With conflicting information on conditions, and warm temperatures, our destination changed after we arrived in Peter Lougheed Park.

Jennifer had originally called the trip for Rawson Lake, but changed it to Marl Lake after warnings from staff at the Barrier Info Centre on Friday. However, when we stopped at the Pocaterra Visitor Centre, a more senior person there indicated, as we had thought, that there was no avalanche hazard going to Rawson Lake as long as we didn’t go past the near end of the lake.

As it was warm with wet snow at the Pocaterra Visitor Centre, and a fairly strong wind was blowing, our group decided to go to Rawson Lake where the shade and shelter of the trees would result in better snow conditions and protection from the wind than the Marl Lake route. This proved to be a good decision. The conditions were very good on the trail to Rawson. Several other Ramblers also figured that this was a good destination, and had gone in private groups, helping to create a well-trodden trail for us.

View from Upper Kananaskis Lake trail

Rawson Lake

Trudy, Ana, Barb, Jennifer

We enjoyed an early lunch by the lake, then returned to the parking lot for another snack break, then decided to cross the dam and go to the viewpoint on the nearby Canadian Expedition Loop trail. We had a nice off-trail trip there, with great views. The wind was very strong on our return across the dam, so we were glad that we hadn’t been in the open most of the day.


Crossing Dam towards Cdn Everest Expedition Trail

Jennifer, Ana & Trudy at Expedition Lookout

We had mostly sunny conditions, with temperatures between 4 and 9 degrees. Thanks to Jennifer for coordinating this trip from Trudy, J. and Barb (p,s).