Trails 17 Perley Rock Planning your trip Overview map 12.8 km* (return) | 1145 m elevation change | 6 hrs Natural trail and boulder fields | Very steep Hiking in Glacier National Park offers you the chance to Trailhead: Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground WHERE TO GO? Spring (early May to late June): High elevation trails explore the Columbia Mountains whether minutes from your are snow-bound and may be subject to avalanche hazard. An ambitious day hike in the park ending at a high viewpoint car or hours from the nearest road. Trails range from short, Select a trip that best suits your party’s abilities, Trails are muddier at this time and the best hiking is at overlooking the Illecillewaet Icefield and Abbott Ridge. valley-bottom strolls, to steep, tough climbs. Whatever trail experience, interests, and the time you have available. lower elevations. Hiking & you choose, come prepared for travel in a rugged mountain Estimated time to complete trails ranges depending on trail environment and unpredictable weather. distances, fitness levels, weather and trail conditions. Summer (early July to mid-September): Prime hiking 18 Abbott Ridge season. Some snow may linger on higher elevation trails * Many trails in the park can be accessed from either until mid-July. Subalpine wildflowers typically bloom in Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground EASY 15.6 km* (return) | 1030 m elevation change | 6.5 hrs August. Camping parking lots. If you are hiking from the Illecillewaet | Natural trail Very steep • Suitable for those with little or no trail experience. Campground, subtract 2 km from the trail length. Trailhead: Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground Fall (mid-September to early October): Autumn in the • Flat to gently rolling with few obstacles. mountains brings shorter days and cooler temperatures. Trail up to alpine tundra that ends on a narrow ridge. During • Little or no elevation change. Trail bridges are typically removed between late September early season take the marked short cut to avoid a steep and early October for the winter. Rob Buchanan snow slope. DAY HIKES MODERATE Rain or snow can fall any time of year in the mountains. Be prepared for unpredictable weather conditions and always 19 Lower Beaver Valley • Suitable for those with basic trail experience. check the forecast before embarking on your trip. • Gently rolling with short, steep sections and Follow steep trails from dense hemlock and spruce forest to 10.2 km (return) | 320 m elevation change | 3.5 hrs infrequent obstacles. PASSES, PERMITS AND RESERVATIONS rewarding alpine views. The hiking season is very short at Natural trail | Gently rolling with some steep sections • Moderate elevation change. high elevations because of the deep snowpack. Trailhead: 10 km east of Rogers Pass Discovery Centre A national park pass is required when visiting any national See Planning your trip for tips on seasonality. Water park. Revenues support visitor services and facilities. If you sources can be limited, especially at higher elevations. This rare valley bottom trail winds through rich old growth DIFFICULT are staying in the park overnight you will also require: forest. Listen closely for the hum of the Mount Macdonald Ian Houghton railway tunnel’s ventilation fans in the distance. • Suitable only for those with trail experience. • A camping permit for Illecillewaet or Loop Brook 8 Marion Lake Turn right at junction (5.1 km): maintained trail ends • Long, steep sections with frequent obstacles. Campground. Fire permits are required. shortly after at the Grizzly Creek bridge. The Upper Beaver • Major elevation change. • A backcountry camping permit (wilderness pass) for 6.4 km* (return) | 425 m elevation change | 2.5 hrs Valley Trail beyond Grizzly Creek is no longer maintained Hermit Meadows (reservable) and Sir Donald (non- Natural trail | Steep and is not recommended. Visitors enter at their own risk. reservable) backcountry campgrounds and random Trailhead: Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground Turn left at junction: A 2.4 km return side trip WHEN TO GO? camping. Également offert en français Hermit Meadows (unmaintained) is possible up to Copperstain Bridge. The Steep forested hike to a small subalpine lake along the first Most trails in Glacier National Park are accessed off the • An overnight parking permit to park overnight at The nearest fuel and food amenities to trail is closed beyond this point. leg of the Abbott Ridge Trail. Trans-Canada Highway. Some trailheads or day use areas Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground trailheads. Glacier National Park are located in the may not be accessible until late June due to avalanche communities of Golden and Revelstoke. Find out how to book at pc.gc.ca/glacier-camping Meeting of the Waters| Trail hazard and snow. SHORT HIKES 9 Great Glacier 20 Bald Mountain Wilderness Route Closed in 2021 8.4 km* (return) | 320 m elevation change | 2.5 hrs Double black trail rating: suitable for well prepared visitors Looking for a shorter outing? These lower elevation trails Natural trail and rock | Moderately steep with exceptional trail and navigation experience. are snow-free first and just off the Trans-Canada Highway. Trailhead: Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground 30 km (return) | 1125 m elevation change Frontcountry camping Backcountry camping Wildlife & people Visiting with dogs Welcome to Several follow the path of former railgrades that were active Originally leading to the Illecillewaet Glacier, the trail now Distance and elevation change varies with route selection before the Connaught and Mount Macdonald tunnels routed Glacier National ends at sloping bedrock out of sight of the receding glacier. Trailhead: Safe access is only available via the Spillimacheen rail travel underground. provincial forest service road which begins at Parson, B.C. These unserviced campgrounds are 2 km apart and located The park’s two designated backcountry campgrounds Glacier National Park is home to wildlife including wolves, Dogs cause stress for wildlife. Dogs may be seen as a close to the action in Rogers Pass with access to trails and primarily serve as basecamps for mountaineering, and are cougars, grizzly bears and black bears. To successfully threat, like a coyote or wolf, or as food. Off-leash dogs can Park 10 Bostock Creek This wilderness hiking route crosses rolling subalpine 1 Hemlock Grove Boardwalk meadows that form the east boundary of the park. exceptional scenery. See Planning your trip for details. open for camping only when bear-proof storage and privies raise their young and sustain a healthy population, wildlife trigger aggressive behaviour from wildlife such as grizzly Deep in the heart of the Columbia Mountains in British have melted clear of snow. While the trails to these sites need access to as much quality habitat with as few human bears. Please consider leaving your dog at home. 15.6 km (return) | 740 m elevation change | 7 hrs The route receives no maintenance. Hikers should have the Columbia, Glacier National Park is known for steep peaks, 350 m (loop) | Minimal elevation change | 15 min ILLECILLEWAET CAMPGROUND may appear short, they are extremely steep and grueling surprises as possible. Natural trail | Moderately steep skills, equipment and experience required for route finding To prevent unsafe situations, it is your responsibility to: moss-draped old growth forests and an annual snowfall Boardwalk | Flat to gently rolling 60 sites | Flush toilets | Kitchen shelters ascents, especially with a full pack! Trailhead: 4 km east of western park boundary and travel in remote mountain environments. • Give wildlife space. Approaching wildlife causes them to of over 14 metres. Stop to enjoy a scenic picnic area, Trailhead: Hemlock Grove day use area • Ensure all domestic animals are on a leash and under The largest campground in the park, this area doubles as a A backcountry camping permit (wilderness pass) is lose their natural fear of people. Help keep them wild by hike the trails of early mountaineers or steep yourself in Hike from the interior rainforest into the subalpine forest. control at all times. A ramped boardwalk offering a barrier-free rainforest major trailhead. Illecillewaet is pronounced ill ah SIL-ah-wet required. See Planning your trip for details. Wood fires maintaining a distance of 100m for larger species such history at Rogers Pass, the last barrier to the completion experience amongst devil’s club and towering cedar and (or ill a silhouette) and comes from a Sinixt First Nation word of any kind are not permitted. Gas stove use only. as bears and 30m for species such as deer. • Pick up and dispose of your pet’s waste appropriately. of the Canadian Pacific Railway. hemlock. Pavement leading up to the trail is uneven due to 11 Avalanche Crest meaning “big water”. Hike to alpine glaciers and tour the root damage. HERMIT MEADOWS CAMPGROUND adjacent ruins of Glacier House. 100 m / 330’ Dogs are not allowed on the Balu Pass Trail 10.2 km* (return) | 795 m elevation change | 5 hrs 8 tent sites | Privy | Bear-proof storage or anywhere within the Connaught Creek Natural trail | Steep LOOP BROOK CAMPGROUND Designated summer backcountry campground in a rocky drainage. 2 Rockgarden Trailhead: Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground 20 sites | Flush toilets area at the end of Hermit Trail. Enjoy panoramic views of 430 m (loop) | Minimal elevation change | 30 min One of the best scenic trails in the park. Hike into an Loop Brook Campground offers a quieter experience with many impressive peaks and glaciers of Rogers Pass. Natural trail with uneven stepping stones | Steep sections open alpine basin nestled between Avalanche Crest to smaller campsites. Follow trails past the ghostly Trailhead: 1.5 km east of Hemlock Grove day use area the left and a ridge off Eagle Peak. The nearby left ridge remains of tall stone railway trestles and snowsheds. SIR DONALD CAMPGROUND 30 m / 100’ overlooks the highway/railway corridor.