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Paget Peak |
| Elevation 2550m Height Gain Time to Reach Objective Degree of Difficulty Scenery Date of Most-recent Outing |
Paget Lookout is a relatively short and enjoyable hike - about 1 hour at a brisk pace. However, why stop there? The summit is nearby, and for those with the determination to venture further the view at the top is quite rewarding. Heading west on Highway 1, go past Lake Louise. Some 2km past the Lake O'Hara road park at the Wapta Lake picnic grounds (GPS reference 51d26m34s N, 116d21m16s W). The trail starts just to the left of the sheltered area. In a hundred meters or so make a sharp left at a signed junction. You want to follow the trail to Sherbrooke Lake / Paget Lookout. After 2.2km you reach another junction (GPS reference 51d26m34s N, 116d22m06s W). This time, go right. Quickly you're into open forest. The trail is gently sloped and takes you around to the southwest flank of Paget Peak. As you gain elevation you get improving views of mountains to the south - but more on that later. After the 3rd right-hand switchback since the junction you are within 15 minutes of the lookout cabin. Scattered trees and a rock face on your left hide the view of the summit. On reaching the lookout building (GPS reference 51d26m58s N, 116d22m02s W), take a breather and relax. There are benches conveniently set up inside, and with all windows still intact you'd be sheltered on a windy day. There's even a shovel and broom in there. Presumably if you're planning to entertain company you can tidy up a bit and make sure the driveway is shoveled. If you want to take pictures of Wapta Lake below this is the best place for it, because you can't see it from the summit. From opposite the lookout a recognizable trail continues uphill. The high point above is only a false summit. The trail is amply marked by cairns, and skirts around to the left of the false summit before emerging at a short leveling. Take any one of numerous paths towards the summit mass. Although the highpoint is still hidden once you top out on what you can see you'll be real close. Even though the slope looks steep, the ground is sturdy, and allows you to make small switchbacks at will if you're tired. On the other hand, if you're felling anxious you can make a b-line for the top as well. Once you get over the last rise a cairn is a short distance away. There is a metal pole stuck in this one. A slightly higher point is another 5-10 minutes further north along the broad ridge. About half way there you have to scramble down (easy) the right side of some blocks to a slight dip before walking up to the summit (GPS reference 51d27m35s N, 116d21m50s W). Directly east is Mt. Ogden. Gentle rolling slopes here do not provide a view of Sherbrooke Lake below, but the view of Sherbrooke Valley trending north and rising up to meet Mt. Niles is spectacular. South across the highway are the ragged summits of Cathedral Crags, and to its right is hulking Mt. Stephen. In the southeast are the backsides of the mountains that are seen from Lake Louise. Glaciers still hang on the north-facing slopes of Mt. Collier and Pope's Pk. Immediately to the east is Mt. Bosworth, with the Lake Louise ski area just beyond.
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