Kananaskis Fire Lookout

Trailhead: Park at the Boulton Creek Campground 63kms south on the #60 Kananaskis Trail highway. 152kms west of Calgary. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Kananaskis Country.

Description: Kananaskis Fire Lookout is a very popular hike during the summer months and a favorite for mountain bikers. Locate the Whiskey Jack trailhead behind the Boulton Creek Campground Trading Post. Follow the paved trail past the amphitheater and continue on towards the back of the campground where the fire lookout gavel access road begins.

Hiking up the fire road is a bit of a drudge with little to see. Follow the road approximately 4kms as it slowly climbs until you reach the Tyrwhitt Fire Lookout junction. Stay right at the junction and continue on another 2kms until you reach the lookout. Once you arrive at the lookout you’ll be rewarded with excellent views of the Kananaskis Lakes, surrounding valleys and the abundance of wildflowers. It’s well worth the effort.

An alternate descent route is down the south side of the lookout towards the Hydro Line Trail. Once you reach the Hydro Line and cutline turn right and follow it all the way out to the Elk Lakes Parking lot located a short distance from the Boulton Creek Trading Post. It is possible to come out at Boulton creek however you’ll need a map to navigate the maze of ski trails. When hiking Hydro Line Trail, keep an eye out for Grizzly Bears. During the summer months the cutline provides choice vegetation for bears.

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Map PDF