Category: Trip Reports

Trip Reports

Athabasca Pass West Trail

ACC Columbia Mountains Section

Our Alpine Club section has an agreement to maintain the west side of the Athabasca Pass trail with BC Recreation Sites & Trails from March, 2021 to March, 2026. The east side of the trail is within Jasper National Park, and info on that section can be found on their website including a PDF with info about campsites on the east side. Making a full traverse is difficult because of the Simon Creek crossing on the eastern side. (Photo by Marie Bellefeuille)

Maps and route info:

GPX track

https://arcg.is/1CP0mr0

Basic hiking route is on Gaia GPS app – “Satellite Topo (Meters)” layer. Backroads Mapbooks (available in the paid/Pro layer in the app) has more detailed maps of the forest service roads to access the boat launch and trailhead.

Trail Condition:

The western section of the Athabasca Pass trail was maintained in the fall of 2022 – yellow trail markers and additional footing support and a handrail were added to a log across Jefferey Creek to make a bridge, in addition to clearing the first 12 km or so. That said, the trail receives very little traffic and its ongoing condition is more like a 16km advised bushwack.

Trailhead Access

From Revelstoke, drive north on Route 23 past Mica Dam. Then, the road turns to dirt. Follow logging roads to this point/launch site:

There is a good campsite with a bear hang directly across the lake, with good access to the road. Access to the trailhead is difficult because it requires crossing the Kinbasket Lake (a reservoir of the Columbia River known for changing water levels, cold water temps, and high winds) and travelling an additional 30km of logging roads and/or landing a boat near the Wood River bridge. The shortest crossing is gated and not accessible, as a timber ferry leaves from that point. There is a slightly longer crossing which is indicated on the map above. As of summer 2023, the roads are in great condition and can be ridden on gravel bikes for the most part, with some bushiness for the final 3km or so.

If you are able and willing, it could also be possible to land a boat near the Wood River Bridge (see diagram, courtesy of Trevor Wilson)

Assorted Trail Inspiration:

Article in Revelstoke Review on the maintenance trip in 2022 by Donna Naprstek

Background article by CBC about why Simon Creek Bridge isn’t being replaced (2023)

Instagram recap of out-and-back canoe, bike, and run (2023)

Sprague Bay (BC Rec Sites): http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC6062&type=Site
Boat Encampment National Historic site info https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=110 

Athabasca Pass Trail East info from Parks: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/passez-stay/arrierepays-backcountry/sugg-sentiers_trip-ideas#seven
Updated East Trail Conditions: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/activ-experience/sentiers-trails/etat-sentiers-trail-conditions
Athabasca Pass Trail Info:
https://hiiker.app/trails/alberta/alberta/athabasca-pass-trail/map
https://trailpeak.com/trails/athabasca-pass-near-jasper-ab-1833

Trip Reports

Canmore Ice, March 2023

ACC Columbia Mountains Section

Ben and I (Martin) lead a group of 4 participants in the first ACC CMS Introduction to Ice on March 10-11, 2023. Bags packed and loaded, we left Revelstoke at 0600 and made one stop in Golden before arriving at our first destination, Cedar Creek Steeps.

After a nice hike, we arrived at the large steep ice flow, towering over 30m. The group discussed the hazards and risks upon arrival to an ice climbing area and positioning ourselves to mitigate the hazards.

Participants were eager to learn, donning crampons and ice tools, we went through the basic movements of ice from swinging and positioning tools, kicking with crampons, and using the A-frame. At the end of the day everyone had some exposure to what ice climbing is, setting themselves up for another day of ice climbing. We departed the climbing area and set our compass to the Canmore Hostel that evening.

As Chef Ben was preparing our dinner, we were busy organizing ourselves for the next day. A tasty dinner was consumed and a reflection of the day was shared among the group.

On our second day, we went to Johnston Canyon. With overnight lows of -21, everyone was eager to get out and play. We arrived early in the parking lot and started the hike in. As we approached the climbing area, we crossed a creek (on an icy snow bridge) past some ice steps. On this day however, the area quickly got busy. Luckily we were able to set up lines on a steeper section and members were able to experience the joys of hooking on picked-out ice climbs.

At the end of the day, we arrived at the parking lot in good time, and before heading home we had a small debrief about how the day went, what participants learned that day, and what we can improve.

Overall, it was a very successful trip, and ice conditions were better than I imagined given that we are in March already. Much thanks to Ben, Katee, and Sara for helping in organizing this trip.