Mount Blakiston

Mount Blakiston is the highest summit in Waterton Lakes National Park in southwestern Alberta, reaching 2,910 meters in elevation. The mountain dominates the landscape with its distinctive profile and remains visible from various viewpoints throughout the park.

The peak received its name in 1858 to honor Thomas Blakiston, a key member of the Palliser Expedition that explored western Canada. The naming recognized his contributions to mapping and surveying this remote region.

The first documented climb occurred in 1942 by J. Gibson and G. Williams, who found an existing cairn indicating earlier undocumented ascents.

The summit is accessible via the Lineham Creek Trail, which follows the southern slopes and provides a moderate scrambling route. The hike requires mountaineering experience, and late summer offers the best conditions when snow and ice are minimal.

The rock formations on the mountain display layers from the Precambrian through Jurassic periods, created in ancient shallow seas. These strata tell a story spanning millions of years of Earth's history before the Laramide orogeny shaped the landscape.