Picklejar Lakes

Picklejar Lakes and “Picklejar Hill”
Kananaskis, Alberta
October 10, 2020
Distance: 11.8 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 744 m

Nestled in a narrow, alpine valley are a string of four small lakes: Picklejar Lakes. Judging by the surfeit of cars I've seen at the trailhead some days, not only are the lakes popular but could be overpopulated. They attract hikers and anglers as well as hunters during the hunting season.

Dinah had never seen the lakes, and I could remember little of my trip 20 years ago. Aside from revisiting the lakes, I wanted to climb a hill that I hoped held a commanding view of the valley where the lakes lay.

From Lantern Creek day-use area, we crossed the road and started up the trail. It quickly climbs before easing off as it traverses hillside meadows. Then it drops down into the trees, crosses a boardwalk, and runs over a pass to the valley bearing the lakes.

Trails are everywhere in the valley, so you can design your own course. All the lakes can be reached by paths on the south shore, but only the first and third lakes have north shore trails. Each lake has its own characteristics, so visit them all.

We hiked to the end of the fourth lake before turning around. We returned to the first lake and hiked back up the pass. There we separated. Dinah returned on the trail, while I climbed the hill from the pass. Although technically easy, I don't recommend casual hikers try it. There is no trail. “Picklejar Hill,” as I call it, rises 140 m above the pass.

Following animal trails and clearings, I found the ascent easy, even pleasant, although steeper than I expected. Whenever I encountered trees or bushes, I went left and always found a corridor. I focused on reaching an outcrop just below the summit. While the entire west slope is treed, the outcrop provides a window to look down at the valley. I could view most of the valley, but rises hid the second and fourth lakes.

From the outcrop, the ridgetop is only a few minutes away. I welcomed the open meadow on top and quickly crossed the grassy ridge to the summit. I spent several minutes taking photos, or trying to as the wind and the rain were wreaking havoc with my camera lens.

From the top, I started down a grassy gully. The grassy ridge on my left looked more open, but the gully was closer and appeared fine. I encountered some bushwhacking at the bottom but soon reached the trail at the boardwalk. I followed the trail back to find Dinah waiting patiently in the car.

KML and GPX Tracks

Starting up the trail. A sign warns that this is a bear habitat.