To access this trail turn left once you pass Arethusa Creek just south of Highwood Pass (see above map)l This hike is a great spot to go during Larch Madness as this short hike should be less busy than the ones in Lake Louise and Banff and offers some nice backdrops as well for your photos.
Distance: 4.18 km (return)
Elevation: 268m
Distance: 13.54km
Elevation Gain: 386m
This amazing hike is accessed from the Cat Creek Day-Use-Area and shares the first part of the hike with the McPhail Creek Trail before heading southwest towards Carnarvon Lake, which is truly one od the most beautiful lakes in Kananaskis and all of Alberta in my opinion. This hike does feature an exposed scramble up the headwall prior to arriving at the lake. Like other trails along the Highwood Pass section of Highway 40, remember that crossing the Highwood River is best done in July and August due to water levels being higher prior to this. There are chains to help you alo9ng this trail so I would advise wearing gloves. When I did this hike I carried Gillean Dafferin’s Kananaskis Country trail Guide with me to use as a reference, I suggest doing the same. This hike is in Volume 5 and located on page 185. I have also left a terrain profile below this info as I do with all hikes so0 you can see how and where the elevation is, you can also view the map above to see a detailed route or download the trail as a gpx or kml file as well as printing off the map the section you want to hike if you open in caltopo. Though you can view it on mobile, I do suggest using a laptop or pc to view the map for this hike or any other you choose. If you really area full of energy you can use the Carnarvon Creek to Fitzsimmons Creek Trail and hike to the Strawberry Hills (see Strawberry Hills Route below or go above and select it from the chart.
Distance: 20.84km return
Elevation Gain: 597m
This hike is accessed roughly 380m north of the Fitzsimmons Day-Use-Area or roughly 540m south of the Strawberry Equestrian Campground on Highway 40. Make sure to check yourself for ticks on this hike as I have seen herds of Elk in this area before and heard reports of people who have discovered ticks while hiking here. It is a pretty steady hike to the top with 573m of elevation gain till you reach the summit at 2147m above sea level.
Distance: 6.63km (return)
Elevation Gain: 573m
This trail can be accessed from the Cat Creek Day-Use-Area northwest of Cat Creek on Highway 40. This a hilly route which leads you into Lower Cat Creek Falls which is located in a canyon in which you need to cross some footbridges to reach. A relatively easy hike but not one you will soon forget.
Distance: 6.63km (return)
Elevation Gain: 67m
This hike is accessed roughly 360m west of the junction with Highway 541 and Hwy 940 just west of Etherington Creek. This is one of the nicest viewpoints in my opinion although it is quite a steep elevation gain. It can be done as a loop when combining it with Junction Hill Southeast Ridge. I recommend using Junction Hill Southeast Ridge as a descent route.
Distance: 7.37km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 691m
This hike is accessed via the Fitzsimmons Creek Day-Use-Area on Highway 40 approximately 2.7km west of the junction of Highway 40 with Hwy 940 which leads towards Livingstone. This hike passes the Strawberry Hills which I cover in another section as well as the Coyote Hills to the south. A relatively easy walk which offers impressive views of Mount Armlaren 2809m, Mount Armstrong 2785m and the true summit of Mount Armstrong 2790m as you head west along this hike.
Distance: 11.83km (return)
Elevation Gain: 251m
Accessed just North of Lineham Creek on Highway 40 at the Lineham Creek Day-Use-Area. Follow the trail as it makes its way along Lineham Creek to a junction. Go straight at the junction (see above topo map for details). From this point most of the elevation awaits you. This junction is also a good spot to fill up your water bottles or Lifestraws if you need to do so.
Distance: 13.12km (return)
Elevation Gain: 792m
Be Bear Aware when hiking this trail as it is quite a popular route for Grizzly Bears. Loomis Lake is a very popular fishing destination as one of my friends told me it is stocked with cutthroat trout.
Distance: 20.99km (return)
Elevation Gain: 459m
This popular hike is accessed from the Cat Creek Day-Use-Area and is also the trail used to reach Lake of the Horns and has beautifulul scenery from Mount McPhail 2667m, Horned Mountain 2667m to the west with Hook Ridge and Mount Muir 2758m to the south, all in all this is beautiful valley with loads to explore, including the beautiful Hill of the Flowers (see terrain profiles below).
Distance: 20.91km
Elevation Gain: 248m
This hike is accessed from the Mist Creek Day-Use-Area and I have provided the profiles below for both this hike and the Mist Ridge Loop Trail, which returns via Mist Creek Trail, and both hikes are of similar length as you can see in the profiles below and both take you towards Rickert’s Pass. Mist Ridge Loop Trail has around 766m of elevation gain as opposed to Mist Creek with only 585m but Mist Ridge offers unforgettable breathtaking moments and views.
Distance: 21.52km (return)
Elevation Gain: 585m
This hike is accessed 3.88km west of the Mist Creek Day-Use-Area. Be careful if attempting this hike to the summit as it is known to attract bad weather, even if just accessing the hot springs be sure to check the weather first. Another point of caution I have noticed when heading to the hot springs were various Grizzly Bear digs and scat. Since the pandemic happened this hike has seemingly become a lot more popular, that does not mean you wont come across a bear though, just the opposite, with more people comes more garbage, remember if you pack it in, PACK IT OUT 😊. If you are heading for the summit remember to use caution, just because it is popular doesn’t mean it is easy, but the views are undeniable. Make sure to grab some panorama photos, if you do get some and would like to share, we can post them on this trail with photo credit to you of course. On my return from this hike a few years ago I noticed fresh Grizzly Bear Scat and tracks, it also chose to use the same path as I did, BE BEAR AWARE.
Distance: 4.95km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 1249m
Accessed roughly 730m south of Mist Creek on Highway 40 at the Mist Creek Day-Use-Area, this is a rather long hike with some steep elevation gains. But if you are up for a challenge this is one of the nicest ridge walks in not just Kananaskis but in all of Alberta. Be sure to carry a GP{Sor topo map in case bad weather shows up unexpectedly as there are ways to leave the ridge back to the creek. This trail starts out by following Mist Creek Trail before heading east towards Mist Hills. When you see Gibraltar Mountain 2665m to your east, you are getting quite close to Rickert’s Pass before returning along the Mist Creek Trail.
Distance: 23.53km (return)
Elevation Gain: 766m
This hike is accessed roughly 7km south of the Mount Lipset Day-Use-Area or 4.72km west of the Mist Creek Day-Use-Area. This hike can also be accessed from the Mist Mountain Trail as well as from the summit of Mist Mountain but that is a route for more e4xperienced hikers as it does feature some exposure.
Distance: 4.55km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 679m
This trail is located roughly 3.07km west of the Mist Creek Day-Use-Area in the Highwood Pass section of Highway 40. This route offers beautiful views of Mist Mountain as well as can be used as an alternate access to the Mist Mountain Hot Spring.
Distance: 3.58km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 619m
This hike is accessed roughly 6.45km south of Highwood Pass (see above map) and will have you wading across Storm Creek and features a waterfall. A great hike to do i9n the morning on these hot days we are having as there is great access to water so you can fill up your LifeStraw etc. and the one time I did this hike, I never saw anyone else on it but I did see bear scat so be Bear Aware.
Distance: 5.92km (return)
Elevation Gain: 405m
Accessed roughly 390m north of the Lantern Creek Day-Use-Area. This is one hike you need to be Bear Aware on, you should always be when hiking but please make sure your spray is not in your backpack and is in a easy to access area such a a chest holder as Grizzly Bears have been known to frequent this area evidenced by the tracks and scat found in multiple locations along this hike. Also do not attempt to cross the Highwood River prior to Mid-July depending on water levels. This hike does feature larches as well but it isn’t a hop, skip and a jump to reach them, and with less daylight during Larch Season be sure to time this hike correctly.
Distance: 14.36km (return)
Elevation Gain: 245m
This hike can be a lot shorter, about 2km if you access it from the Old Sawmill Site (see above map) and cross Odlum Creek. Whichever way you choose this leads to a beautiful pond with waterfalls thundering down the headwall. The earlier you can cross the Highwood River, the nicer the falls will be.
Distance: 22.89km (return)
Elevation Gain: 305m
Accessed just North of Picklejar Creek at the Picklejar Creek Day-Use-Area. This trail does not lead to Picklejar Lakes unfortunately. Like on most trails in Kananaskis make sure you are Be bear aware as in 2013 or 2014 there was a hunter I believe that was killed by a Grizzly Bear with cubs somewhere in this area. You can follow this trail up to the junction with the South Mist Hills Route or continue along it to Picklejar Pass which also junctions with the trail to Highwood Peak.
Distance: 6.11km (return)
Elevation Gain: 340m
This hike is accessed from the Lantern Creek Day-Use-Area. This is a very popular hike as it leads to 4 breathtaking Alpine lakes. This is also a great spot for fishing – be sure to check the regulations before you head here if you plan on taking in some fishing for cutthroat trout. Lineham Ridge trail is also accessed by this hike. Also keep an eye out between 1st and second lakes as there is a waterfall there that a friend showed me a while ago.
Distance: 10.23km (return)
Elevation Gain: 444m
Accessed roughly 10km south of Highwood Pass (see above map) this trail is best done mid July and beyond as you need to wade Storm Creek. This is a popular spot with fisherman (wish I had known when I went there) and is a relatively easy hike with views of Mount Odlum 2724m, and Running Rain Peak 2755m of the Elk Range providing the perfect backdrop to this lake.
Distance: 5.99km (return)
Elevation Gain: 188m
This hike is accessed from the Picklejar Creek Day-Use-Area on Highway 40. This beautiful hike follows Picklejar Creek before heading northwest from the junction towards Southwest Mist Hills which offer the best views on this hike.
Distance: 5.84km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 664m
Storm Mountain is a popular hike through Larch meadows and is accessed roughly 4.35km from Highwood Pass going south on Highway 40. This scramble is featured on page 228 of Alan Kanes Scrambling In The Canadian Rockies 3rd edition. The book suggests doing this as a counterclockwise loop while All Trails suggests going up and back the same way. I think like most of you we go with Alan Kanes route which is the one I have indicated on the map above which you can view on pc or laptop for a better view than the small screen of a mobile device. This hike is for advanced scramblers only as there are a few difficult sections.
Distance: 6.15km (return)
Elevation Gain: 985m
This hike is accessed from the Fitzsimmons Creek Day-Use-Area This is a beautiful hike that leads you to strawberries and is best done mid-July to mid-August so you can have the opportunity while enjoying great views to munch down on some wild strawberries.
Distance: 9.06km (return)
Elevation Gain: 417m
This trail shares the path with Loomis Creek Trail before turning southwest and following Bishop Creek. Like I mentioned about Loomis Creek, be sure to be Bear Aware when in and around this area. This trail continues up to Mount Bishop 2850m if you choose to go further.
| Trail | Distance | Elevation Gain | Terrain |
| Arethusa Cirque Route | 4.18km (one-way) | 268m | A great hike to see Larches |
| Bishop Creek Trail | 13.54km (return) | 386m | Aforested walk along a creek |
| Carnarvon Lake Trail | 20.84km (return) | 597m | Chain section, scrambling - Read discription |
| Cat Creek Hills Trail | 6.63km (return) | 573m | Steady leg burner with chances of spotting Elk |
| Cat Creek Interpretive Trail | 2.51km (return) | 67m | Easy hike to a waterfall |
| Fitzsimmons Creek Trail | 11.83km (return) | 251m | Easy hike that offers great views |
| Junction Hill Trail | 7.37km (return) | 691m | A steep elevation with rewarding views |
| Lineham Ridge Route | 6.2km (return) | 792m | Steady leg burner |
| Loomis Creek Trail | 20.99km (return) | 459m | A popular fishing destination |
| McPhail Creek Trail | 20.91km (return) | 248m | A trail used to access Lake of the Horns |
| Mist Creek Trail | 21.52km (return) | 585m | Best done together with Mist Ridge Loop Trail |
| Mist Mountain Trail | 4.95km (one-way) | 1249m | Access to Hot Springs |
| Mist Ridge Loop Trail | 23.53km (return) | 766m | A long, relentless leg burner |
| Mount Lipset Trail | 4.55km (one-way) | 679m | Steady leg burner to the summit |
| Nameless Ridge Route | 3.58km (one-way) | 621m | Short ridge scramble with moderate elevation gain |
| North Shorelk Cirque Route | 5.92km (one-way) | 405m | Creek crossing and features a waterfall |
| Odlum Creek Trail | 14.36km (return) | 245m | Do not attempt before mid-July, be Bear Aware |
| Odlum Ridge Route | 10.9km (return) | 706m | Short hike through tall pine forest to a ridge |
| Odlum Pond Trail | 22.89km (return) | 305m | A beautiful pond with waterfall coming out the headwall |
| Picklejar Creek Trail | 6.11km (return) | 340m | Does not lead to Picklejar Lakes; Be Bear Aware |
| Picklejar Lakes Trail | 10.23km (return) | 444m | A popular hike that lead to 4 breathtaking Alpine Lakes |
| Running Rain Lake trail | 5.99km (return) | 188m | Storm Creek Crossing. Do not attempt before mid-July |
| South Mist Hills Route | 5.84km (one-way) | 664m | Southwest hill offers best views |
| Storm Mountain Route | 6.15km (return) | 985m | Moderate to advance hike; Through Larch Meadows |
| Strawberry Hills Route | 9.06km (return) | 417m | This hike leads to Strawberries when in season |
The maps, GPS data and elevations on profiles are provided for reference purposes only and to help you plan you next outdoor adventure. Maps can be used for navigation and you can open them up in Caltopo for a better viewing experience. Backcountry Views makes no guarantees, representations or warranties respecting this data, either expressed or implied. Backcountry Views assumes no responsibility for damages or other liabilities due to the accuracy, availability, use or misuse of the information provided. I use the information provided within this website to help plan my hikes from elevations to different types of terrain. This info is free to use, as I want to help everyone have a safe enjoyable time while hiking, thank you very much. I hope you find this info to be a benefit to you. For updates follow me at backcountryviewsofficial on Instagram.
