The Jacques Lake Trail in Jasper National Park is a straightforward in-and-out trail that follows a series of small lakes and streams to picturesque Jacques Lake. The trail is relatively flat, runs through a beautiful, spruce forest, and leads to the Jacques Lake backcountry campground and the Jacques Lake Cabin, operated by the Alpine Club of Canada.
The Jacques Lake Trail makes an excellent winter hiking and backcountry option. Here are reasons why I recommend it:
- The hike is easy to moderate, perfect for winter hiking.
- Stunning views of snowcapped mountains, pretty lakes and a Christmas-card-like forest.
- With minimal elevation gain, it’s an excellent option for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
- You can make it an overnight trip by booking the (heated) Jacques Lake Cabin.
On our hike in November, we had very little snow on the way to Jacques Lake and a lot on the way out! That is why you’ll see such a difference in the photos in this article.
Indigenous placenames for area landmarks
Northern Explorers looked for the Indigenous name for Jacques Lake but could not find one. However, it is part of the Maligne Lake water system, and the Stoney-Nakoda call Maligne Lake Chaba Imne. This means “Beaver Lake.” There is another Beaver Lake on the Jacques Lake trail, which you can now call Chaba Imne!
We are tremendously grateful to explore and experience this land, and respectfully acknowledge that Jasper National Park is in Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 territories. These are the traditional lands of the Dene-zaa, Anishinabe, Nêhiyawak, Secwépemc, Aseniwuche, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis and Métis people. This area was a place for gathering, harvesting resources, and ceremony.
Jacques Lake Hike Information
Distance: 13.5 KM to the Jacques Lake Cabin, according to our trail tracker GPS. Parks Canada states it’s 12.2 km to the Jacques Lake Campground, but it is a little more than that.
Elevation Gain: About 100m, with some minor ups and downs throughout the hike.
Time: 4 to 5 hours in winter conditions, including a stop for lunch.
Trailhead: The trailhead is about 27 km on the Maligne Lake Road, on the east end of Medicine Lake. There is a parking area, picnic tables and an outhouse.
Trail Conditions: Check trail conditions for advisories before you go. In the winter, be prepared for snow coverage and icy conditions.
Avalanches: Jacques Lake Trail crosses the tips of two avalanche paths, with two others nearby. Check conditions before you go, and do not stop on these paths.
Trail Rules
- Bikes are allowed up to Summit Lakes
- Horses are permitted, and there is a hitching post at the cabin.
- Dogs are permitted on a leash.
What to know before you go:
- Check avalanche conditions and trail closures. Never stop in avalanche paths.
- Be careful of the ice! Parks Canada does not monitor ice conditions, so make sure it’s safe before skiing or snowshoeing on the lakes.
- Carry bear spray, even in the winter.
- Follow leave-no-trace and responsible travel principles.
Staying at the Jacques Lake Cabin
The Jacques Lake Cabin can be booked during the winter months through the Alpine Club of Canada. It’s a log cabin with two double-bunk beds (sleeps up to 8), a propane heater, propane lights, two tables, and provided cookware. Book here.
Camping at the Jacques Lake Campground
In the summer, you can reserve tent pads in the Jacques Lake Campground via Parks Canada Reservations. There are eight tent sites, bear lockers, picnic tables and a communal fire pit area. Reserve your campsite.
Hiking to the Jacques Lake Cabin
The Jacques Lake Trail starts on an old fire road for about 4.8 km, but it’s barely recognizable as one. Depending on the temperature and snow coverage, you’ll be doing little creek crossings and walking alongside a running creek for the first few minutes. Then the double-wide trail evens out and takes you through a dense spruce forest towards Beaver Lake (Chaba Imne).
You first see Beaver Lake at 1.6 KM, but you will walk alongside it for several minutes before you’re back in the forest, following a straightforward trail.
Lunch at Summit Lake
The first Summit Lake will come up on your right about 3KM from Beaver Lake. A slight detour to the lakeshore makes for a great lunch stop. There are a few fallen logs to sit on, and the views of First Summit Lake and the peaks behind it are stunning. We saw fresh moose tracks in this area, but never saw the moose. I have, however, seen a moose at this lake in the summer!
Shortly after leaving the first summit lake, you’ll get to Second Summit Lake and follow along its shoreline for several minutes before popping back into the dense forest. There are several small creek crossings, and some have wooden bridges.
When it is snowy, this part of the forest is so lovely. It has mossy mounds and low-lying willows that look magical when covered in snow. Plus, the spruce branches hold fluffy snow and look like perfect Christmas card trees.
As you go along, you’ll be rewarded with peak-a-boo views of the Rocky Mountains, especially as you trace snow-covered meadows approaching Jacques Lake.
You’ll see Jacques Lake through the trees, and you’ll walk alongside it for a while before reaching the Jacques Lake Campground. If the ice is thick enough, you can ski or snowshoe directly on the lake. However, be mindful of where the creek flows in and out of the lake. The ice will always be thinner here due to the moving water.
At the end of the campground, you’ll follow the shoreline towards the creek opening and take the bridge across to the Jacques Lake Cabin.
Warning: The bridge is damaged. Some make-shift bridge sections are in place, making it passable, but it can be slippery, so take care when crossing! Hopefully, Parks Canada builds a new bridge soon.
Jacques Lake Cabin Information
We stayed one night at the Jacques Lake Cabin, but I could have happily spent a second night there. It’s nestled in the forest next to the lake with epic views of the Queen Elizabeth Range. You could easily spend the day romping around in the snow, exploring the decommissioned South Boundary Trail and have a long evening socializing or reading in the cozy cabin.
Essential supplies in Jacques Lake Cabin
Inside the cabin, there are two double bunk beds (sleeping up to 8 people) and two tables. You’ll also find:
- Propane heater between the beds
- Propane lights
- Two-burner propane cooktop
- Lighters and matches
- Pots and pans
- Dishes and cutlery
- Clean buckets for collecting water or snow
- Wash basins
- Dish soap, bleach, dish gloves and mop and pail
- Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
- A few decks of cards, puzzles, etc.
The ACC has very detailed instructions for washing dishes to ensure they’re sanitized. They provide basins and cleaning products, and require a three-step process. First, you wash the dishes in soapy water, then rinse them in a hot-water basin, and then sanitize them in a hot-water bleachy basin. Then air dry on the drying rack.
Heating the cabin
Thankfully, there is a propane furnace inside the cabin and the propane tanks for the furnace and other gas appliances are located just outside. We had to light the pilot light (instructions are there), but it should be lit for you upon arrival.
You can set the temperature with a thermostat on the kitchen wall. It also runs on a 6-hour timer, so it will shut off automatically if someone forgets to leave it on. Make sure you crank it before you go to sleep.
The heat rises, and there is a significant temperature difference between the bottom and top bunks. If you sleep warm, stick to the bottom! There are hooks everywhere, and we found that clothing and jackets dried out nicely on the upper hooks.
Drinking water
There are several yellow buckets for gathering snow to melt for water or to get water from the creek. The first night we were there, there wasn’t enough snow accumulated, so we got water from the creek.
There is a bit of sediment in the water, but it has settled to the bottom of the bucket. Then you can scoop water from the bucket into the pot to boil. It’s a good idea to let the water boil for at least five minutes to ensure any harmful bacteria, viruses or protozoans are killed.
Outhouse
There is a two-story outhouse just behind the cabin. Your waste is caught in a barrel at ground level. If the barrel is full (6 inches from the top), you’re responsible for replacing it with an empty one. Parks has instructions on how to do this on-site.
Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Backcountry outhouses are never stocked.
Note: Please ALWAYS use the outhouse and avoid urinating outdoors around the cabin. It can attract wildlife and contaminate snow that the next guests might use for drinking water.
Preparing for Your Winter Backpack to Jacques Lake Cabin
Backcountry adventures in the winter can be a lot of fun, but you must be prepared with the right gear and mindset. Weather can change in an instant, accidents can happen, and you must be prepared to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
What to wear?
Our group spent a lot of time debating what to wear, what layers to pack and what to leave behind. Winter is tricky because you want to have warm layers, but you also know you’re going to get hot and sweaty during the hike. We had temperatures hovering around zero to -5 degrees. Though it wasn’t too cold, you should always prepare for it to get cold! Here’s what I brought:
- Thermal base layer (merino or synthetic blend)
- Hiking pants
- Insulating layer (fleece)
- Light down jacket
- Snow pants
- Rain pants
- A Gore-Tex jacket (any breathable, waterproof shell will do)
- Extra layer, top and bottom
- Light leggings and a t-shirt for sleeping
We had warm weather, so I ended up hiking with my base layer, a thick fleece, and snowpants most of the time, and carried the rest in my pack.
You should also bring a toque, mittens or gloves and something to protect your face from the cold. Wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction.
What to pack?
Fortunately, staying in a hut means you don’t have to pack a tent, sleeping pad, camp stove or dishes. Here’s what was in my pack:
- Down sleeping bag
- Pillow (I splurged)
- Clothing I wasn’t wearing in a dry sack
- Micro-spikes
- Gators
- Toque, mitts, face warmer and extra gloves.
- Water bladder (the hose will freeze if it’s too cold)
- Cell phone and charger
- Coffee cup and spork
- Pocket knife
- Lighter
- First aid kit with an emergency blanket
- Pack cover
- Hut slippers
- Food
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer
Bring hiking poles. The ground can be slippery, and it’s hard to see what rocks and logs you’re stepping on under the snow! You should also bring bear spray and wear it somewhere accessible. Bears can wake up throughout the winter, and I’ve had two bear encounters on this trail in the past.
I also brought dishwashing supplies, but you don’t need to. Everything you need for that is in the cabin.
What to eat?
The Jacques Lake Cabin is fully equipped for cooking a nice meal. Because we were only staying one night, most of us just brought our own dehydrated backpacking meals for dinner. Here’s what I brought:
Lunches: Bagels, cheese, mandarin oranges, carrot sticks and cookies.
Dinner: Backpacker meal (lentil and butternut squash dahl) and a chocolate bar to share for dessert.
Breakfast: Instant oatmeal, nut and seed mix, dried fruit and instant coffee. I also packed in real coffee cream, because that luxury is worth it for me!
Snacks and drinks: Granola bars, trail mix, pepperoni and hot chocolate mix.
Start early. Winter days are SHORT.
Daylight hours are a premium in the winter, and when we went on this trip, the sun dipped below the mountains in the early afternoon and completely set by 4:30 PM. Start your hike early. Always check when the sun sets and make sure you have enough time to complete the trail safely before it gets dark.
Respect the environment
Exploring the great outdoors is an amazing experience, but we must be respectful stewards of the environment. Be responsible on the trails, respect wildlife and leave no trace. That means packing out everything you pack in, including your garbage, dog poo bags, apple cores, everything!
Keep to designated trails to reduce damage to plants and trees. If you see any wildlife, give them lots of space and observe them from a safe distance. Never feed wildlife, and keep your food and supplies stored properly to prevent attracting animals.
Getting to the Jacques Lake Trailhead
The Jacques Lake trailhead is located on the Maligne Lake Road at the end of Medicine Lake in Jasper National Park. You’ll see signs for Jacques Lake on the road, and you turn left into the parking lot.
Plan more winter adventures in Canada!
- Chester Lake Hike and Elephant Rocks: Winter Edition
- The ultimate guide to winter in Cypress Hills Provincial Park
- Epic adventures, winter camping in Dinosaur Provincial Park
- Wind and Waterfalls: Winter in Waterton Lakes National Park
- Everything you need to know about Castle Mountain Resort
- The best winter activities in and around Cranbrook, BC
- The complete guide to storm watching in Ucluelet and Tofino
