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When I tell people about my adventures in the wilderness, I am met with either you’re brave, crazy, or worse. What exactly is it about solitude in the wilderness that sparks that reaction? Bears? Marmots? Safety? I really don’t know. In many ways, I don’t know what I am doing and maybe never will. But I do know the effect of being outside it has on me, and that is all I need. From my perspective, the combination of mountain solitude and history makes any hike a special one. Hidden between AB and BC, Paget Peak is one of those places that is unbelievably beautiful yet not crowded. So if you’re after solitude, this trail may be the best in Yoho.

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Paget Peak Lookout History

Built in 1944, Mount Paget Lookout is the oldest surviving fire lookout in the national parks. It defines a historical perspective that dates back to the early 1920’s. This was a time when park forests were primarily valued for timber or tourist scenery. It was manned from May to September and by the 1970’s, air patrols and satellite remote sensing were used to detect fires. Lookout towers fell into history. If you never heard of Mount Paget Lookout, you are not alone. It is hidden away in Yoho, NP.

Paget Peak Fire Lookout
Paget Peak Fire Lookout

Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park, established in 1885 as Canada’s second protected area, sits on the western side of the Continental Divide and is next door to Banff National Park. It boasts stunning mountain scenery, vertical rock walls, glacier lakes, waterfalls, the second-highest waterfall in Canada, Takakkaw Falls and a world-renowned fossil site, the Burgess Shale. If you haven’t been, go now.

How To Get To The Paget Peak

The Paget Peak trailhead is located just off the Trans Canada Highway near the turn-off for Lake O’Hara and Wapta Falls. From Calgary, drive west along Highway 1. You will have two options for parking, first in the Great Divide Lodge parking lot and second past the Lodge to your right.

Scrambling The Paget Peak

TH To Paget Lookout

The Paget Peak trail starts out in a wooded area where you will gain gentle elevation for the first 1.4 km or so. The TH is actually marked by a metal gate, and you’ll find it right next to the parking lot. After the first 1.4 km, you’ll come to a fork in the trail. Hiking left will take you to Sherbrooke Lake; hiking right will take you to the Paget Peak scramble and the Paget Peak Lookout. It takes around one hour to reach the lookout from the trailhead. No scree, no scramble, no views. I did it in a dress.

Paget Lookout To Paget Peak

If you want to continue to Paget Peak, you will set off on the dirt trail that ascends rapidly into the trees. Follow the path, and after a short distance, the trail turns into a scree trail. At first, the ascent is not too steep, but that changes quickly. You’ll see what appears to be the summit, but it’s a false summit and another one after that.

There is no right or wrong way to get to the summit, it’s up and it’s steep. The trails become slightly difficult to follow as it mixes with large boulders. It remains steep until you get to the peak.

The Mount Paget summit is breathtaking. I know I always say that, but it is so true. In one direction, you are looking directly at Sherbrooke Lake in the valley below Mount Ogden. And on the opposite side, you will see the incredible Mount Bosworth. The 360 views will take your breath away. Simple.

Paget Peak is a scramble. It is steep, and there is no clear trail, just cairns. Potential routes are going in different directions, and it’s hard to know whether you are on the actual path. However, if you pay attention to your footing, it is not hard at all. So tread carefully. The poles are useless until you descend.

Paget Peak
Paget Peak
Paget Peak
Paget Peak

So when is a hike, not a hike? The moment you need anything other than your feet and hiking poles to move, you’re not hiking, you’re scrambling. It’s a fuzzy space where hiking ends and scrambling begins and it is quite a debate. I suggest reading this article to understand that a hike isn’t always a hike.

Paget Lookout To Sherbrook Lake

On the way down, you can take a detour to Sherbrook Lake. There’s a sign that forks to the right, and it’s about 1.6 km one way to the lake. The terrain is mostly flat and marshy. There is no actual shore, just small stone beaches, so you may want to find a rock or a log to sit along the water. It’s a nice hike overall. The lake itself is stunning and is a perfect idea for a summer swim in the incredibly tranquil water.

The Paget Peak Stats

Distance: 10.6 km
Difficulty: hard
Elevation: 958 m
Time: 3:28:52

Mount Ogden

LNT

LNT is built on seven principles that promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. The principles include:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

What To Pack For Paget Peak

  • Daypack
  • Water (2 L bladder)
  • Snacks
  • Layers/Rain/Wind Jacket
  • Hiking Boots
  • Socks (good wool socks make a difference)
  • Trekking Poles 
  • First Aid
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen, Bug Spray, Bear Spray
  • DRESS !!

Related

If you like Yoho, you will love reading about Lake O’Hara.

Happy Trails!!