bobspirko.ca | Home | Canada Trips | US Trips | Hiking | Snowshoeing | MAP | About
Mount Wilcox
Jasper National Park, Alberta
July 27, 2003
Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 920 m (3018 ft)
The most direct approach for Mount Wilcox begins behind the Icefield Info Centre, but since Dinah and I camped at Wilcox campground, that's where we started. As we hiked up the trail to Wilcox Pass, we looked for a place to start our ascent. The broad slope offers various possibilities. On our ascent, we went up the slope, but on our way back, we followed the ridge almost to the end which offered a gentler descent and prolonged views.
After we gained the ridge, we stuck close to the crest. Where we could, we followed trails, but we also scrambled up rock. Nothing difficult, and it was fun to tackle obstacles as we encountered them. In summary, Mount Wilcox is a fine scramble with plenty of glacier scenery.
Mount Wilcox seen from Nigel Pass
Looking back across the meadow
Hiking up the lower slopes
Working our way up to the ridge crest
Unnamed mountain to the west
Dinah (right) heads to the ridge
Following a trail
Great scrambling along much of the ridge
Climbing just below the ridge crest
Much of the route was well-trodden
Interesting rock formations
Almost at the summit
Heading back down
Mount Athabasca in the background
Looking back: Dinah is the dot in the centre
83 C/3 Columbia Icefields
