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Parker Ridge
Banff National Park, Alberta
July 31, 2008
Distance: 10.7 km (6.6 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 725 m (2379 ft)
Dinah and I headed to Jasper for the long weekend, but en route on Highway 93 – the Icefields Parkway – we stopped to ascend Parker Ridge. Actually, we did both the tourist hike and a climb up a ridge with a bit of easy scrambling near the summit.
Parker Ridge is a tourist jam and only gains 200 m, but following the route described in Don't Waste Your Time in the Rockies, we reached a wonderful viewpoint. From the parking lot, we started up the trail for Parker Ridge. At the saddle, we turned right and made our way to the end of the east ridge of Mount Athabasca. After climbing 420 m from the saddle, we reached a rocky outcrop. We spent several minutes taking in the extensive alpine scenery before returning the same way. When we got back to the saddle, we followed the Parker Ridge trail to reach the best view of Saskatchewan Glacier.
Parker Ridge and the extension are a worthwhile break from the five-hour drive from Calgary to Jasper. Our hike took under 4 hours, including time spent talking to tourists who stopped us on the way back to ask about our trip.
Hiking up the tourist trail, Mount Athabasca (centre) and Hilda Peak (right) come into view
On the saddle between Parker Ridge and our summit
From the high point where the trail ends, we headed to the ridge in front of us
After leaving the trail, we hiked up the ridge. Our objective is the brown point in the centre that
obscures Mount Athabasca.
Unknown bird
Looking back at Parker Ridge (centre)
Looking down at Nigel Pass
We took advantage of the firm snow to hasten our ascent
Mount Wilcox, Tangle Ridge and Nigel Peak (mouse over for a close-up of Nigel)
Big Bend Peak fills the foreground
After a stiff climb to this point, the summit is seen on the right
Mount Athabasca fills the background
There were a few ups and downs before we reached the summit
Looking back along the ridge
Almost at the summit
Some easy scrambling to reach the summit
Dinah climbs over a rock band below the summit
On the summit, cairn on the right
View to the southeast
Mount Saskatchewan
Terrace Mountain (left)
Heading back to the saddle
We followed the trail for Parker Ridge
Castleguard Mountain overlooks Saskatchewan Glacier
83 C/3 Columbia Icefield