Picklejar Lakes

Dist: 10.1km    Elev: 510m    Time: 4h    Difficulty: 3/5

After a lazy and restful vacation on the Okanagan, Melinda and I planned one final hike before reluctantly returning to work. We changed our original plans in a last-minute decision, deciding together on Picklejar Lakes as an opportunity to explore the Highwood region in which neither of us have spent much time. The trail begins by crossing the highway and ascending a grassy and heavily treed slopes at a steady rate for about an hour before cresting the high point and then dropping into a peak-bound basin containing four distinct mountain lakes within close proximity to each other. Melinda and I explored all four lakes and had lunch overlooking the third after agreeing it was the most interesting and scenic. The hike to Picklejar Lakes offered diverse views and terrain, and provided a gratifying conclusion to our summer holiday.

Climbing the initial slope. The sun was hot and constant for the entirety of the day.

Looking back as we climb.

Views of Highwood Peak open to the north as we reached the high point.

Melinda begins the rocky descent as the first lake comes into view.

The first Picklejar Lake. Highwood Peak behind.

The second Picklejar Lake.

The third lake comes into view after passing through remnants of a rockslide.

The third Picklejar Lake.

Looking back as we follow the rocky trail around the third lake.

The fourth Picklejar Lake from atop a small headwall.

Heading back. We stopped for lunch overlooking the third lake.

Another view of the fourth lake and surrounding rockwall.

One final look back as we climb out of the picturesque basin.

Views to the north are equally beautiful as we crest the high point and begin the final descent back towards the car.