I Took The Path Less Traveled By: Lakeview Peak February 15, 2016

This was a father son hike and my first summit for 2016. It was an interesting weather day. I think we saw about every aspect of weather. We saw rain, snow, hail, sunshine, blizzard blowing snow, wind and no wind. But at least we had a clear view on the top of the peak which was a spectacular view of Waterton and the prairie to the east. We started just as the sun was rising and finished at about 3:30 pm. We had started with intentions of only climbing the Lakeview Peak, but decided to do the Horseshoe Loop trail as well, it was only about 4-5 km more. So the descent around the parks north east corner was different. It would have probably been more pretty in the summer when there was vegetation. The trail was also pretty slippery and covered in snow on the descent down from the Lakeview saddle ridge. Well worth the day and had a lot of fun. There is sure something to say about the beauty of snow covered peaks!

Sun rising as we started on Sofa and Vimy

First view of Rogan or Dungarven SE2 Peak through the snow storm

Galwey appearing on the left and the sun cutting through the clouds

Better view of Galwey and Rogan

Looking back on Bellevue Hill

Almost up on the saddle of Horseshoe Basin Loop where we took the ridge to the top of Lakeview

Looking back on Rogan

Looking down on the valley we came up, Bellevue is the center peak

View from on top of Rogan and Dungarvan

Dungarvan on left and Cloudy Peak in middle with more peaks on the right that are outside the park

Looking north toward Pincher Creek area and the trail we would eventually take

Looking down the ridge of Lakeview towards Waterton Park. You can see Chief Mountain on far left, then Sofa and Vimy and Bellevue on the right

My boy on the Summit with Rogan and Dungarvan behind

Me on the summit with Dungarvan and Cloudy over my shoulders

This is where I almost slipped down the mountain, the snow was covering a good sheet of ice on the trail and so we stayed a little higher on this drifting snow on the trail. Had to kick foot holes in as we went.

Looking back at where we were, Lakeview peak in center of picture

More kicking to make the path safer on the drifting snow on the trails. This north facing side of the ridge was pretty bad for trail slipping, I slipped and fell a few times!

Almost down looking over the prairie

This is the opposite of the picture above looking up a col of Rogan Peak

Looking back at the snowy drifty trail covered ridge we had to come down!

From mountains to prairie, Waterton is truly unique. Looking back on where we came, the saddle we came over is on the far left of picture and the peak on the right is Dungarvan.

Horseshoe basin is a trail that follows the park boundary fence all the way back to where we started. I bet it is prettier in the summer as it lacked all the vegetation on the trees as you can see.