Picklejar Lakes – Relaxed Pace – Experienced Hikers
Slow and Steady Hikers
Picklejar is one of my favourite, longer hikes. After a beautiful drive down hwy 40 watching the scenery and sometimes bears, coyotes, always big horn sheep, we arrive at the trailhead. Then we hike 5km to the first lake, and continue along, higher into the alpine, with different flowers, plants, and often pikas and marmots. There is a possibility of bears. After the first lake, we quickly reach the second, third, and fourth beautiful lakes. We will stop for a leisurely lunch between the 3rd and 4th lakes. Then, we will return the same way for a total of:
10.9km and 682m elevation gain
If it is hot out, the brave souls have a tradition of bringing a swim suit, towel, hand warmers, and water shoes, and we take a quick swim in the third lake!
We meet at the Lantern Day Use trailhead, see map, at 9:45am, to be ready to hike at 10am sharp. This will be a long day, please don’t make evening plans.
On my hikes, we take 8-12 experienced hikers. We do not run ahead or leave people behind. We are out to enjoy nature together, get to know each other better, and keep each other safe. If you run ahead of the group, we will feed you to the bears.
That being said, this hike is for experienced hikers who want to hike at a relaxed pace. To be accepted on this hike, YOU MUST HAVE HIKED WITH ME BEFORE. No beginners, no guests, no children. I may bring my friendly, experienced hiking dog, on a leash, if there
is room in my Jeep. Her name is Jasmine.
You choose to make your own carpooling plans once you are accepted on the hike. Recommended $25 gas fee. I recommend meeting at Shouldice Park and Ride or Petro Canada at hwy 22 and 1. I can take 3 (max 4) passengers from Petro, on the north end of the gravel road, on the hwy 22 side. The time to get there will depend on whether you take the south route through Longview or north through Kananaskis. Please plan your pickup times accordingly to arrive by 9:45am.
For those interested, we will stop for supper at the Black Diamond Hotel on our way home. You need to take the Longview route to get there. Please coordinate with your drivers/passengers to decide if your car will stop for supper. My Jeep, leaving from Petro (or Bragg Creek if there is more interest), will stop for supper. Drivers must have a Kananaskis Park Pass.
Bear spray and cameras recommended. Lunch, snacks, 2-3 litres of water plus electrolytes, poles, changes of clothes, medications, waterproof hiking boots, gaiters, required. Water purification tablets, a headlamp with new batteries, first aid kit, tensor bandage, and emergency silver blanket are recommended in case things don’t go to plan. Extra socks and plastic bags for your boots are also useful. A water bladder you can drink while you hike, plus a backup water bottle is ideal.
Please read the slow and steady waiver and code of conduct in advance. You will sign in agreeing to the conditions of the waiver at the trailhead and leave an emergency contact name and number. You agree to follow slow and steady policies, listen to the organizer, treat everyone with respect, do your own research on the hikes, come prepared, and recognize that your organizers are volunteers who put in a lot of their own time to plan and lead these hikes for you.