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Trip

Day Hike - Abbott Ridge

Visit premier scenic trails in BC's Glacier NP - Abbott Ridge and Asulkan Valley (or Hermit Trail). Moderate to strenuous trails ascend forest and reach alpine meadows and tundra, with sweeping views of towering peaks and glaciers. Incredible awesome views, great photo and naturalist opportunities along the trails. Please no leader permission requests submitted for review until June 2.

  • Wed, Jul 26, 2023 — Thu, Jul 27, 2023
  • Seattle Hiking Committee
  • Naturalist, Day Hiking
  • Adults
  • Moderate/Strenuous
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 8.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 3,412 ft

7/26:  8am - Illecillewaet TH for Abbott Ridge hike

7/27: 8am - Illecillewaet TH for Asulkan Valley hike.  Based on group consensus, alternate hike is Hermit Trail (TH just E of Rogers Pass.)

Updated 7/12:

Read all leader notes and route/place link before submitting request for leader permission. 

Park is not impacted by current wildfires/smoky air quality in distant areas in western Canada.

Abbott Ridge & Marion Lake: Abbott Ridge - Approx 8-10 mi RT, 3379 ft gain & loss, includes Marion Lk.
15.6 km* (return) | 1030 m elevation change | 6.5 hrs. Natural trail | Very steep.  Shorter ascent and longer less steep descent.  Marion Lake -   6.4 km* (return) | 425 m elevation change | 2.5 hrs. Natural trail | Steep.  Steep forested hike to a small subalpine lake along the first leg of the Abbott Ridge Trail. Trailhead: Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground

Asulkan Valley: Approx 8-10 mi RT, 2,854 feet gain & loss.   15.8 km* (return) | 870 m elevation change | 6 hrs
Natural trail | Gently rolling to steep moraine ridge after 4 km.  Trailhead: Illecillewaet Valley or Illecillewaet Campground
A glacier carved landscape with lush forest, mountain views and waterfalls. This hike starts as a valley walk and then
climbs a steep glacial moraine.

    Hermit trailApprox   3.9 mi RT.  2,690 feet gain & loss.  6.4 km (return) | 820 m elevation change | 4 hrs.  Natural trail with rock stairs | Very steep.  Trailhead: 1.5 km east of Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.  Known for its epic steepness! Climb many switchbacks, rock stairs, and a rope-assisted scramble to an alpine meadow and backcountry campsite (camp permit required)

    • Members only.  Leader Permission required
    • Leader permission forms will include complete responses with following information: provide examples of your recent ( last 12-24 mo) Mountaineers moderate to strenuous hikes 5-10 mi with 2,500-3,000+ feet gain (incl mileage, elev gain) trips ), primary interest(s) (hiking, photography, natural history, other) in this particular trip, comfort/experience with travel over early summer snow fields, comfort/experience with backcountry travel in grizzly (mostly)/black bear habitat, indicate you will bring microspikes (if snow fields) and trekking poles, transportation plans (drive or need ride, carpool interest), and have current passport for border crossing.

    Leisurely to moderate pace, to accommodate brief photo and naturalist interest stops (wildflowers, lichens, birds and other wildlife) along trails/routes.  BC's Glacier NP offers a good variety of lichen viewing.

    • Itinerary: 
    • July 26 - Abbott Ridge hike, approx 8-9 mi RT, full day. 
    • July 27 - Asulkan Valley hike, approx 8.3mi RT, full day, or alternate half to full day hike on Hermit trail (shorter, steeper than Abbott or Asulkan)

    Links to Asulkan Valley hike details/photos:  http://bobspirko.ca/OtherScrambles/BC/AsulkanValley/AsulkanValley.html

    Link to Abbott Ridge hike details/photos:  https://hikebiketravel.com/abbott-ridge-trail/

    Link to Hermit trail details/photos:  https://hikebiketravel.com/the-hermit-trail-hike-in-glacier-national-park-bc/

    Leader will be departing 7/20-21 for Yoho NP/Lake Louise trip through 7/25.

    Participants are responsible for arranging own accommodations; campsite sharing may be possible.  Recommend accom for 2 nights (7/25, 7/26) prior to day hikes (ASAP book reservable accoms for Wheeler Hut or  Canyon Hot Springs):  front country camp in Glacier NP (Illecillewaet CG - non reservable, site cost approx $10-15Can/night), ACC Wheeler Hut (TH is short walk; $55Can/night (reserve with Alpine Club of Canada, 50-100% non-refundable  dep on cancellation notice), or Canyon Hot Springs RV Park (betw Revelstoke & Glacier NPs, $39+tx Can/night, full facilities incl showers, laundromat, etc.).  Leader expects to stay at Illecillewaet CG or Canyon HS.

    Be aware of 8 hours approx drive time from Seattle to BC's Glacier NP (Rogers Pass area).  Consider extending your visit with more hikes in Glacier NP; peak wildflower bloom subalpine hikes in Mt Revelstoke NP (45 min. west); or travel 1.5 to 2+ hours east for hiking or backpacking in Canadian Rockies' national parks Yoho, Kootenay or Banff.  Most front country and back country camps in the Canadian Rockies' parks are reserved for the summer, although you should find some space available with advanced reservations in local motels, IH hostels, and Alpine Club of Canada back country huts.  A couple other regions are worthy hiking/backpacking destinations:  Kananaskis Lakes/Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (south of Banff/Canmore), and East/West Kootenay's provincial parks/forest rec trails/sites in SE BC.  Immediately following the two-day Glacier NP trip, the leader is offering two photo-oriented backpacks in two very scenic west Kootenay provincial parks (Valhalla and Kokanee Glacier).

    Route/Place

    Abbott Ridge



    • Rogers Pass (Glacier National Park, The Adventure Map)

      CNTS Blaeberry 82 N/6

      CNTS Glacier 82 N/5

      CNTS Illecillewaet 82 N/4
    • See full route/place details.
    Roster
    Required Equipment

    Required Equipment

    The Ten Essentials

    • Navigation
    • Headlamp
    • Sun protection
    • First aid
    • Knife
    • Fire
    • Shelter
    • Extra food + hydration tabs
    • Extra water (pack 3L) + pump filter (pump recom. for  glacial stream source; or squeeze for pool/lake source)
    • Extra clothes
    • Microspikes recommended, if lingering snowfields
    • Trekking poles required
    • Sturdy hiking boots/shoes with good traction (for steeper, rockier sections, loose scree)
    • Bear spray required
    Trip Reports