Sarrail Ridge via Rawson Lake

Distance: 8.7km (Out and back) to Rawson Lake, and 11.2 km (Out and back) to the ridge

Elevation Gain: 630m to Rawson Lake, and 1066m to the ridge

Rating: To Rawson Lake: Easy, To Sarrail Ridge: difficult

Remoteness: This is a popular hike, you will definitely see other people.

If you’re as obsessed with mountain lakes as we are, Sarrail Ridge is the perfect hike for you. This trail is 11.2km out and back with 1066m of elevation. This trail starts out walking alongside the picturesque Upper Kananaskis Lake. From here, you begin the just over 4km and 630m ascent to Rawson Lake. This ascent is doable for all hiking levels, as the steepness is minimal. This is a popular hike, so this part of the trail can be quite crowded.

For anyone who isn’t a big fan of steep trails or heights, Rawson Lake is a wonderful place to stop and turn around. The Lake is surrounded by trees, and offers plenty of places to find seclusion for lunch and a beer. On a calm day, the water reflects the surrounding mountains, making this an extremely photogenic spot. There is also a path that surrounds the lake, so you can see it from any angle.

The backside of Rawson Lake is where the trail to Sarrail Ridge, and the real fun, begins. This path is steep and can be slippery, especially if there is still snow on the ground. We wouldn’t recommend doing this hike before July, as this trail has snow on it until later in the season. Early season snow can make it difficult and sketchy to reach the summit. The steepest section of the path offers a rope for assistance, but there are plenty of trees and bushes to hold on to to assist you on the way up. As far as scrambles go, the exposure of this path is minimal, and there are plenty of places to take breaks. This is a great hike to gain confidence with “scrambling”.

The summit of this trail gives you a bird’s eye view of Upper Kananaskis Lake on one side, and Rawson Lake on the other. It is windy up there, but there are lots of places to seek cover and enjoy the views (and a well-deserved beverage). We know many people who say this is their favorite view!