Picklejar Lakes

Route Description for Picklejar Lakes

From the Lantern Creek parking lot, cross Highway 40 and once you reach the other side, walk left until you see the signed trailhead off to the right.

As you start the hike up to Picklejar Lakes, you initially begin by climbing above a creek on your right. The path will take you through trees and then hills filled with wild flowers. As you continue to ascend you’ll push farther left of the creek.

The trail goes in and out of stands of aspen and spruce, with pleasant views in each clearing. As you look ahead, it isn’t clear where the route ends up.

As you gain altitude, you may find that poles really help. The last uphill section has black shale and is particularly steep. It’s tough getting up, but even worse coming down. At the top of this section, in a clearing, the path goes to the right.

As you follow the path, it soon crests over jagged rock and you are greeted with stunning views of the first Picklejar Lake. This is a stunning view.

The path down to Picklejar Lake is steep and a little tricky but requires no scrambling. Once at the lake stay on the right-hand side of the lake. You might see people fishing at this lake, and it surely can be a great activity here, but keep in mind that it’s only catch and release. Keeping the fish can incur a hefty fine, upwards of $100K.

From this first lake, it’s definitely worth it to continue and explore the other 3 lakes. To do so, go to the end of this first lake and pass through a rockslide runout and follow path on other side of the debris.

Many paths go to the second lake, which isn’t quite as spectacular as the first one. At the second lake, take the path along the right-hand shore until it splits and heads towards the large mountain in front of you (this is part of Lineham Ridge, a different ridge from the Lineham Ridge that is famous in Waterton)

From the second Picklejar Lake, you'll be walking through a rockslide on a path that is at time hard to find, heading towards the upper two lakes.

Follow the path around the right-hand side of the 3rd Picklejar Lake. At the end, we like to stop at a plateau above the third and fourth lakes for our break. This is a beautiful vantage point. You could continue farther uphill through scree if you want to get higher, however be careful of rockfall.

From the plateau come back down and circumnavigate the 3rd lake by going right to navigate the opposite side of the third lake.

You soon rejoin the path you hiked up on. Follow it back to your car.

Would you like to do a more challenging hike? Check out the Pocaterra Ridge.

Insider Hints for Picklejar Lakes

• The entire Highwood Pass area, including the southern portion of Highway 40, is closed from December 1st to June 14th each year. This hike can only be reached via a long bike ride while the highway is closed.
• Fishing is popular here. Make sure you have a licence and you practice catch-and-release.
• Highwood House is the closest place to stop for a snack after the hike.
• You can also reach this hike from Banff by taking Highway 40 south for 88.0 km.