Fish Lakes Trail via North Molar Pass

Fish Lakes Trail via North Molar Pass is a 29.6 km (18.4 mi) out-and-back from Mosquito Creek Trailhead to Fish Lakes backcountry campground and back. It climbs to North Molar Pass, then descends the far side to the lakes. The route gains about 1,128 m over the return trip. This is a strenuous wilderness outing, best planned as an overnight; very fit hikers may attempt it in one long day, but a night at Fish Lakes makes the commitment easier to manage. The mapped line shows the 14.7 km one-way corridor once, while the listed distance is the full return.

Overnight camping requires a Parks Canada backcountry permit and reservation. A shorter North Molar Pass hike turns around at the pass; this route continues about 3.3 km beyond it to Fish Lakes. The Molar Pass loop is a separate, more involved backcountry route and is not part of this out-and-back.

The access is just north of Mosquito Creek Bridge beside the Icefields Parkway. Parking is at the nearby Mosquito Creek Campground and HI hostel lot across the highway from the trailhead. The first roughly 5.5 km is a gradual forest walk to Mosquito Creek campground, gaining about 186 m. Narrow bridges cross fast streams along this approach. After the campground, follow the creek toward the signed junction about 1.8 km farther on; keep left for North Molar Pass. The right branch leads toward Molar Pass, a different route.

From the campground, the route climbs about 575 m over roughly 6 km. Forest gives way to subalpine meadows, then a steeper, rockier approach above Mosquito Lake. A stream crossing and rock-hopping come before the pass. The upper terrain is exposed to weather and can hold snow after the lower valley has cleared, so footing and pace may change quickly. This is the main sustained climb and the point where the scenery opens across alpine slopes and surrounding headwalls.

At North Molar Pass, continue down the far side for about 3.3 km to Fish Lakes campground. That descent is the defining extension beyond the pass-only hike. It begins steeply, then eases across open meadows. The route becomes braided and can be muddy; a stream crossing on a buckled log comes before camp. A first view of the lake appears roughly ten minutes before the campground. Stay on this route to the Fish Lakes destination; the cross-country traverse over Molar Pass belongs to a separate loop.

Upper and Lower Fish Lakes sit about 0.9 km apart. The lower lake is bordered by open, larch-dotted meadows; the upper lake lies below a large rock wall. The walk to camp links the pass, exposed high country and a quiet lake basin, so the effort is spread across several distinct landscapes rather than ending at the pass. Wildflowers add color to the meadow approach, while larches are a fall feature. The exact current campsite count and amenities were not independently confirmed, so check the reservation listing before relying on a particular facility.

Allow about 12 hours of hiking for the full return, with a two-day itinerary the more realistic choice for most visitors. Check Parks Canada’s current trail conditions before leaving: high elevation snow, wet ground and water crossings can make the upper route slower or unsafe. Dogs are permitted on trails unless a specific restriction applies, and Parks Canada requires them to remain leashed and under physical control. Carry the backcountry permit details for an overnight stay and confirm the campground’s current rules when booking.