Parking
Use the small roadside pullout on Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Trail (Hwy 742), across from the utility access; do not block the gate. Pullout capacity varies in reports, and no dependable overflow lot was verified.
Overview
About South Lawson Peak Trail
Why go
- Broad views across both Kananaskis Lakes from the ridge
- The flume approach gives way to a rocky summit traverse
Heads up
- Steep climbing makes up most of the ridge approach
- Unsigned access and a short exposed scramble complicate route-finding and icy-season attempts
South Lawson Peak, also called Little Lawson or the South End of Lawson, is an unsigned out-and-back from a roadside pullout on Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Trail. The full route is about 7.8 km (4.9 mi) return, with roughly 700 m of climbing; allow five to six hours. It suits hikers who are comfortable with a long, steep climb and a short rocky scramble near the top. Published route descriptions range from 7.8 to 8.5 km, so leave room for the longer figure if your timing is tight. This route is described as unofficial and unsigned, and formal public authorization for this exact path could not be confirmed; check access notices and obey posted restrictions before setting out.
Parkwolf’s verdictThe climb and the payoffMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Peter Lougheed map
Full mapElevation1,689–2,351 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
4 active Peter Lougheed alerts
- ClosureTrail closures and Three Isle detourThree trail sections remain closed; stay out of closed areas and follow the signed Three Isle detour to reach the open backcountry campgrounds.Official details
- CautionBear activity near Elpoca and ValleyviewFrequent bear activity has been noted along Valleyview Road from Elpoca Day Use Area south to Highway 40, near Little Highwood Pass and Valleyview Day Use Areas; use bear precautions.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Peter Lougheed Tour Guide
Your drive to South Lawson Peak Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Peter Lougheed audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
South Lawson Peak: The Ridge Above the Lakes0:00 / 0:26
“You're coming up on the informal roadside start for South Lawson Peak.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Peter Lougheed Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Peninsula Day Use: The Short Viewpoint Walk
- Canyon Day Use: The Lake and the Lost Trail
- Pocaterra Warming Hut: A Ski-Day Shelter
- Discovery Centre: Exhibits and Meadow Bears
- 41 audio storiesacross Peter Lougheed’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Canada Lynx, Black Bear, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 66 trails, 41 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking South Lawson Peak Trail
Follow the flumeThe first roughly 1.
The first roughly 1.2 km is a flat, curving access road beside a V-shaped flume that diverts Kent Creek. Near the flume headgate and a set of stairs, cross the small creek and take the uphill path. There are no reliable trail signs, and reports of flagging vary, so save the route for offline navigation. The easy start ends abruptly when the forest climb begins.
A steep forest climbThe ridge path climbs hard through trees for much of the ascent.
The ridge path climbs hard through trees for much of the ascent. The shade helps, and occasional clearings open views south toward the Kananaskis Lakes. Around 3 km in, trees thin and the footing gets rockier; the grade eases for a while, then steepens again near treeline. Expect more climbing than the quiet access road suggests.
From the false summit to the topThe rocky false summit has a strong view across the lakes and a narrow ridge leading to the…
The rocky false summit has a strong view across the lakes and a narrow ridge leading to the grassy true summit about five minutes farther on. The final scramble is short, with good holds and some exposure. Snow or ice can make that narrow section slick enough to turn back, even when the lower forest feels manageable. From the false summit, frame the rocky ridge toward the grassy top with the lakes below it.
Access and amenitiesUse the small roadside pullout on Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Trail (Hwy 742), across from the…
Use the small roadside pullout on Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Trail (Hwy 742), across from the utility access; leave the gate clear. Pullout capacity is reported inconsistently, and no dependable overflow lot was verified. A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for the parked vehicle. Dogs are allowed on leash in provincial parks, with a maximum 2 m leash. There is no toilet or potable water at the pullout; the nearest reported toilets are pit toilets at Peninsula Day Use Area.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Peter Lougheed
132 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
17 sightingsCanada LynxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
30 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
176 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
19 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 8 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Peter Lougheed. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
