Poboktan Pass Trail

Poboktan Pass Trail is a remote, one-way backcountry hike from the Poboktan Creek trailhead on Highway 93 to the South Boundary Trail junction beyond Brazeau Lake. It climbs through creekside forest, crosses an open alpine pass and descends the John-John Creek valley. A detailed route listing gives 23.1 miles one way; the connected mapped line measures 24.1 miles. Plan for roughly 23–24 miles, and arrange camps and an exit or return route before setting out. This is a multi-day trip, not a day hike. Overnight travel requires a backcountry camping permit and reservation.

The first eight miles climb gradually through fir forest beside Poboktan Creek, with side creeks along the way. The larger crossings are bridged, though other crossings may not be. Poboktan Trail Camp is about 4.6 miles in; Waterfalls Trail Camp, around mile 7.6, sits beside a prominent waterfall. The forest briefly opens to creek-valley meadows, then closes again as the route climbs toward the Jonas Pass Trail junction at roughly mile 13.3.

Past the junction, the trail climbs through thinning forest and meadow to the open pass. Poboktan Pass stretches across more than two miles of alpine terrain, with broad mountain and valley views. The upper route is exposed to weather, and snow can linger on the pass into July. Elevation references differ: terrain sampling and an independent elevation dataset place a local high point near 2,440 metres, while published route figures list a lower high point and Parks Canada lists the pass at 2,300 metres. Treat those elevations as approximate.

The trail drops steeply from the pass into fir forest, then follows John-John Creek through a narrow valley between high rock ridges. John-John Trail Camp is around mile 17.7. A bridge crosses the creek near mile 20.5; after a short climb, Brazeau Lake first appears through the trees. Another bridge crosses the lake outlet, with a campground spur nearby.

From the outlet, continue about 1.3 miles along the river to the South Boundary Trail junction. The end is another backcountry junction rather than a road, so plan the onward route or return before starting. Dogs are prohibited on the represented trails. The public trailhead parking is at Poboktan Creek on Highway 93, near Sunwapta Warden Station north of the bridge.