What’s not to like about a hike that quickly gets you above the treeline with gobsmacking views of fluffy snow draped peaks habouring an icefield that feeds 6 major glaciers? How about a quick non-technical hike and scramble up an adjacent peak (Mount Wilcox/Wilcox Peak) for even more impressive views!

Many guide books and trail maps already extol the virtues of Jasper National Park’s Wilcox Pass trail so we won’t go into that any further other than to say even if you do not intend to summit Mount Wilcox the 4k hike to the pass alone should be on your To Do List next time you visit – the views are that good. This post will focus on accessing the summit once you have gained the pass*.

By far the easiest way to reach the summit is to follow the Wilcox Pass trail to the 4k marker. An unofficial established trail to the west will take you closer to Icefields viewing areas and is the best way to reconnect with the trails heading up mountain. At this point you are faced with two approaches on the south side of the peak to the ridgeline before the trail becomes a single braid up to the summit. We recommend following one of the northbound spines to the scree fields marking the beginning of your ascent. The gentler ‘western approach’ overlooks the Icefields Centre/Athabasca Glacier before swinging east across the mountainside while the ‘eastern approach’ offers a direct assault with more valley exposure. We found the eastern approach first so took that route up returning via the western. Looking at Wilcox from the pass you can see both routes; what you can’t see is a starting point to begin your ascent. Neither approach is accessible on what would pass as a defined trail – at this point you are basically on your own following game trails and scree fields until you find a cairn on the mountainside itself. Please Note: Due to the alpine conditions the area is quite sensitive to disturbance so please tread lightly avoiding wetland and alpine growth areas.

Once you have reached the ridge line you have another key decision to make because the ‘easy’ hiking portion of the trail soon ends and a short scramble with a minimal amount of exposure is required to make it to the top – about 20 to 30 minutes of effort. But before you make that decision have a look to the west… peaks, glaciers, and an icefield. Pretty spectacular. If you are proceeding further now would be a good time to get your gloves out as the rock you will scramble over is quite rough and sharp. The route to the top is clearly marked by cairns leading to a false summit with a brief exposed ridge/saddle crossing to the actual summit – Enjoy the view… you earned it!

*Please note: hiking to the peak is not recommended for those who are not avid hikers and is especially not recommended for those who have any fear of heights. As in any hike, there are dangerous sections of the trail that require common sense, balance, and above all safety precautions. Trail conditions change rapidly. If you do this hike, do so at your own risk.

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