Rawson Lake Hike- Kananaskis Country

The Rawson Lake hike is a half-day trip to a stunning glacier-carved cirque and alpine lake in Kananaskis Country. 

Framed by trees with Mount Sarrail towering at the head of the cirque, there’s plenty of natural beauty to appreciate at the end of Rawson Lake Trail. On a calm morning, the surrounding scenery is perfectly reflected in Rawson Lake’s clear water.

While the final destination is definitely the main highlight, the Rawson Lake hike also showcases views of Upper Kananaskis Lake, a small waterfall, and an old growth forest.

Rawson Lake Trail Description

The hike to Rawson Lake starts at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area. The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot, just beyond the outhouses. You’ll see a large sign with some information about the area and a trail map.

Don’t let the name on the sign (Upper Lake Trailhead) confuse you- this is the access point for Rawson Lake. The first section of the Rawson Lake hike proceeds along the Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail. A little over a kilometre later, the path arrives at the Rawson Lake trailhead. 

As you depart from the Upper Lake trailhead, you’ll be following a wide, flat path into a mature forest of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. A snow-capped mountain can be seen straight ahead in the distance. A few metres later you’ll pass a sign saying that the Rawson Lake trailhead is 1.2 km away.

Soon there’s a big gap in the trees offering a wonderful view of Upper Kananaskis Lake and the mountains that surround it. If you want, walk a few steps to the rocky shore for a wider view of the scenery. 

Continuing down the tree-framed path, there will be more peekaboo views of Upper Kananaskis Lake, as the trail sticks fairly close to the shoreline the entire way to Rawson Lake Trail. On your left you’ll see small streams and moss carpeting the shady, forest floor.

About 1.1 km into the hike you’ll arrive at Sarrail Creek. From the bridge you get a close look at a 10 m tall waterfall tumbling into the lake. 

After crossing the bridge over Sarrail Creek, the trail turns right then gradually curves left, still roughly following the lake’s shoreline. Soon a trail junction comes into view and the sign indicates that Rawson Lake is 2.2 km away. Keep left at this junction to get on Rawson Lake Trail.

At the Rawson Lake trailhead there’s a sign with some brief information about the Rawson Lake hike. This is the first in a series of interpretive panels along the trail that share some interesting information about Rawson Lake and the surrounding environment.

Now that you’re on Rawson Lake Trail, the hike shifts from easy to moderate as it embarks on a steady ascent towards the lake. The trail isn’t steep, and there are switchbacks, but it does require some stamina since it won’t level off until you’re almost at the lake. 

During this segment of the Rawson Lake hike you’ll pass through an old growth forest. There are many dead, fallen trees and you may even see or hear some woodpeckers searching for a snack. 

Once the ascent is done, the trail levels out and crosses a damp area of the forest. Split logs have been put down so hikers don’t cause more erosion by walking through the mud.

Nearing the lake, you’ll be able to look down from the trail and get glimpses of Rawson Creek flowing through the forest. The water looks so clear and refreshing!

It’s not much further until Rawson Lake suddenly appears. From the shore you get a spectacular view of Mount Sarrail curving around the western end of the lake. This limestone headwall is the crowning glory of this glacial cirque and its reflections in the lake are dazzling.

The hike is not over yet, as Rawson Lake Trail continues down the southeast shore towards Mount Sarrail. Walking along the forested path there will be several spots where you can enjoy more views of Rawson Lake and Sarrail Mountain, as well as Sarrail Ridge on the north shore. 

After passing by a green outhouse, the trail proceeds along the edge of a small meadow below a rocky cliff. You’ll even see a few larch trees.

Keep straight on the path until you come to an unobstructed view of Sarrail Mountain and the west end of the lake. This is the official finish point of the Rawson Lake hike, as indicated by a sign saying “End of Trail.”

If you want to extend your hike, you can continue along the rocky shore to the end of Rawson Lake. From there, if you’re prepared to tackle some steep terrain, you can embark on the challenging but rewarding Sarrail Ridge Hike, but note that this is not an official trail and is unmaintained. 

Once you’re finished visiting Rawson Lake, return to the trailhead on the same path you hiked in on.

Review of the Rawson Lake Hike

The Rawson Lake hike is an enjoyable, relaxed trip to one of the most exquisite cirques in Kananaskis Country. The lake’s beauty is enhanced by the wonderful reflections of Sarrail Mountain.

While people of all skill levels can enjoy Rawson Lake Trail, it’s especially good for beginners and intermediate hikers. The trail is easy to follow and well designed, so there’s a gradual gain in elevation instead of being overly steep.

The ease of access to Rawson Lake, and of course its stunning setting, makes this one of the more popular day hikes in Kananaskis. Thankfully, the lake is big enough to offer everyone their own quiet space on the shoreline, even on a busy summer weekend.

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