Black Prince Cirque Hike in Kananaskis

Reflection in Warspite Lake
Reflection in Warspite Lake

The hike to Black Prince Cirque is easy to access off the Smith Dorrien Road in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. In actuality, few people hike to Black Prince Cirque or even Black Prince Lake. Instead they stop at the very photogenic Warspite Lake – just a few kilometres from the trailhead.

The hike to Warspite Lake is family-friendly. But the hike up to Black Prince Cirque is take your breath away steep in places though fortunately copious wildflowers help take your mind off your heavy breathing.

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Black Prince Cirque hike summary

Distance to Warspite Lake: 4.1 km (2.5 miles) return

Distance from Warspite Lake to the elusive Black Prince Lake: 5.2 km (3.2 mi) return with an elevation gain of 503 m (1,650 feet).

Elevation gain: 122 m (400 feet) to Warspite Lake.

Level of difficulty: Easy and family-friendly to Warspite Lake and moderate to the area around Black Prince Cirque.

Dogs allowed: Yes, on a leash.

Time needed:  Two hours for Warspite Lake plus another 2 – 3 hours for Black Prince Lake.

Permit: Purchase a Kananaskis Conservation pass before you begin your hike. You can do it online or at the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre o Highway 40.

Bears: You’re hiking in bear country here, so don’t forget the bear spray – and read these tips for staying safe in bear country.

Trail conditions: Check out the trail report for Kananaskis Country before you go.

Don’t forget: Take the 10 hiking essentials, even if you go only as far as Warspite Lake.

Map: Gem Trek Kananaskis Lakes

If you go in winter: If you snowshoe or hike up to Warspite Lake in winter, don’t go beyond the lake as you get into serious avalanche country. 

Warspite Lake is the first stop on the hike

The majority of hikers head for Warspite Lake – via a 4.1 km loop trail. After you climb the first hill, the rest of the hike through sub-alpine forest is easy. The total elevation is a kid-friendly 122 m (400 feet).

The bottom line –  you’ll probably be surprised at just how quickly you reach the lake. Warspite Lake is a good place to hang out, eat lunch, enjoy the spectacular mountain views and take photographs, especially if you head in a counter-clockwise direction around the lake where you can get some nice reflection photographs.

The Hike to Black Prince Cirque
The views begin once you reach the lake
Warspite Lake boasts quite the green colour
Warspite Lake boasts quite the green colour
 Reflection in Warspite Lake
Reflection in Warspite Lake

Black Prince Cirque and Black Prince Lake hike details

From Warspite Lake look for a well-trodden though unsigned trail that branches off before your reach the inlet. To find it walk counterclockwise around the lake and the trail will reveal itself less than half the way around.

In short order the trail takes you through waist high grasses and flower meadows – a place where grizzlies like to hang out so don’t be shy about making noise through here.

Cross a boulder field with cairns marking the route. After clearing the boulders, head diagonally towards Warspite Creek (look for the waterfalls on your left as you hike) through more wildflowers on a steep trail.

The Warspite Cascades as they are formally called merit a photography stop – or at least that can be your excuse if you just want to drink some water and catch your breath.

The Hike to Black Prince Cirque
Continuing into meadows of wildflowers after Warspite Lake
The Hike to Black Prince Cirque
My friend Jody says that all she thinks about is food when she goes on a hike – how about you?
The hike steepens after clearing a boulder field
The hike steepens after clearing a boulder field
The waterfall is a good place to stop and catch your breath
The Warspite Cascades are a good place to stop and catch your breath

From the waterfalls the trail steepens. Don’t be in a rush through here. Turn around and admire the views. Once you crest the high point of this section look up to see the north face of  Mount Warspite.

While there are boulder strewn grassy flats up here that make a good lunch spot – you can continue on a trail that heads up another 150 m to finish at the top of a terminal moraine.

Maybe you’ll have better luck finding Black Prince Lake than we did or a fellow we met who hiked for another hour. From the terminal moraine you’re in a landscape that’s perfect for exploring. Perhaps head for the ridge – depending on your energy or comfort levels or stay put and soak in the mountain slendour.

From Warspite Lake its another 5.2 km return to the elusive Black Prince Lake with an elevation gain of 503 m (1650 feet). Allow about 5 hours to do the return hike, including a lunch stop at the top.

Provided you’re actually looking for a full day in the mountains, I highly recommend continuing up to Black Prince Cirque and Black Prince Lake. While we never did find the lake (I think it had dried up as we spoke with someone who climbed way higher than we did and never found it) the wildflowers in the summer are glorious, the mountain views sublime, and you’ll get your heart rate up on “a climb to make you gasp” – Gillean Daffern’s words – not mine.

At the end of July you'll find masses of alpine wildflowers
At the end of July you’ll find masses of alpine wildflowers
The Hike to Black Prince Cirque
By late July there was no sign of Black Prince Lake or we were completely clueless
Looking back at the mountains we've passed already
It’s just as pretty looking in the return direction
The Hike to Black Prince Cirque
We did see one curious marmot on the hike
The Hike to Black Prince Cirque
Descending through waist-deep flowers

Black Prince Cirque winter hike or snowshoe

In mid-February 2024, John and I did a winter hike up to Warspite Lake from the Black Prince Cirque trailhead. We didn’t need the icers we carried with us or the snowshoes we left in the car.

It was a straightforward, well-trodden trail all the way to what was left of the lake. Usually by the fall, Warspite Lake is littler more than a puddle. In the winter, whatever water is in there, is ice and covered with snow. 

It only took us about 30 minutes to get up to the lake – and that was with with elevation gain. We were even faster getting back down to the car. But rather than rush back to the car we pulled out our blow up seating pads and ate lunch, just soaking the the view on a winter day.

As this is a fast, easy hike I think it’s a long way to drive to Calgary, if this is all you plan to do. I’d suggest adding on the easy snowshoe tour on the Hogarth Lakes Loop, or checking out more of the easy snowshoe trails in Peter Lougheed like Rawson Lake, the 4.5 km Penstock Snowshoe Trail, the 7.0 km return Lower Lake Trail from the Canyon Day Use Area.

The fantastic view as we approach Warspite Lake
Fantastic Rocky Mountain scenery as we approach Warspite Lake
Pretty snow-covered boulders up at Warspite Lake
Pretty snow-covered boulders up at Warspite Lake
Quite lovely views on the way down
Quite lovely views on the way down

Getting to the Black Prince Cirque trailhead

From Calgary take the Trans-Canada – also called Highway 1 West to the Highway 40 exit. Turn south and follow it for 50 km.

Before you start up towards Highwood Pass on Highway 40, turn right onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail, then right again 2.2 km later onto the dusty, dirt Smith Dorrien Trail. Stay on it for 8.2 km to reach the Mount Black Prince Cirque Day Use Area on your left. It is well-signed.

You can also access the trailhead from Canmore by taking the Smith Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road for 52 km and turning right to reach the trailhead.

Where to stay nearby

You’re not far from some great camping in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park – and some of it is first come, first served. 

Recommended reading: A Complete Guide to Camping in Kananaskis

Your nearest roofed accommodation option is the pricey but lovely Mount Engadine Lodge.

Other options include the Wilderness Hostel near Kananaskis Village and the more upscale Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

The entrance to Mt Engadine Lodge
The entrance to Mount Engadine Lodge

Location map for the Black Prince Cirque trailhead

                                           

Don’t forget the following

Buy bear spray locally but I also recommend a holster for the bear spray so you can quickly access it.

A few other things I’d recommend are the Alberta Trees and Wildflower Guide , a bum cushion for lunchtime and a set of lightweight hiking poles for the steep descent.

Further reading on Kananaskis hikes

There are several excellent hikes off of the Smith Dorrien Road I’d recommend. Try the hike up Windtower, Burstall Pass or Buller Pass.

Alternatively the hike to Rummel Lake is always worthwhile.

Or check out the Sparrowhawk Tarns. Nearby, check out the South End of Lawson hike. It delivers big Kananaskis Lakes views.

If you like exploring off trail, try the Horton Hill hike.

The Black Prince Cirque hike in June is wetter and snowier
The Black Prince Cirque hike in June is wetter and snowier
Warspite Lake in June
Warspite Lake in June

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The Warspite Lake.- Black Prince Cirque hike in Alberta

 

 

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