Headwall Lakes to Chester Lake Loop
Location: Lat/Lon: 50.82°N, 115.23°W
Elevation Gain: 2,650 ft
Distance: 17 km
Effort: Strenuous
Rating: 4/4
Highlights: Natural karst between lake 1 and 2, a high col, scree on the Chester Lake side, boulder fields
Lowlights: Chester Lake back to the trailhead, you just want it to end
Note: Once in the tarns above lake 2 angle to the hill on the right as in is a more gradual rise to the approach to the col
This is one of the premier loop hikes of the Kananaskis but less known than others. What makes it great are many stages so it never gets boring except for the section from Crester Lake back to the car.
The first few kilometers follows an old series of logging roads to Headwall Creek, a bridge, then a short hike up the road to a cairned trail leading into the trees to the left. Follow the trail all the way to the first Headwall lake. From there, climb up to the second lake past an outflow from the upper lake that gushes out of the rock formation part way up. Go past the lake, up another small ridge to reach the upper valley the curves north east east then north. Keep right to begin gaining altitude to Fortress Col. There are a series of cairns to mark the way. The best way to go is not through the lowest part of the valley. Gain the col by leaving the creek about a kilometer past the upper lake. Go to the large hill to the right, following it over the top. Continue on straight toward Fortress Mountain. You will then notice a worn section leading to up a steep slope to the col to the right of a large rock outcropping. If you go before the end of July, you may run into a large patch of snow before the final push to the top. You will end up at the saddle. It looks tough but it’s basically a climb straight up to the col.
If you have the energy at this point you can go the rest of the way to the summit of Fortress Mountain which is another grunt to get to the top of. We’ve never done it but most times we are up there, there are people doing it from the Chester Lake side.
From the saddle, it’s a steep decent to the valley bottom. Once down you need to pick your way through a boulder field and then onto a green bench land just before you drop to to Chester Lake. From there it’s, well, boring and your just want to go for the car.
September 12, 2009
What an unbelievable weekend of great weather, great hiking temperture, zero humidity, no wind and absolutely clear blue skies. This is the Canadian Rockies at its best. This hike was my nemisis from a couple of years back, blew my knee on it. This year it was great. Lots of people out including a group of 70 year plus frat boys from Ontario on an annual get together and some people up on Fortress Col. The grunt up the south side of the col is stiff as you get to within about 200 feet of the crest and we met a lone blistered hiker at the top. Not a good one to do if your breaking in your boots. Hope she made it back okay. The hike down the Chester side is good as you have some good fine shale and medium sizes scree. The boulder field at the bottom to the lower tarn is tiring as your need to pick your way though and it gets tiring early on. All in all this is a preimier Kananaskis loop hike. Good for anyone in good shape or for those who finished the Canmore half maraton today and looking for something more scenic and physically rewarding (Tandooi Hut half marathoner this is for you).
