HIKING IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Photo: Danyelle Magnan Photo: Danyelle Magnan Photo: Joey Vosburgh Glacier National Park has a rich natural and cultural of national significance, both historical and natural. history. The park protects unique stands of old-growth The abandoned rail-grade, stone bridges and trestle cedar and hemlock, and a great diversity of wildlife. supports, snow sheds and other structures associated The hiking trails in Glacier National Park will lead you to stunning ridges Created in 1886 following the completion of the with the railway may all be visited on self-guiding trails. and viewpoints that will make the climbs worthwhile. The Columbia Mountains Canadian Pacific Railway’s transcontinental line, the park Trails leading to spectacular glacier viewpoints were laid enticed travellers to its uncharted wilderness and the out by the Swiss guides for their clients a century ago – are steep and the valleys narrow, allowing for only a few easy hikes and a good area became the birthplace of mountaineering in North and are still waiting for you to discover the magic of the number of difficult ones.Use the trail chart below to choose a hike suitable America. Today’s explorers will find heritage resources Selkirks for yourself. for everyone in your party. Photos left to right: Hiking Balu Pass; dwarf dogwood and foam flower; mountain goats Our trails are managed to protect the safety of both bears and people. Plan Ahead and Prepare Safety Type Hiking Trail Estimated Time Distance Elevation Trail Description Remember, you are responsible for your own safety. Emergency (Return) (Return) Gain • Get advice from a Parks Canada Information Centre. Emergency Dispatch Number: Call 1-877-852-3100. Tell 1 Hemlock Grove 15 minutes 350 m loop Minimal Interpretive boardwalk through old-growth cedar-hemlock forest. dispatchers you have a backcountry emergency in Glacier National • Study trail descriptions and maps before starting. 2 Rock Garden 30 minutes 428 m loop Minimal Interpretive trail with rock staircases and stepping stones. Slippery and steep sections. • Check the weather forecast and current trail conditions. Park and require assistance. Cell phone reception is unreliable. 3 Loop Brook Trail 45 minutes 1.7 km 42 m Interpretive trail on old rail grade highlights railway history. Short steep sections. • Choose a trail suitable for the least experienced member in Keep Wildlife Wild, and Yourself Safer your group. • Travel in groups and make noise to avoid surprise encounters. HIKES 4 Meeting of the Waters 30 minutes 1.3 km loop Minimal Forest walk past the confluence of Asulkan Brook and the Illecillewaet River. • Pack adequate food, water, clothing, maps and gear. • Do not feed, touch, or approach wildlife. Stay at least 30 to 50 5 1885 2 hours 7.2 km Minimal Interpretive trail along the original Canadian Pacific rail-grade. Prone to early season flooding. • Carry a first aid kit and bear spray. metres away from most animals, and 100 metres away from bears. 6 Abandoned Rails 1 hour 2.8 km Minimal Interpretive trail along the original Canadian Pacific rail grade. • Tell somebody where you’re going, when you’ll be back and • Carry bear spray and know how to use it. SHORT 7 Bear Creek Falls 1 hour 1 km 62 m Short, steep trail down to Bear Creek Falls. who to call if you don’t return. • Pets must be on a leash at all times. • Travel with a friend or group. 8 Marion Lake 2.5 hours 4.4 km 425 m Steep forested hike along the first leg of the Abbott Ridge Trail to Marion Lake. • Be prepared for emergencies and changes in weather. Avalanches 9 Great Glacier 3.5 hours 6.4 km 321 m Trail up to the sloping bedrock below the Illecillewaet Glacier. 10 Bostock Creek 7 hours 15.6 km 740 m Moderate hike through the interior rainforest and into the subalpine forest. Stay on Maintained Trails The right combination of snow cover and slope angle can produce avalanches. Be careful when crossing snow slopes or when 11 Avalanche Crest 5 hours 8.2 km 795 m Steep trail into an alpine basin. The nearby left ridge overlooks the highway/railway corridor. • To prevent trail damage stay on the trail and avoid shortcuts. exposed to avalanche paths. Avalanche control explosive artillery 12 projectiles are fired at the slopes near the Trans-Canada highway. Balu Pass 4 hours 12.8 km 788 m Trail through avalanche paths into alpine meadows offering amazing views. Leave What You Find, and Take What You Bring Unexploded projectiles might exist. If you see one, do not touch or 13 Asulkan Valley 6 hours 13.8 km 869 m Glacier views, mountain scenery and waterfalls. Trail steepens after 4 km. • Pack out all garbage, including diapers and food waste. move it! Note its location and call 1-877-852-3100 or 911. 14 Hermit 4 hours 6.4 km 819 m Steep trail into alpine meadows. A designated campsite is located in the Hermit Meadows. • Dispose of human waste at least 100 m from any water source. Bury solid human waste in a hole 15 cm deep. Pack 15 Sir Donald 5 hours 10.2 km 1008 m Built as a mountaineering route, this rigorous hike accesses an alpine basin below the peak. More Information HIKES DAY out your toilet paper. 16 Glacier Crest 6 hours 11.4 km 958 m Steep trail up onto a ridge providing a panoramic view of rock and glacial ice. • Natural and cultural resources such as rocks, fossils, artifacts, • Parks Canada Revelstoke Office: 250-837-7500 17 Perley Rock 6 hours 10.8 km 1143 m Steep, ambitious hike ending at a high viewpoint overlooking the Illecillewaet Icefield. horns, antlers, wildflowers and nests are protected by law and must be left undisturbed for others to discover and enjoy. • Website: www.pc.gc.ca/glacier 18 Abbott Ridge 6.5 hours 13.6 km 1029 m Trail up to alpine tundra that ends on a narrow ridge. During early season take the marked • Glacier Trail Conditions Report: www.pc.gc.ca/glaciertrails short cut to avoid a steep snow slope. Backcountry • Weather: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca 19 Beaver Valley 3 days 42 km 449 m Trail passes through large stretches of old growth forest. Trail can be connected to A backcountry camping permit is required for any overnight trip. • Avalanche Reports, Information and Training: one way one way one way the Bald Hills via Caribou Pass. Random camping available beyond 5 km. There is www.avalanche.ca designated camping at the “20 Mile” campsite. Beyond 20 Mile, trail difficulty increases Random Camping as sections are obscured by vegetation and/or wash-outs. Non-designated or random camping may be permitted. Ask Parks Canada Information Centre staff for details. Done with this Brochure? The trail accesses the extensive alpine meadows of the Bald Hills. Designated 20 Bald Hills Up to 4 days 16 – 40 km 1130 m Please return for re-use to a park facility or share it with others. campsites are located at 20 Mile and at Caribou Pass. The trail is not marked between MULTI-DAY varies varies the Copperstain Pass and Caribou Pass campsites. Hikers must be experienced in route Fishing with with How was your trip? route route finding and carry a map and compass in case visibility is poor in the Bald Hills. A National Park fishing licence is required. selection selection Please send us your comments at [email protected] and report trail problems to park staff. Easy Moderate Difficult Également offert en français Legend To Hiking Trail Tupper Golden Rogers Glacier Sorcerer Glacier Trans Canada Highway Glacier Heather Mountain Mount Mount Mount Railroad Sifton Tupper McNic II 2897 m 2727 m Park Boundary PRAIRIE Campsite Backcountry Campsite Mystic Nordic Mountain Mountain Hut 14 2643 m HILLS Grizzly Rogers Pass Discovery Centre Mountain 2734 m Ursus Minor Mountain 2738 m GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Mount Shaugnessy Ursus Major 2754 m Hermit Glacier 12 Hermit Mountain Avalanche Crest Mountain 2676 m 3044 m Mount3086 Rogers m 6 Swiss Glacier 7 Lower Mount Rogers Tupper Beaver Carson Glacier Glacier Mount Valley Mount Trail Sifton Tupper Balu Pass Cheops 2897 m 2727 m Mountain 2555 m Napoleon Grizzly 14 Spur Mountain 2734 m Ursus Minor Mountain Mount 2738 m MacDonald 2869 m Moonraker Ursus Major Avalanche Peak Mountain 12 Crest Avalanche Wolverine Ridge 2830 m 6 2676 m 6 Mountain Bagheera 2831 m Mountain Balu Pass Cheops Avalanche Glacier 2755 m Avalanche FarmBostock Pass Pass Mountain Eagle Uto Copperstain Avalanche Crest Mount McGill 2555 m Peak Peak Eagle Glacier Mountain Mountain 11 2871 m 2595 m Avalanche 2656 m 2838 m BALD Cheops 2831 m McGill Pass Mountain Glacier Uto Glacier Mount 2555 m Cougar 5 Sir DonaldSir Donald Mountain 4 3247 m Napoleon 2358 m 8 15 Glacier Hiking Trails Illecillewaet Névé Spur Glacier Crest Terminal Perley HILLS 11 Eagle 2 3 9 Peak Peak Eagle Glacier 1 Hemlock Grove Christiana Ridge 18 17 Rock 10 1 Ross 2612 m 2838 m Uto Peak 19 2 Rock Garden 2319 m Mount Mount 16 Illecillewaet Upper Illecillewaet Peak Afton Abbott Glacier 2540 m 13 Lookout Beaver Campground 2871 m Uto Glacier Mount 2463 Mountain 3 Loop Green Valley 2479 m Trail Bald 2683 m Mountain 4 Meeting of the Waters Bonney Glacier Asulkan Glacier A.O.Wheeler Hut Mount To Revelstoke Wilderness 5 Lily Glacier Asulkan Illecillewaet Névé Hiking Route Sir Donald Mount Mount Jupiter Pass 5 1885 Mount Youngs 8 3247 m Swanzy 2734 m 20 4 Bonney NBonneyévé 2889 m Peak Sir Donald Vaux 6 Abandoned Rails 3080 m 2802 m 15 Mount Swanzy Glacier Campground Glacier Smart Terminal Clark Geikie Glacier Loop Brook 3 7 Bear Creek Falls 2854 m Glacier Mount Campground IllecillewaetPeak Névé Macoun 18 9 The Witch 3013 m 8 Marion Lake Tower Caribou Glacier Crest