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Hiking in the Canadian Rockies/Day Hikes/Kananaskis/South Kananaskis/Ptarmigan Cirque
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Information
Day Hike PD
Distance - approximately 3.6km one way.
Height Gain - approx. 250-300m
Access
Route 40 from the Trans Canada Highway will take you to the trailhead. Look for signs for Highwood Pass after passing Peter Laugheed Provincial Park. The trailhead starts on the West side of the road before crossing into the main trail.
The Hike
Ptarmigan Cirque is a reliatively short but sweet hike off of Highwood Pass. After a strong elevation gain to get above the tree line, the route explodes into a breathtaking circular alpine meadow complete with a glacial stream. One can continue further up towards the ever-receding glacier, but I recommend taking a lunch and having a picknick by the waterfall. Look for bighorn sheep.