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Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Black Prince Lakes

GPS Track

Black Prince Lakes just starting to melt in early July.  By September usually only small puddle remains

Multiple Dates, last July 8 '24

Delightful high Alpine Bowl flanked by Mt. Warspite and Mt. Black Prince at Spray Road west side.  First part is Black Prince Cirque Family Friendly Trail with old interpretive signs.  Adventure begins after leaving crowds at Warspite Lake north side, where Cirque trail ends.   In late summer easiest way across is simple walk on dried lake bed, as reflected on GPS Track (download Top of Page).  On my second trip in early summer I bushwhacked around left side following bits of trail and old flags, then after crossing lake inlet intercepted good trail that leads into Warspite alpine bowl - but apparently there is also trail circling west side of the lake;  suit yourself.   Only other potential route-finding problem comes soonafter:  Trail disappears crossing large scree plateau;  watch for cairns in order to pick it up on the other side. Rest is relatively straightforward;  be ware of resident bear that frequents the area, but appears to mind its business and not bother anyone.

After entering the Bowl above the Cascades (~1hr from Warspite Lake) Black Prince Ridge is reached by scrambling obvious Talus slope on west (climber right) side.  Any line works, but there is also faint trail branching off main trail near the lip of the Bowl.  Ridge traverse is highly recommended, specially if you arrive early enough when sun has not yet dropped below Mt. Black Prince.   From the low col at Ridge North side one can also climb another ~100m vertical for high-angle view till cliffs bar further progress.

Despite abundance of golden larches on Black Prince Ridge I believe Autumn is not optimal time for this hike;  as all main highlights (Warspite Lake and Cascades,  Black Prince Lakes) will be dry.  Try to come in early summer instead or as soon as snow has melted.

Going Further

There are 3 options I know all radiating from Warspite Alpine Bowl:

• East Warspite Ridge:  Easy trash up wide gully from the Bowl, with great views of Spray Corridor.  See Gallery
• Mt. Warspite:  Difficult rated Kane scramble.   Absolutely must be snow free - gully leading to col below summit block would be very dangerous with snow cover.  From Mt. Warspite one can also traverse over to Mt. Invincible, then descend back to Spray Road via east slopes leading to Gypsym Mine Road.  This is very advanced and difficult outing, but still in domain of scrambling.
• Mt. Black Prince:  Mountaineering, requiring ropes.  From south end of Black Prince Ridge route drops into the cirque, then ascends broken cliffs.  This is technical and way above level of trips presented on this site;  I am mentioning it here for completeness only

Gallery

Smith Dorrien Creek Trail crossing Smith Dorrien Creek few minutes past the Trailhead

Talus Field Crossing of large Talus Field approaching Warspite Headwall.  Watch for cairn on the far side to pick up trail again.  Warspite Cascades center