This trail was a lot steeper than the first two peaks I summited this year. The name Little Lougheed derives from the peak’s connection to the larger and more serious Mount Lougheed.
The trail starts on the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road to the left of Spencer Creek. The first part is a gentle wander through the trees up to the High Rockies Trail. Then it goes left at a trail junction, crossing a small bridge and following the High Rockies Trail a few hundred meters. Then it leaves the High Rockies Trail, climbing up to the right.
This steep trail then winds higher through the forest, going right along a boulder field, then through more forest until it finally breaks out above the trees on a loose scree slope to the summit.
Beta:
- This is an out-and-back trail along the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road south of Canmore
- Park on the side of the road near Spencer Creek
- Elevation gain: 723 meters
- Distance out and back: 5.5 km
- Difficulty: a steep hike with no clear trail for the top part which has some loose rocky sections
- Gear: consider bringing micro-spikes if there is snow
Permit Required
A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park at the trailhead.
Helpful Apps
- AllTrails
- FATMAP
Trip Report
On April 29, I summited Little Lougheed, my third peak of 2023. The first two I did by myself because Dan was out of town. This was the first one where Dan could join me. We brought the dogs and spent a great day on the mountain.
The trail starts with a gentle wander through the forest. It was still icy.
As we went up, there was more snow on the trail. It was slippery in some places. We were happy we had micro-spikes on our boots.
It’s steeper than it looks. The trail skirts around the right side of a field of large boulders.
It then climbs up along this rocky spine. The summit is in the distance.
The snowy trail was firm in the morning before the sun had a chance to soften it up. Later in the morning, on the way down, it had turned to slush.
I was glad we started early. It made the hike up a lot easier.
Looking up at the summit and the steep scree field.
This is the view from near the summit looking north along the Spray Lake.
This is the view from the summit looking south along the Spray Lake.
Closer to the top. We follow the footprints of past hikers.
Summit selfie!
The day is warm enough that we can rest at the top and enjoy the views.
Little Lougheed was another fun summit hike. This one was a bit steeper and the trail was less defined than the first two of the year, Prairie Mountain and Ha Ling Peak. It was great to continue to improve my fitness.
I planned for another steep trail to an even higher peak for my next summit, Wasootch Peak.
Reach the peak!
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