Fish Lakes via North Molar Pass

This is an 18.6-mile out-and-back from the Mosquito Creek trailhead to the Fish Lakes campground, crossing North Molar Pass; it is about 9.3 miles each way. The outbound route gains roughly 780 m and drops about 420 m before reaching the lakes. Returning means climbing back over the pass. Budget about 13.5 hours of walking across two days and treat Mo18 as an overnight stop, rather than trying to force the whole return into one long day. A backcountry permit and advance reservation are required if you camp overnight.

The trail starts across Highway 93 from Mosquito Creek Campground, climbs steeply beside the creek, then eases into open conifer forest. A clearing on this approach is a trace of the Wonder Road, an early precursor to the Icefields Parkway. Around 5 km in, Mosquito Creek backcountry campground sits among boulders. Beyond it the trail crosses the creek and turns rougher, with braided tread, roots, muddy patches and sections that follow the streambed. At the junction about 2.5 km beyond the campground, take the left branch for North Molar Pass; the right branch leads to Molar Pass instead.

The North Molar branch climbs steeply on loose, rocky, braided tread before opening into wide alpine meadows. The grade eases through tarns and streams toward Mosquito Lake, then rises to the pass at about 2,590 m. Dolomite Mountain fills the western view, while Molar Mountain and the Fish Lakes valley open to the south. Wildflowers are a highlight in summer, especially around the meadows.

After the pass, the route crosses more meadow beneath the surrounding peaks, then descends to Mo18 on the north shore near the eastern end of Upper Fish Lake. A stream near the bottom can be too deep to rock-hop; a downstream bridge is mentioned, but its location and current condition are not confirmed, so be ready for a wade. Mo18 has five tent sites, picnic tables, a bear pole and an outhouse. Lower Fish Lake is about 0.9 km beyond Upper Fish Lake and is a separate extension. From the upper lake, autumn larches along the shore make a strong frame with the surrounding peaks.