45. Wilcox Pass

Distance: 12 k
Elevation gain: 335 m

On August 11, we left Mosquito Creek Campground early to get a site at Wilcox Creek Campground. There we had our breakfast before starting off.

The trail began at the entrance to the campground and based on the cars parked there, promised to be rather busy. The trail was wide and climbed and quickly rose above the trees to give views of the road and glaciers across.

It continued ascending at a steady rate up into the pass. We assumed this pile of rocks marked the high point and posed as usual.

Ridges to the west blocked the views of the glaciers so we extended the hike by passing over ridge after ridge to get to the west edge and admire the vast Columbia Icefields with various branches including the Athabasca Glacier.

It was way too cold and windy to eat lunch comfortably here we turned back and found a quieter spot.

Still a wonderful view.

We turned around and went back to join the trail through the pass.

In the distance across the lakes was a flock of Rocky Mountain sheep. Everyone was excited and leaving the trail to approach them as closely as possible; they calmly continued grazing.

We decided to continue on through the pass instead of returning as most people do. It was a great feeling walking alone through the flat, tussocky tundra flanked by mountains on both sides. What easy, level hiking.

Eventually we reached the end of the pass and gazed down at the steep drainage system of Tangle Creek. I was glad we were going down rather than up.

We descended through this grizzly bear habitat making noise and whistling through the densest sections down to the road and Tangle Creek Falls. This is a popular spot for tourists to stop and take pictures so we had no trouble finding a ride back to our campsite.