's Warspite Lake Snowshoe Trail
This adventure brings you to the southern end of Kananaskis called Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. While in summer time Warspite Lake is a nice interpretive trail, in winter you will hardly notice the fact besides a few odd posts sticking out every so often. The trail starts off at the Mt. Black Prince Day Use area and shares the trail that leads to the Black Prince cirque. There are no technical difficulties along the way and the most challenging part would be a short uphill stint near the start, that once finished, the trail is relatively level.
Once at the cirque you are beneath the large cliffs of Mount Black Prince. Avalanche danger is considerably high once you go past the lake as a large amount of avalanche paths cross over each other so be sure to not wander beyond unless properly equipped and trained.
How to get to Warspite Lake?
From Highway 1, drive 50 kilometers south to the winter closure and turn right (west) onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail. After a couple kilometers make another right (northwest) onto Highway 742 (Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail) and follow it for 8 kilometers to the Mt. Black Prince Day Use area.
Warspite Lake Snowshoe Trip Log
The trailhead starts on the southwest end of the parking area. Head towards the creek about a 100 meters south of the parking area and the numerous tracks all funnel on top and over the snow bridge. The trail continues heading south for a short distance before making a right bend and heading west up the slope. The trail stays fairly wide so walking side by side is not a problem.
The next uphill stretch is the longest straight part of the trail. While not being very steep it does go consistently uphill. The trail stays the same width the entire way up until it levels off and the trees close in around you.
As you crest over the hill the trail actually starts heading back down now, while not nearly as steep or as long, it does narrow to single track so you can only walk single file unless you break trail.
The trail gradually descends at this point and you come to a fork which is marked with a 4x4 post. The route normally makes a loop, so if you go either direction you should come out the other end. It appears in winter time that it is not as popular which is surprising as it is not a very long loop at all. We decided to go right and went completely off trail. There was no visible sign of any deviation of the trail we followed to go towards the lake, it just kept going northwest. Eventually, we had enough and cut through the trees to make it back down to the lake.
Looking back, going left would be a better a option if snowshoeing or skiing to Warspite Lake after some fresh snow as a lot of people have walked the route in and out.
Since the end of the trail makes a loop, continue onwards and once you hook back up onto the trail you came in on, you will be a short jaunt away from your vehicle.
GPS Plotted Route
Doing the Warspite Lake loop doesn't seem to be as popular in winter as it does in summer. We initially went right at the junction and as we headed uphill there was absolutely no tracks in the snow turning southwest anywhere along our path. As we continued uphill we eventually just cut through the trees and down to the lake.
Our suspicions were confirmed as once we were at the lake, the packed trail was in and out with a fairly snowed over small trail hidden in the woods. The red trail is the route we took and the blue is the route we were suppose to take.
The large hump in the center of this profile is due to our deviation off the main trail and you will not encounter if staying on trail.
If there is any change to the route you feel others should know about, shoot us an e-mail from our contact page.
