Wilcox Pass and Columbia Ice Field

Mountain Bean is at it again

Today was the first "real" day of our week long adventure in the Rockies with Fresh Adventures. We were picked up from our hotel in Calgary late yesterday afternoon, and stopped at one other hotel to pick up another group of fellow adventurers. After a pit stop in Canmore for some last minute snacks and supplies we traveled through Banff National Park and arrived at David Thompson Resort where we will be staying for the first 3 nights of our trip. After our arrival we set up our tents (Leslie and Zoe in one, Rosie and I in the other) and then had a late dinner of salad, pasta, and fish. We let the kids stay up a little late because it was a clear night and the stars were fantastic (and we're in the midst of the Perseids! Rosie spotted two shooting stars). 

Home sweet home

Today after a breakfast of fresh fruit and pancakes we packed into our large van and crossed into Jasper National Park to do the Wilcox Pass trail. The initial part of the hike weaved through thick fir and spruce trees, with a few lookouts on the way up. Across the valley we could see glimpses of the Columbia Ice Field in the distance, although as beautiful as they where, we knew the view was only going to get better the higher we climbed. 

Ready for action! 

In keeping with our previous hike at Bedwell Lake Rosie insisted on leading the pack, and I had to hold her back on several occasions to let the rest of the group catch up. Meanwhile at the back of the pack Zoe was chatting up her new bestie, one of our guides Jamie - talking about their top 5 Disney movies, discovering that they were both in the "Seussical" musical in their respective schools, and singing their favorite songs together. 

After we got beyond the treeline the landscape opened up and we were treated to some amazing scenes which just got better and better the further we went. After a few breaks for water along the way we reached a nice place by a stream to stop for lunch and take in the incredible scenery. 

Everybody having a good day

After lunch, our guides gave everyone in our group the option of continuing on to climb higher to the scenic viewpoint, or to hang out and wait while others tackled it. Rosie, Leslie, and I opted in without hesitation, but to our shock Zoe declined! Although I suspect this decision was at least partly motivated by the fact that Jamie was hanging back with the others and Zoe wanted to keep chatting about musicals :) 

The remainder of the trek up to the scenic viewpoint was ~1.5km involving more climbing, but absolutey worth every step.  The pass brought us over a false peak and ultimately to a spot that looked out over the aforementioned Columbia Ice Fields in the distance. Absolutely breathtaking. I learned from our guide that the path actually continues on to summit Mount Wilcox itself, which looked simultaneously intimidating but inviting at the same time... Some other time, I told myself :)  Our total hike distance was 10km with an elevation change of 430m. 

Leslie taking in the spectacular view

3/4 of the family

Brad in his happy place

After soaking in the view we returned to our lunch spot to retrieve our fellow hikers, and then down to the trailhead. However, as a bonus we drove a little further down the highway and pulled into another parking lot close to the ice fields.  The road in to the parking lot was marked with signposts that showed where the glacier had been over the past ~100 years, highlighting just how much it had receded in a short time. A brief walk up a steep rocky trail brought us to a point where we could fully appreciate the view. I think we will all sleep well tonight. 

Tomorrow is a day that the kids have been looking forward to since our trip began - we are heading directly across the highway to go horse riding at McKenzie Trails West. :) More to come!