Getting Started

It was a brisk morning in mid-June when we started our journey to Wilcox Pass in Jasper National Park. The sky was a canvas of ocean blue, dotted with sugar-spun clouds, and the weather conditions were good.

It was a perfect day for hiking in the mountains, and we were thrilled to get started. Our expectations were high because this trail was recommended to us by someone we had just met, a local person.

As we set off from the trailhead, the path wound through a timber area of squatty spruce and fir trees. The scent of pine and the feel of a spongy, damp forest floor beneath our feet motivated us to move quickly through the trees. The trail was well-marked as it meandered uphill at a modest incline.

The forest soon gave way to a series of switchbacks that climbed steadily upward. With the ascent, the trees thinned, offering glimpses of the expansive landscape beyond. About two miles in was an overlook.

Located there were a couple of Adirondack-style chairs for people to use while looking down the valley.

It was a gathering spot for hikers to socialize, but better yet, it was where most of them chose to turn around, allowing us to enjoy the remaining climb away from the crowds.

From that moment on, the trail considerably steepened until we reached the alpine meadow, where many hikers were unwilling to go.

Wilcox Pass Trail – 7.2 Mile Out & Back – 1,348 ft Elevation Gain – Rated 4.6 Hard

The Alpine Meadow

After the steep switchbacks, the trail transitioned to the alpine meadows where the elevation gain was more gradual and even flat in sections.

The path was mostly free of snow, but there were places where it was still covered. In those areas, it was sometimes unclear exactly where the trail was.

The best we could do was follow the footprints of hikers before us and hope the snowy and/or muddy conditions would lead us to our destination.

Because of the trail conditions, our paced slowed as we navigated the terrain. Water flow was all around us as the melting snow found its way to larger streams that we navigated through.

The meadow was colorful, with a diverse array of spring vegetation beginning to poke out of the ground, their vibrant hues slowly emerging from the earth, yet they were not in bloom. The breeze carried the scent of nature awakening from its winter slumber, with the promise of more colorful days ahead.

With each step, we were in awe of the beauty surrounding us. It was inspiring.

The mountains, with their jagged peaks and snow-capped summits, stood in an ominous fashion daring us to explore them. They seemed to be close to us, yet far at the same time as our feet led us to their base.

The Plateau

Two thirds of the way in, the trail led to a fork. Leading straight away, the path continued through the alpine meadow.

To the north was the trail leading to the plateau and the elevated overlook of Athabasca Glacier. This was the direction we opted for.

From this point, the trail went uphill mostly but it did include some downhill variations into shallow valleys.

One moment we traversed rocky terrain, the next we walked through areas of soft, cushiony moss or ankle-deep snow.

While the varied terrain made the hike more interesting, I couldn’t always see our final destination and had no sense of how much further we had to go to reach the plateau.

Gail assisted me somewhat in this regard. While I frequently paused to take pictures of the landscape, she continued to walk ahead and soon was half a mile away or more.

Even from that distance, I could see her fit figure walking the path and climbing over boulders, her silhouette becoming smaller from my view as she marched towards the top.

Panoramic Views

The trail eventually led us to a ridge with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges. The most dramatic site was that of Athabasca Glacier. It was located directly across the twisted curves of the Icefields Parkway far below.

From our vantage point, we could see the lodge and the parking areas for the glacier. The venue, full of cars and people coming and going, is one of Alberta’s most popular attractions, but our view of the glacier was quietly grand as we gazed at it standing together alone hand-in-hand.

With this being our final destination of our hike and we took time to celebrate the moment.

Although the elevation on the ridge was not the highest point on the mountain, it felt like a perfect place to soak in the majestic Canadian Rockies.

It was also the place for a rest, a meal, and a short nap before heading back down.

The Descent

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the landscape, we made our way back down the trail. The return journey offered a different perspective.

I could not stop taking pictures. The feeling of amazement with nature’s beauty I felt while climbing to the plateau did not leave me on the descent.

I could not think of another place I had ever been that offered a sense of vastness that Wilcox Pass provided. It seemed the trail went on forever, and the journey carved images into my memory that will always be with me.

Reflecting on the Journey

Back at the trailhead, we took a moment to reflect on our journey. Similar to Parker Ridge, Wilcox Pass had exceeded all our expectations. It offered a glimpse into the wild, unspoiled beauty of Jasper National Park. The memories of the towering snowy peaks, the vibrant meadows, and the sense of solitude and peace were real.

There were still so many trails to explore and views to discover in the world. But this hike gave us a profound sense of wonder and gratitude that only such a journey can inspire. Wilcox Pass is a place in a category of its own and one we hope to return to one day.