Backpacking journal

Tamarack Trail

September 2026 · 4 days · 52 km / 32.5 miles

The narrow rocky ridge leading toward Mount Lineham, with steep slopes on either side — Mount Lineham.

This is a small blog post about my four-day backpacking trip on the Tamarack Trail in September 2026, starting at Rowe trailhead and finishing at Red Rock Canyon.

Route

The route includes Mount Lineham summit, a Sage Pass out-and-back, and Avion Ridge, with nights at Lone Lake, Upper Twin Lake, and Goat Lake.

These distances and climbing totals are rough estimates, including the side trips.

Day	Route, including side trips	Kilometres	Miles	Feet climbed
1	Rowe trailhead → Mount Lineham summit → Lone Lake	21	13	4,500–4,900
2	Lone Lake → Upper Twin Lake camp, plus Sage Pass out-and-back	10.5	6.5	~1,100
3	Twin Lakes → Avion Ridge → Goat Lake	13.5	8.5	2,600–3,100
4	Goat Lake → Red Rock Canyon parking	7	4.5	~0–100
Total		52	32.5	8,200–9,200

Select any photo to open the full-resolution original.

Rowe and Tamarack trailhead map showing Lone Lake, Twin Lakes, Sage Pass, and Red Rock Canyon — The trail map. Open the original for a closer look.

Background

To write: why I chose this trip, planning and permits, and getting to and from the trailheads.

Day 01

Rowe trailhead → Mount Lineham summit → Lone Lake

21 km / 13 miles4,500–4,900 ft. ascent

To write: starting at Rowe trailhead, the Mount Lineham summit side trip, and the first night at Lone Lake.

A backpacker holding a loaded pack beside the car in the early light — Getting packed up for the trail.

Three backpackers standing beside the Rowe/Tamarack trailhead sign — The beginning, at Rowe trailhead.

Two alpine lakes at different elevations among forested slopes and rocky ridges — Lakes tucked into the mountains below.

A hiker following a trail toward a reddish ridge under a blue sky — Ascending the ridge.

A lone backpacker on a rocky slope above a broad valley and distant mountains — A small figure in a vast landscape.

Blue Lineham Lakes in a rocky basin far below the viewpoint — Looking down at the Lineham Lakes.

A hiker seated on rocky ground overlooking lakes and mountain cliffs — Taking a break above the lakes.

Day 02

Lone Lake → Upper Twin Lake camp, plus Sage Pass out-and-back

10.5 km / 6.5 miles~1,100 ft. ascent

To write: the hike from Lone Lake to Upper Twin Lake, the Sage Pass side trip, and camp.

A backpacker relaxing in a chair beside Lower Twin Lake beneath a tall cliff — A lakeside break at Lower Twin Lake.

Still water at Upper Twin Lake reflecting dark trees beneath a pale morning sky — Morning light at Upper Twin Lake.

Three backpackers playing Monopoly Deal around a wooden table at a forest campsite — A round of Monopoly Deal at camp.

Day 03

Twin Lakes → Avion Ridge → Goat Lake

13.5 km / 8.5 miles2,600–3,100 ft. ascent

To write: leaving Twin Lakes, crossing Avion Ridge, and the night at Goat Lake.

Two backpackers climbing a rocky trail on Avion Ridge with mountains behind them — Climbing Avion Ridge.

Layered mountain ridges and exposed cliffs stretching into the distance under a blue sky — Ridges stretching into the distance.

A broad view from Avion Ridge across a deep valley toward a sharply angled mountain — The view from Avion Ridge.

Golden larch branches against a clear blue sky — Golden larches along the way.

Looking up through tall golden larches framing an open patch of blue sky — Looking up into a canopy of gold.

A backward view across a rocky slope toward the long, shadowed face of Avion Ridge — Looking back on Avion Ridge.

Day 04

Goat Lake → Red Rock Canyon parking

7 km / 4.5 miles~0–100 ft. ascent

To write: the hike out from Goat Lake to Red Rock Canyon and wrapping up the trip.

A person standing on a rock among evergreens below mountain cliffs and a pink sky — Pink skies above Goat Lake.

A backpacker standing beside still Goat Lake beneath steep rocky cliffs and a pale sky — One last look at Goat Lake before heading out.

A backpacker descending a narrow mountainside trail with autumn trees below — The descent from Goat Lake.

Shredded paper scattered over a blue tarp and gear in the back of the car — Back at the car: evidence of an unwelcome visitor.

Other Notes

Gear: To write: what worked and what I would change.
Food: To write: meals, snacks, and how much I packed.
Logistics: To write: permits, transport, and useful planning details.

References

Route descriptions and trip reports for the Tamarack traverse and its side trips. These published routes do not all match this itinerary: my Day 3 crossed Avion Ridge rather than taking the standard Snowshoe Trail connection from Twin Lakes. The distances and climbing totals above remain approximate, not GPS measurements.

Parks Canada: hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park — official hiking information, trail distances, and links to current conditions and closures.
Simon Ennals: Tamarack Trail — a multi-day trip guide and planning reference.
Hiking Project: Tamarack Hike — an overview of the standard traverse and its campsites, described in the opposite direction, from Red Rock Canyon to Rowe Lakes trailhead.
Hiking With Par: Mount Lineham and Rowe Lakes — a summit trip report with a route map and details of the approach from the Rowe/Tamarack trailhead. Its full day-hike totals include lake detours, so they are not directly comparable to my Day 1.
Peaks and Streams: Sage Pass Peak and Sage Senior — details of the approach to Sage Pass from the Twin Lakes trail. The report continues to peaks beyond the pass; my side trip was only to the pass and back.
Hiking Project: Goat Lake Trail and Snowshoe Trail — descriptions of the connected trails between Goat Lake and Red Rock Canyon, useful for understanding the Day 4 exit.