Wilcox Pass

Wilcox Pass is a high alpine valley just east of the Icefields Visitor Center and the Athabasca Glacier. The trail begins close to the treeline so that in less than 20 minutes we left the trees behind and entered extensive meadows and views of the Athabasca Glacier and its surrounding peaks, which are some of the highest and most dramatic in the Canadian Rockies. It is recognized as one of the finest day hikes in Jasper Park.

The drive from Whistlers Campground to the Icefields Visitor Center is 64 miles and takes one hour and ten minutes. The mountain views along the way are stunning. The picture above is of the mountain range just south of Whistlers.

Close-up of the picture above.

More jagged peaks...

along the way.

Closer to the Icefield and beginning to see glaciers.

Looking up-valley in the picture above and seeing the beginnings of a glacier.

Reaching the treeline on our hike and a cloud shrouded view of Mount Athabasca.

When we reached Wilcox Pass we continued on up to Wilcox Peak and views of Athabasca Glacier. This picture was taken just below the peak and...

here's Frederick conquering Wilcox Peak. It was cold, lower 40's and windy on the top.

We came down, just below the peak, to a protected area for our lunch. Occasionally the sun would shine and that would feel so good! This is looking south, in the general direction of Banff.

And this is north, toward Jasper. That's the Dome Glacier.

Our straight ahead lunch view - Athabasca Glacier.

Lunch view - south.

Lunch view -north.

Back at Wilcox Pass, the geology is dramatic with the sedimentary layers pushed up on end and showing perpendicular.

Heading down from Wilcox Peak to the Pass, so long and flat it is difficult to recognize it as a pass. You can see the yellow diamonds on the cairns marking the trail.

Following is a series of pictures of Mount Athabasca; here the peak is topped with clouds. That is Athabasca Glacier to the right.

Traveling back across the alpine tundra and the summit meadows. The heavily-glaciated north face of Mount Athabasca is visible to the south.

The clouds are lifting from Mount Athabasca.

Beautiful view of the trail passing through the alpine meadows above the treeline.

Heading back towards the trees.

The trail along the edge of a gully containing a small stream.

Just before we headed into the trees, we found two, red, Parks Canada chairs on an open ridge overlooking the Icefields Parkway and the Athabasca Glacier. 

Today's hike:

Length - 6.56 miles (10.4 km)

Duration - 3 hours, 45 minutes

Elevation gain - 1,639 feet (490 meters)