Elysium Pass Trail

This is an out-and-back from the Dorothy and Christine Lakes trailhead. Follow the Dorothy and Christine Lakes Trail through the forest, then leave it near the Minaga Creek section at the signed or historic Elysium Pass junction. The route continues on the rough Elysium Pass Trail toward its highpoint and the pass. The stored line follows the physical corridor once from the start to the pass; it does not duplicate the return leg.

Plan for about 28 km (17.4 miles) total round trip, roughly 1,100 m of elevation gain, and about 16 hours of total hiking time. Most visitors should treat this as a two- to three-day backpacking trip rather than a day hike. The route is long, steep, and remote, and the final approach beyond the mapped OSM section is an unmaintained wilderness route.

The primary access is the Dorothy and Christine Lakes trailhead, about 11.5 km west of Jasper off Highway 16, just west of the Meadow Creek bridge. The route begins on the railway access road, crosses the tracks, and uses the Miette River bridge before climbing toward the Elysium junction. A valid Jasper National Park entry pass is required. The old trail, bridges, and campsite are no longer maintained as a normal frontcountry hiking facility, so visitors must be self-sufficient and prepared for route-finding and rough travel.

Expect steep terrain, muddy or wet sections, limited signage, difficult route-finding, and unreliable cell service. Carry a current map or GPX, extra food, warm layers, repair and emergency gear, and bear spray; this is grizzly and black-bear country. Treat water before drinking. Stream and bridge crossings may be damaged or awkward, and snow can obscure the route well into the season. Winter travel is an advanced alpine undertaking with avalanche hazards.