Boulton Creek Campground & Picklejar Lakes

Trip Date: June 2007

After we rafted the Kicking Horse River (see previous post), we headed back to Alberta where we set up camp in Boulton Creek Campground in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, which is part of the Kananaskis Country park system.  Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is approximately 140km southwest of Calgary along the Kananaskis Lakes Trail.  You could definitely say that the theme of this trip was wildlife, as we saw a wide variety of species over the course of the weekend.  

Bull Elk in Banff National Park

Grizzly Bear in Banff National Park

White-Tailed Deer in Kananaskis Country

Moose in Kananaskis Country

This was one of many Moose that were hanging out in our campground all weekend

Rocky Mountain Sheep.  They look this shaggy because they're losing their winter coats.

Coyote in Kananaskis Country

Even though there was rain in the forecast we decided to head out and hike up to Picklejar Lakes in the Lantern Creek Provincial Recreation Area, also part of the Kananaskis Country park system.  The trail is about 8.5km round-trip with approximately 450m of elevation gain.  Ultimately the trail will lead you to a series of four small lakes in the bottom of a valley.  Due to the inclement weather we opted to stick to the upper ridge overlooking the lakes instead.  

On the way we had to drive up Highwood Pass, which is the highest paved road in Canada

Picklejar Creek

Lantern Creek Valley on our way up the Picklejar Lakes trail

Kyle taking in the scenery

The first Picklejar Lake in the valley below us

Mike scrambling up the ridge

Mike and I at the top of the ridge

Great views to be had from this elevation

Panoramic shot of the surrounding mountains

We also got hit with an unexpected overnight June snowstorm.  There was enough heavy, wet snow to collapse at least one tent.  As you can tell from Christine's face, we decided to head home one night early!