Mount Black Prince

Short hike to Warspite Lake and a dramatic cirque

InsidePeter Lougheed Provincial Park

Overview

Mount Black Prince anchors a popular day-use area that’s really about the hike into Warspite Lake and the dramatic Black Prince Cirque. The peak was named in 1917 after a WWI battleship, and the trail delivers outsized scenery for modest effort.

The Hike

Warspite Lake: about 4.2 km round-trip with roughly 90 m of elevation gain. It’s a straightforward, family-friendly outing that starts at the signed trailhead by the outhouses. Walk counterclockwise around the lake for mirror-like reflection shots when the water is calm.
Black Prince Cirque (beyond the lake): the path steepens through wildflower meadows, a boulder field, and past the photogenic Warspite Cascades. Expect a more moderate effort; from Warspite Lake this adds roughly 5.2 km return and ~500 m of gain. Black Prince Lake itself can be elusive and may dry up, but the cirque’s walls and views are the real prize.

Winter Notes

Warspite Lake is a well-traveled winter walk or snowshoe, but terrain beyond the lake is serious avalanche country. Early season can bring thin ice and open water near outlets. Check current advisories and conditions the morning you go, and bring traction (microspikes) or snowshoes as recent snowfall dictates.

Getting There

Two common approaches: from Canmore, drive ~52 km south on the Spray Lakes/Smith Dorrien Road to the signed Mount Black Prince Day Use Area. Or from the Trans-Canada, take Highway 40 to Kananaskis Lakes Trail, then turn onto the Smith Dorrien and continue ~8.2 km to the day-use area.

Amenities

At the trailhead you’ll find a parking area and vault toilets. An interpretive pamphlet is available for the Black Prince Cirque Interpretive Trail.

Wildlife

This is active grizzly country; carry bear spray and know how to use it. Mountain sheep, coyotes, and the occasional moose are sometimes spotted along nearby roads.

Rules and Logistics

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for vehicles. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Camping is only allowed in designated areas.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: lush meadows and abundant wildflowers make the cirque especially pretty.
Photography: aim for calm mornings at Warspite Lake for the best reflections.
Winter: stick to the lake unless you have avalanche training and gear, and always verify conditions via Alberta Parks’ trail reports and advisories.

Pros

Short, family-friendly hike to Warspite Lake with big views
Trailhead has parking and vault toilets

Cons

Beyond Warspite Lake enters serious avalanche terrain in winter
Access via Smith Dorrien Road can be gravel or snow-covered

Tips

Walk counterclockwise around Warspite Lake for the best reflection photos.
In winter, bring microspikes or snowshoes and check current trail and avalanche advisories.
Expect gravel or packed snow on the Smith Dorrien Road; drive slowly and allow extra time.
If you head beyond the lake, treat the cirque as avalanche terrain and plan accordingly.
Black Prince Lake can dry up seasonally—go for the cirque views, not the water.