Little Lougheed
Spray Lakes Area, Kananaskis
(Unmarked at GR200470)
December 31, 2001

Lying in the shadow of Mount Lougheed is a subpeak that I call "Little Lougheed" that enjoys a long season and enjoyable scrambling through a boulder field.

The trailhead is at an unnamed creek that flows between Mt. Lougheed and Mt. Sparrowhawk. A small clearing on the east side of the Smith Dorrien Road marks the creek and the start of this trip (GR183460).

Along the north side of the creek, follow a trail for 5 or 10 minutes before leaving it to head up the treed slope. The ascent begins on an easy grade but soon steepens. Within 30 minutes from starting you should reach a boulder field. Most of the boulders can be skirted on the right, it's more fun to scramble straight through them. The cliff face at the top of the field can be circumvented by either going along its base or by climbing along its ridge. A knob (GR195464) marks the top of the boulder field and the halfway point – a good place for a rest stop. After the knob, follow the ridge to the summit.

Travel eases as trees thin. At one point you can expect to encounter a section of hip-deep snow late in the season, but shortly you'll be back on dry ground. Eventually you'll break out of the trees onto a talus slope. Now it's short climb to the summit.

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