This is the east half of the well-known Elbow Loop. The old fireroad follows the Elbow River upstream past Big Elbow backcountry campground to Tombstone backcountry campground and trail junctions … The last day was my favorite one! Little Elbow Campground is a business providing services in the field of Campground, Lodging, Park, . Such a nice change! Lying…, Resting at the base of jagged Tombstone Mountain, the Tombstone Lakes are a spectacular sight, and the journey to them…, Today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. (20.0km / 184m). … Park at Forget Me Not Pond or the Little Elbow Campground. big eLbow 26.5 km one way 350 m/1,150 ft Little Elbow Recreation Area This is the east half of the well-known Elbow Loop. Drive to the end of Highway 66 (about 40 minutes from Calgary). We didn’t rush, and we didn’t plan on staying overnight. Big Elbow Provincial REC AREA. and the route was rather boring, but the Mt. You are required to have a permit and a reservation for this campground. The first campground on the Elbow Loop, perfect as an out-and-back for families. The Little Elbow fire road/trail leaves Tombstone over Tombstone Pass, while the Big Elbow trail keeps heading down the Big Elbow. You need a permit to stay at this campground. I loved every part of it. No spam. This day is rather challenging, but the only challenge here is the length, not the terrain. We love backpacking the Big Elbow Loop, and itâs a great route without too much elevation gain. It is 1.3 km from the trailhead via Elbow Lake Trail. This trail is 8.3km one way with 811 meters of elevation gain and is rated moderate.Â. This equestrian back country campground is found in Big Elbow Provincial Recreation Area. Copyright © 2020 10Adventures Inc. All rights reserved. Where: Sheep River Valley Area, Kananaskis Country. While this is a lovely walk in the woods, there are truly amazing views along this section of the trail. The Campground. This section gains a bit more elevation than the first day. Tombstome Campground is situated on the Big Elbow Loop hence there are a number of trails that lead to and meet in the area of the campground. You also drop 400m at the end of this route. The Big Elbow Loop trip is a classic Kananaskis backpacking trip. If you have time today, consider the scramble up Mount Romulus. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and mountain biking and is best used from June until October. Some dispersed camping sites might not be avalable during high lake eleveation levels. The Tombstone Campground felt like a crossroad where many hikers meet heading to different directions. Bike or hike on the Big Elbow Trail (good for Chariot hiking towards the Big Elbow Backcountry Campground. It can also be accessed via Elbow Pass. 1 on Hwy. If youâre looking to progress from a single overnight trip to a couple of nights, then this is a great option. On July 29, we made a bikepacking trial run in the Kananaskis backcountry. Mount Romulus is a 19.5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Kananaskis Improvement, Alberta, Canada that features a lake and is rated as difficult. This is an easy day even with a heavier pack. 66 (closed Dec. - May). Make your reservations beforehand on the AlbertaParks website. Overall, a lovely backpack. After descending in waves past Banded Peak and the entrance to Cougar Creek, it reaches Big Elbow backcountry campground (seldom used) and a vast flat between the Forgetmenot foursome of peaks and Forgetmenot Ridge. The business is located in AB-66, Bragg Creek, AB T0L … This was just a trial run: load up the bikes with bikepacking gear and find our way to a campground. The closest access is at Elbow Pass Day Use Area. Alberta Parks has uploaded 6351 photos to Flickr. Beautiful scenery, a pretty decent fire road to ride on. Campground Description: Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, 75 km south of Hwy. You are also only 7.5km from the Elbow Lake Trailhead on Highway 40. If deregulated, Big Elbow PRA’s backcountry campground would remain open, and be integrated and managed as part of Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park. The trail follows an access road with very gradual elevation change, making it a family-friendly outing that’s shoulder season-friendly. Option 1: Big Elbow Backcountry Campground. Day 1: Trailhead to Romulus Backcountry Campground (12.4km / 252m), Day 2: Romulus Backcountry Campground to Tombstone Backcountry Campground (10.0km / 442m), Day 3: Tombstone Backcountry Campground to Trailhead. Before you know it, you reach Mount Romulus Backcountry Campground. The trail is a steady uphill for most of the way, on a very clear route. 40. The views of Threepoint Mountain and Banded Peak are fantastic. There are views of Threepoint and Cougar Mountains, Mounts Glasgow and Cornwall, and Banded Peak. The shortest access to Tombstone Campground and the picturesque lakes just beyond is starting from the Highwood pass area at the Elbow Lake trail. Today you are making your way to Tombstone Backcountry Campground, which is located at the intersection of Little Elbow and Big Elbow trail, about 10 km from the Romulus campground. Other than that, this is a pretty nice hike out to end a great trip! Little Elbow Campground – Kananaskis Country At about 5,500 feet above sea level snow still surrounds Little Elbow Campground even in early June. Did this backpack just a week ago! Near the bottom of the hill, take a left turn onto the Big Elbow trail. This scramble is rated as moderate, but know that this route requires a chilly ford across the Little Elbow River The route up Romulus is about 5.4km each way, and youâll gain 1080m on the way up! 66 (closed Dec. - May). Become a Contributor at 10Adventures and share your adventures! The trails known collectively as Elbow Loop is a 41 km loop that combines the Little Elbow and Big Elbow Trails and passes by three popular campgrounds, Romulus, Tombstone and Big Elbow. The most important thing here was not to forget to look back while walking along the Big Elbow, as the most beautiful views were right behind us. It was a 20-km in-and-out along the Big Elbow Trail between Little Elbow and Big Elbow campgrounds. Other than that, this is a pretty nice hike out to end a great trip! Trailhead is located at the Harold Chapman foot bridge near Little Elbow Campground. Fires are allowed below the high water mark (3640 feet). ... Big Elbow Backcountry Big Elbow Provincial Recreation Area. The trail head to access this site is in Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area, 32 km southwest of Bragg Creek on Hwy. There was construction occurring on parts of this trail in 2018. Elbow River Valley Description: Elevation gain to the campground is minimal with a few short ups and downs along the way. This easy though hilly route follows a fire road up the Little Elbow River to the Mount Romulus backcountry campground at the forks. The route is just under 12.0km, and only gains 175m of elevation gain. The old fireroad follows the Elbow River upstream past Big Elbow backcountry campground to Tombstone backcountry campground and trail junctions beyond. The first-day walk is rather short (3 hours I guess?) Look on this trail as an access trail to more interesting hikes into the alpine, such as Talus Lakes and Paradise Pass. Explore Alberta Parks' photos on Flickr. Hugging the eastern slopes of the Rockies, Big Elbow Provincial Recreation Area is your winter camping pick if spotting wildlife is an essential part of your adventures. The trail to Romulus Backcountry Campground is mostly along an old fire road, which makes for a wide and easy pathway. Molly and I at Tombstone Backcountry Campground in August 2020 I loved this backcountry trip. It is not clear whether there will be more construction in 2019. It is important to note that there is a bridge out before Big Elbow Campground and therefore a river ford is required. It is located approximately 8.3 km from the Little Elbow Campground on the east half of the Elbow Loop. This is the first campground you’ll find on the hike. This is a nice campground, with 10 campsites, pit toilets and firepits. I wouldn't do the full loop pulling kids or pushing a Chariot but you could do an overnight trip into either of these campgrounds. Sample Itinerary: Day 1: Trailhead to Romulus Backcountry Campground (12.4 km / 252 m) However, this does not impact the Romulus Campground. This is an extremely popular route for bike-packers so be prepared to encounter many on your trip. Website: Alberta Parks Big Elbow and Little Elbow Note: This is in bear country – bring bear spray and make noise! Those who don't want to walk 20 km in one day can book a night in Big Elbow Campground which is halfway the route. 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