Waterton Lakes National Park May 6, 2025

Bear’s Hump

The National Park website said the Bear’s Hump Trail was in good condition for hiking. I hiked it today, and it was in excellent condition.  This steep route gets you up high quickly with immediate viewing rewards. It was a fresh cool start with a clear blue sky and a very slight breeze.  I planned for a slow go making sure to not miss a thing,

I find it much easier to hike beside the steps than using the steps. Don’t let this view give you a false sense  that it may be flat at the top of the stairs.

the view behind me very early on in the ascent 

a male Mountain Bluebird

Looking back to see the Prince of Wales Hotel looking like a toy model. 

It opens for the season on May 12th.

a Townsend’s Solitaire 

The climb is done and it’s a short flat walk from here to the view.

The View!

Upper Waterton Lake & Waterton Townsite 

My summit shot!

I stayed on the summit for forty minutes taking in the views in all directions, sitting for awhile and listening to sweet silence, admiring the tiny wildflowers and then listening to birds.  Time came to descend the Bear’s Hump as I had another plan in place to get going to.

 Cameron Lake

The gate to Cameron Lake at Little Prairie remains closed while they wait for more snow to melt at the Cameron Lake parking lot. The hike along the road is roughly three kilometres each way with some ups and downs.  I had no idea how much snow to expect when I got to the Lake.  I have hiked this route in winter a few times when it was full on big snow.  It’s a few minutes walk from where I am parked to the gate.  

I like when I can freely walk where ever I want on a road!  

I walked the line!  

I stayed on high alert the entire time for wild life.  

I had to share the road with a Robin.

still dry pavement as I near Cameron Lake parking lot

I see the Lake between the trees.  The parking lot was more pavement than snow yet it was obvious lots of work would be needed to the area before the road could be fully opened. 

very small sections are ice free

my destination shot

I absolutely love views like this. That open section of water is about two feet wide, big enough to offer up a reflection.  The edge of the Lake was clear of snow for a little distance so I went as far as I could.

another small opening of a few inches in the ice

I took a little time for some sips and snacks and to savour every single second of scenery before heading back.  The only thing I shared space with for the hike back was this American Kestrel.

This time driving back on the Akamina Parkway, the Mountain Sheep had not made it down to the road yet but they were aiming for it. I slowly drove by and captured some photos.

When I got by I stopped and looked in my side view mirror.  

I got past them just in time.