The Pickle Jar Lakes hike is a standout if you’re a fan of mountain lakes. And judging by the popularity of this Kananaskis hike, people love a lake as a destination. Hike to four lakes. Even better – though not all are equally beautiful. Be sure to go as far as the third of the Pickle Jar Lakes as it’s the prettiest of them all. This is a favourite of Calgary hikers.
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Pickle Jar Lakes hike summary
- You will need a Kananaskis Conservation pass to do this hike.
- The return hike is approximately 9 km return with 474 metres (1,555 feet) of elevation gain.
- I’d rate it as a moderate hike. The final approach has a short, steep section.
- Allow 3 – 5 hours to do the hike, depending on how much time you spend at the lake.
- Dogs are permitted on leash.
- You’ll see lots of people fly fishing as the lakes are stocked with Westslope cutthroat trout. It’s catch and release only and you need a permit.
- This is grizzly bear country so be sure to carry bear spray along with the 10 hiking essentials. The bear spray should be easily accessible. I find a holster helpful.
- Access to hike Pickle Jar Lakes is seasonal as the southern section of Highway 40 is closed from June 14th to December 1st every year. If you want to try and do an early season hike, you’ll have to bike to the trailhead – and it’s a long way.
- After the hike, you can pick up snacks at Highwood House if you’re heading home via Longview. If you’re driving towards the Trans-Canada Highway you can get gas and food at Fortress Junction.
Pickle Jar Lakes hike route description
From the parking lot walk north beside the highway for about 100 metres. Cross the road and pick up the obvious, though unsigned trail that curves northeast into woods of aspen and conifers. Start climbing.
Approximately 20 minutes into the hike you’ll get a good view of the trail heading up. For a while you can hear road traffic. Eventually it gets drowned out by the sound of the creek you can see in places below you.
The ascent is steady though very doable, even for kids if you take your time. In a few of the steep places there isn’t much underfoot for traction. Some people may find poles handy in this section.
The trail drops into the forest after cresting the first pass. Then it’s up again but the views show up. Mist Mountain appears off to the west-northwest. Reach the high point of the entire hike at a 2137 m pass.
The Pickle Jar Lakes come into view
From the pass descend a short section on shale – with tantalizing views of the first lake. This part of the hike can be a challenge for some. It’s steep and hard to get a good grip. Again poles may help.
The first of the Pickle Jar Lakes is at the 4.2 km mark. To continue to the second lake, walk along the south shore to an obvious inlet stream. Boulder hop and then hike up and over a small scree slope to reach the lake number two. If you’re thinking about a lunch stop, keep going to the third lake, the prettiest one of them all. It’s a short hike between each lake.
When you arrive at the third lake you can see trails going either way around it. We went right, crossed a scree slope, continued through a short section of beautiful alpine wildflowers to gain a ridge overlooking the shallow fourth lake. It’s easy to hike down to the lake. From there pick up the trail to loop back to the start of the third lake.
Retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
It’s a desolate scene on the way to the third Pickle Lake
On a sunny day the water in the third lake is a gorgeous Caribbean blue and teal colour though the backdrop of banded cliffs and talus bowls is a tad desolate. Still this is the lake everyone is drawn to. The fishing is good, picnic spots out of the wind are plentiful and you may see or hear a marmot or pika.
Camping at Pickle Jar Lakes
Camping is happening at the lakes – as I saw many groups going in and lots of campsites. However, it’s not actually permitted according to a woman I spoke with at the Barrier Lake Information Centre. I wouldn’t recommend it or I’d double check and ask for a second opinion. But the Alberta Parks website shows no camping too. However, there is lots of camping in Kananaskis and much of it is first come, first served.
Recommended reading: A Complete Guide to Camping in Kananaskis
Useful things to have on the hike
Hiking poles are helpful on this hike where it gets steep or wet around the lakes.
I like an inflatable seat cushion to sit on at lunch time.
The hike is dog-friendly but keep them on a leash at all times. There are a couple of streams on the hike up to the lakes where dogs can drink some water. Or take a dog bowl like these ones that are collapsible.
The Highwood & Cataract Creek Gem Trek map is the one to carry on this hike.
If you enjoy wildflowers but don’t know their names, this pocket guide to popular wildflowers of Alberta is helpful.
Finding the trailhead
The shortest route to the trailhead if you’re coming from Calgary is via Highway 40. From Black Diamond take Highway 22 south to Longview. Turn west onto Highway 541. It becomes Highway 40 when you reach Kananaskis Country. From Longview it’s 61 km to reach the large Lantern Creek Recreation parking lot on the west side of the highway.
From Highwood Pass it’s 20.6 km south on Highway 40 to get to the Lantern Creek parking lot.
Walk north beside the highway for a few hundred feet, cross the road and you’ll see the start of the Pickle Lakes trail heading off into the trees.
Location map of Pickle Jar Lakes
Where to stay in the area
You don’t have a lot of choice when it comes to roofed accommodation. Head to Kananaskis Village where you’ll find Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. Near the Ribbon Creek trailhead, in the same vicinity is the Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel.
For a splurge, head to Mount Engadine Lodge off the Smith Dorrien Road.
More hikes in the nearby Highwood Pass area
- The Ptarmigan Cirque Hike in Kananaskis Country
- The Pocaterra Ridge Hike in Kananaskis
- The Grizzly Ridge Hike in Kananaskis Country
- The Elbow Lake – Rae Glacier Hike, Kananaskis Country
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