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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3795 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 1:47 PM
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do BC Provincial Parks in general not take reservations? I know you can reserve sites at Mount Robson, but Top of the World doesn't take them, and I'm looking at Elk Lakes information and similarly can't find any info.
Their website doesn't mention anything about reservations, which I am taking to assume that they can't be made? Do they just have an overflow area where unlimited numbers can camp? Or is reservation information somewhere else entirely? I found a link to somewhere you can pay in advance, but it carefully mentioned that it isn't a reservation.
So I'm curious as to whether it is possible to make reservations for Elk Lakes, and whether there is a standard for BC Parks that I should assume for future reference. (Bugaboo reservations?)
Thanks for assistance! |
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 2:04 PM
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| Some are first come first serve. Only the most popular and accessible ones take reservations. |
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32 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 2:32 PM
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I went for a walk around both the lakes June 30th and the campsites near the lower elk lake only had a few people. My guess as its not a super popular site because its a 1+ hr drive on a rough FSR coming from the Elkford side, and from what I understand its a couple hour hike in from the Kananaskis side.
Amazing spot though, beautiful lakes, looks like some good hiking in the area.
Petain Creek trail was flooded at the southern side of the upper elk lake when I was there just to let you know (but it may have dried up by now).
Also, my brother and I met with a Mother Griz and her cub right at the southern trail head on our way to the lakes, luckly we where by the truck and got in.
Sorry that I don't have any information directly related to your orginal question, but just giving you the info I have from my visit there recently.
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Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 4:27 PM
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| The only ones I know you reserve for are road side ones. You certainly don't reserve Elk or Top of the World, or Bugaboo. Although you can, of course, through the ACC reserve the cabins at Elk or Bugaboo. I've never seen it crowded at Elk, or Top of the World, although the cabin at Top of the World attracts the usual yahoo party animals. I'd camp if I were you. |
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2009 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2012 : 7:02 PM
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Just came out of Elk Lakes today. Rachelo, I don't think you can reserve any of the campsites but the random camping/backcountry option is wide open to you in Elk Lakes Park.
Just a heads up folks, we had a fairly scary creek crossing going in to Petain campground yesterday and we wandered out into the Upper Lake today on the way out as the water was about a foot higher(above my waist) at the regular trail crossing. There is about 3/4 of the Upper Lake shore line trail is under water and the mossies are getting to the nasty point,lol.
If you are planning to go, wait a few weeks till the water levels drop. |
Edited by - darrenbell on 07/21/2012 7:03 PM |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
253 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2012 : 3:57 PM
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You definitely cannot reserve at Elk Lakes. I went two years ago on the August long weekend and it wasn't full, do I assume that it doesn't get that busy.
We thought the Lower Elk Lake campground was much nicer than Upper Elk, but its a weird campground in that there are built up tent pads and some benches and metal campfire rings... but they're all very close together. Each set of two tent pads basically shares a fire pit and benches between the tent pads. I think there were maybe four or five sets of two tent sites in the campground.
There's a little self-registration box where you put in your $10 or whatever it is. I guess if the campground is full, you just pitch your tent wherever. I always found that part a bit confusing. |
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Bunraby, BC
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2012 : 7:31 PM
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Elk Lakes is pretty wonderful. Good grizzly action in there as well - if you like that sort of thing ;). The trail up to Petain basin is so weird. Even at the height of summer the trail is so darn close to the water. My spouse and I want to go there again, but the road in from Elkford is brutal. We were wondering if it is easier - for those of us that dont own a 4wd - to go in through peter lougheed and hike in.
The cabin isn't too bad compared to some other ones. The one at Top of the World can get pretty rambunctious. As well, mice are a constant problem - in the winter and summer - because all the yahoos leave their food - crackers, etc - in the damn cabin instead of packing it out. I've tried packing out some the stuff but its so much that it hardly made a dent. it's gotten even worse since no-one stays at the ranger cabin anymore.
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2009 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2012 : 8:40 PM
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JJ, the hike in from Peter L. is way easy and more fun if you use a bike!
We did a quick hike from Petain Campground to the falls on Saturday morning and there was some heavy grizzly cultivating of the soil in a meadow just before the falls.I think it was very fresh as we had rain most of the night and the soil was still granular in texture. |
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Bunraby, BC
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 10:07 AM
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Yeah DB, that's where I have seen grizzlies is right near the falls just before you start your ascent up to Petain basin. Both times i've been there i've seen a momma and her cubs. Wasn't too thrilled, but also was if you know what I mean.
Anyways, we were far enough away that both times we could continue up to the basin without incident.
Have you been up to coral pass by any chance DB?
Thanks for the heads up about PL.
That Elkford road is getting worse by the year. I think heading in from PL might be the best option for our car. |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
253 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 12:04 PM
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It's not a very long or difficult hike from Kananaskis over Elk Pass, and very nice. Take a jaunt up to Fox Lake and Frozen Lake (both near the AB/BC boundary) if you have a chance too.
Just before Petain Falls I also saw huge mounds of earth dug up by a bear, but we didn't see it when we went by. |
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BC Provincial Parks (Elk Lakes)
