Hike the Aster Lake Trail in Kananaskis Provincial Park

A long day hike or perfect backpack trip, this alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, starts out relatively easy from the upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot, at the far end of the south side of the lake, with a short tour around the east side of Hidden Lake, you start, what at some points will seem like an endless climb. As the sweat drops clear, you are constantly rewarded with some of the coolest scenery in the Canadian Rockies, from massive Fossil Falls, to views back across upper Kananaskis Lake, peaks jutting above you, nature amazes in all directions, given the steep cliffs and scree though, don’t gaze too long as this is a trail you need to keep your eyes on.

Reaching the alpine meadow and outlet of the lake provides more waterfall time and the perfect picnic spot or that coveted cool dip. Scrambling beckons with access to the ridge via the Northover Traverse trail or venture up the valley for views of one of the highest peaks in the Southern Canadian Rockies, Mt Joffre.