Snowshoe Routes: Ross Moore Lake
The trails out to Ross Moore Lake are becoming grown-in over the last 40 years. Back in the 1970’s, there was a cross-country ski race (loppet) along this track. It was wider then and there were no trees down along the route. We followed the 6.75 km trail from the end of Lac Le Jeune Drive through the forest on a well-defined snowshoe track. The trail follows the edge of the fireguard built along the southern flank of Lac le Jeune and comes onto the Gus Johnson track. This trail was once used by cross-country skiers when a local resident kept the track groomed, but now it is used more for snowshoeing all the way from the end of Lookout Road to the east end of the lake. At that point a provincial park boundary signs sits in an open spot at the foot of a small hill. The track to Ross Moore Lake veers off a little way up the hill, heading east.
With all the snow this winter, there were a few trees down along the track. The route continued through the forest and became a single track going past Fred Lake on the last kilometer to Ross Moore Lake. We crossed the frozen lake to the Rocky Mountain Ranger cabins. On inspection, they were open so we had lunch inside, taking care to clean up and secure the cabin after use. We returned by the same route, a round trip of 13.5 km, 4 hours on the snow.
Vehicle Access:
- Drive to Lac le Jeune and continue across the bridge and up the hill.
- Park at the end of Lac le Jeune Drive.
- Park considerately for the homes along this road. Don’t block driveways.
Ross Moore Route:
- There is a man=gate at the end of the road.
- Follow the flagging tape and snowshoe track.
- Stay right at most junctions, going past two small ponds.
- At the end of the second pond, note a junction going up a gully, the route up to Ridge Lakes, but bypass this for the Ross Moore route.
- Follow the single track down the hill, then along the fireguard.
- The track merges with the Gus Johnson Trail.
- At the end of the lake, pass the sign, climb the short hill and turn onto the track going east.
- Watch for the snowshoe tracks continuing east.
- Emerge on the west side of Ross Moore Lake.
- The cabins are on the northeast shoreline. Pick a spot for lunch and return by the same route.
- The tracks are now set all the way. Just put one snowshoe in front of the other for 4 hours!