BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 147

Park on the east side of the highway and follow the gravel road to a locked gate. Turn
right here and cross Nigel Creek on the bridge. The trail is obvious, following open ava-
lanche paths up the east side of the valley. In a stand of Engelmann spruce and subalpine
fir two kilometers (1.2 miles) from the trailhead is an old campsite used first by native
hunting parties, then by mountaineers exploring the area around the Columbia Icefield.
Look for carvings on trees recording these early visitors. From here the trail continues to
climb steadily, only increasing in gradient for the last one kilometer (0.6 mile) to the pass.
The pass (2,195 meters/7,200 feet) marks the boundary between Banff and Jasper National
Parks. For the best view, scramble over the rocks to the left. To the north, the view extends
down the Brazeau River Valley, surrounded by a mass of peaks. To the west (left) is Nigel
Peak (3,211 meters/10,535 feet), and to the southwest are views of Parker's Ridge and the
glaciated peaks of Mount Athabasca.
Parker's Ridge
• Length: 2.4 kilometers/1.5 miles (1 hour) one-way
• Elevation gain: 210 meters/690 feet
• Rating: easy/moderate
• Trailhead: Icefields Parkway, 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south of Sunwapta Pass
From the trailhead on the west side of the highway, this wide path gains elevation quickly
through open meadows and scattered stands of subalpine fir. This fragile environment is
easily destroyed, so it's important that you stay on the trail. During the short alpine sum-
mer, these meadows are carpeted with red heather, white mountain avens, and blue alpine
forget-me-nots. From the summit of the ridge, you look down on the two-kilometer-wide
(1.2-mile-wide) Saskatchewan Glacier spreading out below. Beyond is Castleguard Moun-
tain, renowned for its extensive cave system.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND CAMPING
Under $50
North of Lake Louise, four hostels are spread along the Icefields Parkway, two in Banff
National Park and two in Jasper National Park. Facilities at all four are limited, and beds
should be reserved as far in advance as possible. For reservations, call 778/328-2220 or
866/762-4122, or book online ( www.hihostels.ca ) . The first, 24 kilometers (15 miles) from
Lake Louise, is HI-Mosquito Creek, which is near good hiking and offers accommoda-
tions for 32 in four- and six-bed cabins. Facilities include a kitchen, wood-heated sauna,
and a large common room with fireplace. Although the hostel has no showers, guests are