Forum Peak and Akamina Ridge - Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park - British Columbia, Canada

2022-08-17 - one of the most popular hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park is Akamina Ridge, one of the three "Triple Crown" hikes advertised as the best hikes in the park (along with Crypt Lake and Carthew-Alderson). That being said the only thing about the hike being in Waterton is the actual trailhead as well as a short distance (about 1Km) to the B.C. border. From there the route is in Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park. Nevertheless, it is considered a Waterton hike as people rarely come into the area from the west.
I had been to Forum Peak five times previously (1 attempt, 4 successful summits) and always found it to be a great adventure. On two occasions I went down to monument #272 which marks the border between the traditional territory of the Blackfoot (Niitsitapi) and Ktunxa (Kootenay) peoples; the state of Montana and provinces of B.C. and Alberta; the park boundaries between Glacier, Waterton and Akamina-Kishinena; and, finally the line between the USA and Canada. Not wanting to create an international incident I have never crossed the border here. haha
The peak is also personally significant in that it is the first peak in the Canadian Rockies that my partner Melissa had climbed. She found that scramble and hike so personally satisfying that she has hiked with me often since then and even marked the day, literally, by tattooing the coordinates of Forum Peak on her right forearm.
I had continued on to Akamina Ridge from Forum twice before. There is a good trail that comes up from Forum Lake that is easy to find and follow. There is not a lot of elevation gain from Forum to the high point and the views steadily improve, especially of the glaciers and daunting peaks in Glacier NP.
From the high point it's an easy walk down to Bennett Pass and from there to Wall Lake. This beautiful lake is the destination for most hikers and is a popular family hike. From Wall Lake it's an even easier stroll through a forested trail back to the trailhead.
References:
Alan Kane. (2017). Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies. Calgary, AB: Rocky Mountain Books.
Online:
bobspirko.ca/Wa...
Music:
Into and Outro - "Arms" by The Paper Kites
"Be Around", "I Got You, Honey" and "Tracks" by Ocie Elliott

[@darrellzelinsky7095]

I love the music choices and the video. Thanks for posting.

[@bearlycamping]

Crazy to see the Akamina trailhead with all the burnt trees. This loop is such an epic hike I did it in 2011 and 2016. Nice to see it captured in HD 👌

[@allstoneadventures8765]

It looks a lot different doesn't it? I'm glad you got to do the loop before it burned!

[@mikehamilton9743]

Another great video. In 1965 (give or take a year) 3 of us took your route only we dropped down the West end of Akimina Ridge and followed the creek to Upper Kintla Lake. We then took the trail to Goat Haunt. It took us 15 hours. It was nice to see some of that country again on this video. Of course the border was pretty relaxed in those days.

[@ernestbrazzoni599]

Very nice video