Aster Lake

It is probably easiest to park at the Upper Lake parking lot and hike for 5.2km along the south edge of Kananaskis Lake. This portion is very well travelled and you will run into lots of other hikers. You then turn off the main trail towards Hidden Lake and the trail will get much quieter. Hidden Lake is sometimes empty later in the year. As you start climbing up the rock slope, you will start to get good views back at the lakes and ahead of you towards waterfalls. These views are welcome excuses to take a break from the elevation gain. Once you get up the scree slope you hike through some interesting terrain. It is rocky with lots of trees still, but the trees start to thin out. Look for fossils in the rock here - they are really cool! You are not allowed to take any, but take photos and enjoy!

As you get close to the campground the trees thin out. There are a few in the campsite itself, which offer good shelter from winds. The campground is beautiful, but could be crowded when full. I went very late in the year and had it to myself! There are bear lockers to use so you don't have to hang your food.

From the lake, you could spend days exploring the nearby meadows, slopes, and peaks. You can also continue beyond the lake, up the ridge to the north (Northover ridge), and circle around Mt. Lyautey back to the west end of Upper Kananaskis Lake for a hard but amazing backpacking loop.

Camping permits must be purchased at park headquarters in Kananaskis Village.