Notes: Easy scrambling if returning by ascent route. Kananaskis Conservation Pass Required.
Trip Report
Little Lougheed is a short objective with amazing views over Spray Lakes. We had tired ourselves out the previous day and were eager to follow a popular, well-trodden trail today. Nugara classifies this one as a moderate scramble, but we never found it to exceed easy scrambling.
Beginning up Spencer Creek. The short peak left of center is our objective for the day, Little Lougheed.Some brief navigation was required to zig-zag across a mountain biking trail before continuing up to this point. Here we’re rising up through the trees, with Spray Lakes in the background.The trail follows along this cliff edge. The easier route up the left side of the peak starts to come into view.Looking back at the large snow patches still lingering in May. Thankfully a trail was already broken for us on this popular objective.Reaching the top! Mount Lougheed stands above Little Lougheed, making for impressive views.To the southeast lies Mount SparrowhawkSummit panorama.Looking northwest over Spray Lakes, framed by Old Goat Mountain (left) and Big Sister (right).Nugara’s alternative descent didn’t sound appealing in early season conditions, so we simply returned the way we’d come. On the way back, we unknowingly replicated the cover photo from the 3rd edition of More Scrambles.
We arrived back at the highway in 3 hrs 45 min. It sounds like the alternative descent would bump this up to a moderate scramble, consistent with Nugara’s rating. But, by our route, the scrambling was never beyond easy.
Peak Bliss 