Kinglet Lake Hike

Trailhead: Park next to the David Thompson #11 highway at the Kinglet Lake – Tuff Puff Trailhead. 3.5kms west of Two O’clock Creek Campground. 211kms west of Rocky Mountain House.

Description: The trailhead is marked with a wooden sign post located next to an unnamed creek. Park in the ditch then follow an old road for a few hundred meters. Locate a well defined trail that starts to gain the ridge in front of you. Keep hiking up avoiding trails to your right that lead to the icefalls loop.

Stay on the trail as it works it way up towards the left side of the ridge. You’ll soon arrive at a grassy clearing which is the start of what looks like a never ending trail towards the mountain ridge you see in the distance. Continue up the grassy ridge until you pass a large rocky outcrop on your left. Keep your eyes on the ground here and look for trail markings to Kinglet Lake and Tuff Puff Ridge.

At your feet you’ll see the words KING–> and TUFF–>spelled out with rocks. The trail to your left leads to Kinglet Lake, the trail straight ahead leads towards Tuff Puff. Take the left Kinglet Lake trail that drops slightly down towards the creek bed before ascending. Once you reach the creek the grind begins a steep climb for another 2+kms. As you gain elevation you’ll pass by a curious looking group of hoodoos located below an exposed cliff.

This is a nice spot to admire the views of the North Saskatchewan river valley below. The trail is steep and relentless at this point. It then enters the forest again for a short distance before arriving at the lake. Kinglet Lake is crystal clear and surrounded by an interesting forest of wind swept Subalpine Fir and Engelmann Spruce.

There are several flat spots for tents that are nicely sheltered by trees. If you plan on spending the night bring a small camp stove. There’s not enough deadfall or a twig left for fire. At one time Kinglet Lake was stocked with Cutthroat and Brook Trout however it is regulated for catch and release only. Check local fishing regulations. The lakes small size can not sustain a strong fish population. You are in bear country

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