Packenham Junior Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

We parked on the shoulder of the highway, just north of Hood Creek, where we would start our ascent. Photo credit: Dad

Passing through a funky wall of Poplar trees as we followed above the north side of the creek. Photo credit: Kaitlyn

The creek soon became canyon-like, and we continued gaining elevation above it, following bits of faint trail.

Looking back, as Kaitlyn follows along a good section of trail. Photo credit: Dad

Continuing along the narrow trail, as the summit slope comes into view! Photo credit: Kaitlyn

The rain had been taunting us for the entirety of our ascent, but we soon found ourselves in a full-on downpour, and were forced to bring out some more protection! Photo credit: Kaitlyn

The slope steepened considerably before the summit, and things got quite interesting on the steep, slick grass! I must admit that choosing to wear my old, beat up boots (who's grips had seen much better days) probably didn't help much...Even so, I don't know if any form of rubber is much of a match for this type of terrain! Might want to bring spikes for these kind of conditions!

As we neared the summit, wet grass just wasn't enough, and we went into full-on survival mode, slowly crawling up this slippery slope of doom on all fours! So much for hands-in-pocket scrambling...LOL. Should’ve asked the local for some advice...mind you, he's on all fours too, sooo...¯\_(ツ)_/¯

To our relief, the slope finally tapered off, and we easily followed the final ridge to the summit! Photo credit: Dad

Nice...my favourite...Snow! :| Fits the day quite perfectly to be honest!

Happy to finally be off the Slip 'N Slide!

Summit register!

The notebook wasn't the only thing we found in the ammo box... Photo credit: Kaitlyn

Summit selfie! haha, this is a funny one! Photo credit: Dad

The summit might have been freezing, but the low clouds made up for it with some incredibly unique views!

The summit of Packenham Jr. is a great spot to view Grizzly Peak's ascent slope, as well as its eye-catching summit cliffs! I have fond memories of rippin' up (and down) that one with my dad last summer!

Mount Packenham (for which Junior over here is named) is quite an impressive sight to say the least!

Mount Hood is the next summit over in the beautiful Opal Range!...Lucky for me (unlike Packenham), it's a scramble! Definitely just launched itself up to the top of my to-do list!

At 3097m, Mount Evan-Thomas is the highest peak in the vicinity! Its summit, however, is hidden.

Looking down the hidden valley, between the smaller highway-front peaks, and the monstrous Opal Range behind! King Creek Ridge is on the right, and classifies as one of the "smaller highway-front peaks".

These low, scattered clouds, that were constantly in motion, held my attention for a good chunk of our summit stay!

Lower Kananaskis Lake is barely visible below the thick low clouds in the opposite direction.

The clouds begin to dissipate from Mount Packenham, revealing the pure, dark nature of the rock making up its daunting summit block! There's no better viewpoint for admiring Packenham's west face!

Another highlight view! Mount Lawson is the long ridge on the opposite side of the highway.

My dad and I on the summit of Packenham Jr. with Grizzly Peak rising in the background (also classifies as one of the "smaller highway-front peaks", but that doesn't mean it can't be impressive!). Photo credit: Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn and my dad likewise.

Starting back down.

Looking back up the beautifully gentle upper slopes, before the dreaded descent of the Slip 'N Slide!

The clouds continued to move around us as we made our descent.

Looks like someone took a hint from the local, and found themselves a couple extra legs! I, on the other hand, grabbed the sharpest rock I could find, and dug it into the slope with my uphill hand, clinging on for dear life! LOL. Maybe I should get myself some of those stick things...

Kinda shows the slope's steepness...Who knew that such an innocent looking peak could be so terrifying when wet!

Brief opening to Mount Lawson across the valley.

After a slow, methodical descent down the waterslide slopes above, we were eventually back on safer ground! It's smooth sailing from here...right?

Clouds are cool!...But they can also be dangerous! We got a bit disoriented in the fog, and eventually began to feel off about where we were. We continued on tentatively, searching for signs of familiarity, but soon found ourselves faced with what appeared to be a significant drop ahead! We quickly discovered that we were on the far-south edge of the ridge, with Hood Creek directly below, and that we had to regain some elevation and traverse to skier's right to avoid the cliffs ahead! Photo credit: Kaitlyn

Photo from ascent of where we were!

Looking back, as Mount Hood is almost fully revealed in the constantly shifting clouds!

Back on the safety of the trail, can't get lost now! Photo credit: Kaitlyn

Ending off an exciting (much more so than expected) day with a wet, chilly hike back to the highway! Photo credit: Kaitlyn