Wilcox Pass Hike - Jasper | Trails Unblazed

Wilcox Pass Trail – Jasper National Park

Wilcox Pass is considered by many to be one of the best day hikes in Jasper National Park. Since the trail came highly recommended and we didn’t have much time to spend in Jasper, this was the only hike we did in the park…and we couldn’t be happier with our choice of trail. This hike had a little bit of everything (glaciers, mountain views, wildlife, etc.) and it was all packed into a relatively short trail that allowed us to finish with enough time remaining in the day to spend enjoying some of the other sights in Jasper and (unsuccessfully) looking for bears.

Trail Summary

Distance: 5.8 miles out and back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 1,712 ft.

Highest Elevation: 7,959 ft.

Tips: 1) Carry bear spray 2) Dress for cold temperatures (even in the summer) 3) Look for bighorn sheep

Trail Map: AllTrails.com

Finding the Trailhead

The trailhead to Wilcox Pass is located directly off the Icefields Parkway, the famous road that runs north-south through Banff and Jasper National Park. It is about an hour and a half south of the town of Jasper, an hour and a half north of Lake Louise, and 2 hours and 15 minutes north of the town of Banff. The turnoff is well-marked with brown sign that says “Wilcox Creek” and is located a few minutes south of the Columbia Icefield Discover Center, which you can’t miss. There is a small parking area located at the bottom of the road that leads up to the Wilcox Creek Campground. The trailhead is marked with a large wooden sign with a map, bear warnings, etc. There is also a bathroom by the trailhead.

The Trail

The trail begins with a moderate ascent through the woods, crossing over a well maintained boardwalk and wooden stairs. It doesn’t take long (less than a mile) before you emerge from the trees to be greeted with views across the Icefields Parkway and the Sunwapta Pass. This is a good place for a quick break. The views are great but they get so much better.

At this point, you’ll be above the treeline for the majority of the remainder of the ascent and there will be constant incredible views in all directions. You’ll come to a pair of red Adirondack chairs (not sure what the Canadian equivalent of an Adirondack chair is called) on the left side of the trail at which point you’ll have a great vantage point of the Columbia Icefield. The best part of the view of the Athabasca Glacier is that it’s free. You have the option to pay a bunch of money to walk out on the glacier with a tour group, but we found the view from the trail to be better than anything money could buy. This is also a common place for people to turn around, especially families with small children. The trail only gets more beautiful from here, but if you’re only going for a view of the icefield, then this is a good way to shorten the hike.

The section of the hike beyond the red chairs overlooks a ravine to the left. We saw several bighorn sheep along this stretch of the trail and apparently they are a common sighting. There was a small group of sheep about 20 feet off of the trail and another small group on the opposite side of the ravine during our ascent. We were pumped about this sighting, but on our way down we came face to face with a ram standing right in the middle of the trail. He was in no rush to let us pass, so we waited for him to finish eating whatever he was eating and continue on his way.

As you continue on, the views get more dramatic with each step you take. The trail levels off and turns slightly left (northwest) and you’re met with a great view of Mt. Wilcox straight ahead. We did this hike on September 1 and everything was covered in a layer of snow from this point on. There wasn’t enough snow to necessitate any snow-specific gear, but it made the scenery that much more breathtaking. This flat stretch of the trail through Wilcox Pass was easily the most impressive part of the hike. It honestly felt like we were in the Himalayas and we could have stayed here for hours just admiring the scenery.

You can continue beyond the pass all the way to Tangle Falls but this is a 7 mile one-way hike which would require two cars unless you wan to walk or hitchhike back to the parking area. Some people also continue on to the summit of Wilcox Peak, but the official Wilcox Pass Trail ends at the pass itself.

This isn’t a difficult or long hike, but it’s one of the most rewarding day hikes we’ve ever done. The views are as good as they come and the close encounter with the bighorn sheep was an added bonus that we won’t soon forget. We’ve only done one hike in Jasper so we can’t opine as to how it compares to other day hikes in the park. All we can say is that if this is the only hike you do in Jasper, you will not be disappointed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

– How long is the Wilcox Pass hike?

Wilcox Pass is 5.8 miles round trip (out and back), with 1,712 ft of elevation gain. Most hikers finish in 3–4 hours, depending on how long you linger at the viewpoints — and you’ll want to linger.

– How difficult is Wilcox Pass?

It’s rated a moderate hike. The trail climbs steadily through the woods for less than a mile before leveling off above the treeline, so the ascent is the main effort — after that, it’s a fairly flat, exposed walk through the pass.

– Where does the Wilcox Pass trailhead start?

The trailhead is directly off the Icefields Parkway, a few minutes south of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Look for a brown “Wilcox Creek” sign marking the turnoff, then park in the small lot at the base of the road leading up to Wilcox Creek Campground. There’s a bathroom and a large trail map sign at the start.

– How far is Wilcox Pass from Jasper and Banff?

The trailhead is about 1.5 hours south of the town of Jasper, 1.5 hours north of Lake Louise, and roughly 2 hours 15 minutes north of Banff.

– What will you see on the Wilcox Pass trail?

Highlights include sweeping views over the Icefields Parkway and Sunwapta Pass, a classic vantage point of the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield, and a good chance of spotting bighorn sheep — they’re common along the ravine section of the trail.

– Do you need a park pass to hike Wilcox Pass?

Yes — Wilcox Pass is inside Jasper National Park, so a valid Parks Canada park pass is required, as it would be for any hike or stop within the park.

– What should you bring on the Wilcox Pass hike?

Bear spray, since this is bear country, and warm layers — temperatures at elevation can be cold even in summer, and snow can linger into September. Sturdy footwear is a good idea too, as parts of the trail can be icy or snow-covered outside peak summer months.

– Can you extend the Wilcox Pass hike?

Yes. Beyond the pass, the trail continues toward Tangle Falls, but that’s a 7-mile one-way route that would need a car shuttle or a long walk/hitchhike back. Some hikers also continue up toward the summit of Wilcox Peak, though the official Wilcox Pass Trail ends at the pass itself.

– Is Wilcox Pass a good hike for families or a shorter option?

Yes — a common turnaround point is at the pair of red Adirondack-style chairs overlooking the Columbia Icefield, roughly the first third of the trail. It’s a popular spot for families with young kids to enjoy the glacier view without committing to the full 5.8 miles.