Jonas Pass Trail

The stored route follows the maintained Parks Canada corridor south to north: trail 130 from Nigel Creek over Nigel Pass to Four Point campground, trail 131 over Jonas Pass and up Jonas Shoulder to Jonas Cutoff, then trail 132 down Poboktan Creek to the highway. Parks Canada lists the sections as 13.9 km to Four Point, 18.9 km to Jonas Cutoff, 9.3 km to Waterfalls, 4.5 km to Poboktan, and 7.5 km to the Poboktan Creek trailhead, or about 54 km one way. Nigel Pass is about 2,195 m, Jonas Pass about 2,320 m, and Jonas Shoulder about 2,470 m.

This is sustained, remote alpine travel usually done as a 3–4 day backpacking trip. The route is maintained but low priority, with exposed passes, rocky or muddy tread, lingering snow, and small stream crossings. The ascent to Jonas Shoulder is the most strenuous section; the route then drops through the Poboktan valley toward the highway.

This is not a loop. Arrange a shuttle, second vehicle, or other transport for the roughly 44 km between the two trailheads. Overnight travel requires a Parks Canada backcountry camping permit and reservations at designated campgrounds such as Four Point, Jonas Cutoff, Waterfalls, and Poboktan. Fires are limited to designated pits, with no fire at Jonas Cutoff. Dogs are not permitted on Jonas Pass or Poboktan Creek trails, and horses are not permitted on Jonas Pass.

For experienced backpackers, the long traverse rewards the effort with open alpine scenery, quiet camps, and a strong sense of wilderness. It is a demanding point-to-point trip, not a casual day hike, and requires advance logistics and self-sufficiency.