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    Headwall Lakes

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Hard
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    4-6h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    14.9 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    535 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
    Overall Rating
    This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
    9.7
    Physical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Technical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Read Reviews
    Directions to Trailhead
    Panorama from the Headwall Lakes hike from Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis near Canmore

    The Headwall Lakes hike is not as popular as it should be. This walk takes you up into the alpine to a barren and stunning limestone valley and the beautiful Headwall Lakes. Many people hike through this valley on the way to the summit of The Fortress.

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    Route Description for Headwall Lakes

    This trail starts at the popular Chester Lake Trailhead, which has toilet facilities. The parking lot fills up on beautiful weekends so get there early if it’s nice out.

    After parking, head-out from the SE corner of the parking lot, following a cross-country skiing sign. This first part of the hike is along a somewhat mundane fire road, and good conversation with your hiking partners helps this part of the hike go quicker.

    Follow these old logging roads as they go roughly parallel the Smith Dorrien Trail, heading SE for just under 3.0 km. You come to a T-intersection just before you get to Headwall Creek. Go left at this T-intersection and follow the trail as it descends to Headwall Creek. You’ll notice flood damage from the devastating 2013 Alberta Floods, and the original bridge is gone, replaced by a new bridge.

    Cross over Headwall Creek and head left. Quite quickly the trail will veer right and head steeply uphill. When the trail levels out look for a cairn on your left (there may also be some flagging), where you leave the wide trail for a narrow path for roughly 2.0 km. This path can be tricky, still recovering from the floods of 2013.

    Eventually the path comes out of the woods beside a large scree slope, which you skirt to the left. Ahead is the first, and most difficult headwall, of the day. The headwall is steep, and the rocks are loose. This can be treacherous in wet weather. Soon after this first headwall you see the beautiful Lower Headwall Lake. This deep green lake nestled in a cirque is stunning.

    You could turn back after the Lower Headwall Lake, however the best bits are just a little farther on. Head around the right side of Lower Headwall Lake and ascend the steep path to Upper Headwall Lake. The view from Upper Headwall Lake is stunning! Walk around the lake on the right-hand side and savour the views.

    We love to continue up along Headwall Creek for roughly 1.2 km to further explore this beautiful valley, though this additional distance isn’t included in the total for day, nor is it shown on the map. Along this additional 1.2 km you will gain another 170 m of elevation. You can continue a bit farther to climb to the col between Fortress and Chester Mountains, a stunning view. You could also continue all the way up and ascend The Fortress, which is a scramble we rate as one of the 10 best in the Kananaskis.

    Return the way you came, back to your car. The views are sublime as you descend, but take care to watch your step. The route down both of the headwalls are tricky, and would be unpleasant if wet or icy.

    Once back on the logging roads, you need to take care if you parked your car on the Smith Dorrien, as it’s easy to pass by the trail on your left. If you go too far and end up back at the Chester Lake parking lot, merely return along the Smith-Dorrien.

    Check out other amazing hikes in Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien:

    Insider Hints for Headwall Lakes

    • Get to the parking lot early as the Chester Creek parking lot can fill up early on weekends.
    • You can save 2.0 km of the route by parking along the Smith Dorrien, 775 m south of the Chester Lake parking lot and taking the left-hand logging road to the trail. Turn right when you reach the trail.
    • This is the same approach as the route to The Fortress, a great scramble in the Kananaskis.

    Getting to the Headwall Lakes Trailhead

    The trailhead is located on the unpaved Highway 742, also known as the Smith-Dorrien Trail, and is the same trailhead as the Chester Lake Trailhead. From Canmore drive towards the Nordic Centre. Continue past the Nordic Centre and travel 41.0 km before reaching the parking lot. If coming from Kananaskis Lakes in the south, the distance is approximately 20.0 km.

    Route Information

    • When to do

      June to early October

    • Backcountry Campsites

      No

    • Toilets

      At trailhead

    • Family friendly

      No

    • Route Signage

      Poor

    • Crowd Levels

      Low

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Headwall Lakes Elevation Graph

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