Parking
Small parking area just south of the turnoff to Mosquito Creek Campground on Hwy 93N, 24 km north of the Lake Louise junction.
Overview
About South Molar Pass
South Molar Pass is a difficult out-and-back from the Mosquito Creek Trailhead to broad alpine meadows and the high pass in Banff National Park. The route climbs through forest along Mosquito Creek, passes the Mosquito Creek backcountry campground, then follows the signed route through subalpine meadows to the rocky pass.
Distance: about 19.6 km (12.2 miles) total, or 9.8 km one way. Elevation gain is approximately 560 m (1,837 ft), and most hikers should allow 7–8 hours round trip. The stored line is the physical outbound corridor once; it is not duplicated on the return.
Expect uneven singletrack, roots, rocks, muddy or braided sections, creek crossings, steep rocky switchbacks, and exposed alpine weather near the pass. Snow can linger into summer. Carry bear spray, layers, navigation tools, and enough food and water for a remote day. Dogs are permitted on leash. A valid Parks Canada pass is required; overnight trips require backcountry permits.
Why go
- Expansive alpine meadows, larches, and high-country views
- Remote setting with a rewarding pass finish
Heads up
- Long, strenuous day with uneven footing and creek crossings
- Final approach is rocky and exposed to fast-changing weather
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,841–2,357 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureLake Louise area trails and access areas closed for wildlifeMentions Lake Louise, referenced in this guideThe Bow River Trail, Louise Creek Trail, lower Tramline Trail, and Great Divide Trail parking area are closed because the closure prevents wildlife from being displaced from an essential travel…Official details
- ClosureRed Deer River valley bottom closed for ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison harvest taking place through November.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to South Molar Pass, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this area
HI Mosquito Creek: Wilderness Hostel and Alpine TrailsListen
“The cluster of cabins coming into view is the HI Mosquito Creek hostel, a true wilderness base right on the parkway. This is a very rustic, off-grid kind of place, popular with hikers and climbers.”
Plays near this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Why It’s Called Noseeum Creek: Tiny Biters, Big Role
- Dolomite Country: The Magnesium Rock Shaping This Valley
- The Doctor and the Kicking Horse
- Hector Lake: A Quiet Hike with a River Crossing
- 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
122 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
67 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
465 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
