The Lillian Lake hike in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country was a visual and surprisingly, an auditory treat when we first did it. It seems that Lillian Lake under the perfect storm of circumstances is really a singing lake. (Keep reading to find out why …)
The Lillian Lake hike is primarily in the trees – with the really good views starting on the way up to the Galatea Lakes. But it’s still a very pleasant outing and a means to an end if you want to hike to Guinn Pass and the Ribbon Lake backcountry campground.
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Lillian Lake hike in Alberta summary
Distance return: 12.6 km or 7.8 miles
Elevation gain: 492 m or 1,514 feet
Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate depending on your fitness level
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
Time needed: 4 – 5 hours
Map:Gem Trek Canmore and Kananaskis Village
Important: The Galatea Day Use Area – the trailhead used for the Lillian Lake hike is closed from early May until late June every year.
Backcountry campground: Yes at Lillian Lake. Read below for more information.
Permit: You will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to do the Lillian Lake hike.
Bears: Don’t forget a can of easy to access bear spray. I recommend keeping it in abear spray holster so you don’t set it off accidentally.
Trail conditions: Check trail reports before you go as trails can be closed unexpectedly for bears in particular.
Weather: Check the weather forecast before you go.
Lillian Lake hike – trailhead location
Lillian Lake is a very popular day hike in the Kananaskis area of the Rocky Mountains. The trailhead is only about 70-75 minutes from Calgary.
The trailhead is just off Highway 40, about 33 km south of the Trans-Canada Highway and about 5 minutes on the road up from Mount Kidd RV Park. It’s on the west side of the highway and is signed for Galatea Lakes.
Lillian Lake hike description
The hike to Lillian Lake begins with a short descent down to and over the Kananaskis River on a well-built suspension bridge. Once you’ve across the bridge turn left and follow Galatea Creek, basically all the way to Lillian Lake – a distance of 6.3 km with an elevation gain of 492 m (1,614 feet).
Along the way there are numerous small bridges to cross – all rock solid, as well as many avalanche path to cross. That’s why the Lillian Lake hike is not recommended for winter touring.
Near the halfway point on the Lillian Lake hike, head up towards open areas with excellent views of the mountains both nearby and in the distance.
The final half hour up to the lake isn’t that interesting nut the first glimpse of Lillian Lake makes the uphill worthwhile. Once you catch sight of Lillian Lake, walk around the lake on a flat trail to reach the turnoff to Galatea Lakes and the backcountry campground.
By mid-October the crowds have disappeared. We saw only seven other people – perhaps because it was -8°C which is not big deal if you’re moving.
Expect snow on the ground if you do the Lillian Lake hike in October
The ice was just starting to form at lower elevations on the stream in early October. By the time we had done two thirds of the Lillian Lake hike, there was snow on the ground. Some was so hard packed that it was icy and a pair oficers or microspikeswould have come in handy. I won’t venture again this fall into the backcountry without a pair.
There are lots of pretty vistas and sights along the way – beautiful yellow-leafed poplars with snow- covered mountains in the distance, rushing streams with fantastic shaped icicles, the last of the elderberries which are much loved by the bears and one three-toed woodpecker.
Trees with unusual bark and juniper bushes loaded with berries were also to be seen. All in all, late fall is a beautiful time to hike the Lillian Lake trail.
Camping at Lillian Lake
At the far end of Lillian Lake there’s a campsite – and a backcountry permit is required. It can be purchased within a 90 day window of your visit.
There was plenty of snow around when we did the Lillian Lake hike, but that didn’t deter the Outdoors Club from the Cochrane High School. A few teachers and about 15 kids spent the night out here. The ice was surprisingly thick close to shore though our dog wasn’t so keen on it. Dogs are allowed on this hike though they must be kept on a leash.
Lillian Lake is very pretty though Galatea Lakes, which are just a bit higher, are even prettier.
Guinn Pass is also accessible from the Lillian Lake Trail with the turnoff near the campground – something that changed after the 2013 floods.
If you continue past Lillian Lake in the fall be sure to also include apair of gaiters.
Did you know Lillian Lake can sing?
Let me explain about the Lillian Lake singing. We arrived at Lillian Lake about noon on an October day. The sun was shining but it was still freezing outside – probably about -5°C and Lillian Lake was covered in about two inches of ice.
Initially all was quiet but as we got about halfway around the lake, there was what sounded like the echo of kids hollering. And since there was a big group camped at the far end of the lake, this initially made sense.
But when we stopped to intently listen, the sound seemed to echo off the far side of the lake. It transfixed us. We literally couldn’t believe our ears.
For the next 20 – 25 minutes we listened to Lillian Lake singing. Sometime it was musical, other-times highly discordant – akin to a ricocheting bullfrog sound if you could imagine that. And then it abruptly stopped.
My husband figures it was the perfect storm of sun heating the ice-covered lake with the energy being released as sound. It didn’t hurt that the setting was a bit like an amphitheatre with a huge rock wall to bounce back the sound.
This was truly a once in a lifetime and a very unique experience. And perhaps that’s why some lakes are called Singing Lake.
A few things you might like on the hike
If you’re navigation skills aren’t up to snuff – or if you want a way to get in touch with friends or family in the event of an emergency, purchase aGarmin InReach Mini. Of course you can take it on the Lillian Lake hike but also on some of the harder hikes you might do.
You might find a pair oflightweight, collapsible hiking polesare helpful.
You’re going to need energy on this hike. Someprotein barsare always a good idea – but if you want a treat, how aboutsome chocolate. I love the Whittaker’s brand, especially their peanut slab.
Where to stay in Kananaskis
There is lots of camping in Kananaskis and some of it is first come, first served.
You can book a night very close to the Lillian Lake trailhead at theKananaskis Wilderness Hostel.
There are two options that are at the higher end – theKananaskis Mountain Lodge(home to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa) andMount Engadine Lodge– located in the heart of world-class hiking.
Further reading on hikes in Kananaskis
- Easy Kananaskis Hikes Everyone Will Love
- BEST Kananaskis Hikes for Mountain Lovers
- Hiking in Kananaskis: The Wasootch Ridge Trail
- The King Creek Ridge Hike in Kananaskis Country
- The Centennial Ridge Hike in Kananaskis Country
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