Parking
Use the signed Wilcox Pass Trailhead parking area at the entrance to Wilcox Creek Campground, just off the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93), near the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Do not rely on highway shoulder parking.
Overview
About Wilcox Ridge Trail
Why go
- Panoramic Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield views
- Open alpine meadows and a memorable ridge viewpoint
Heads up
- Exposed and windy above treeline
- Steep, rocky sections with lingering snow possible into summer
Wilcox Ridge Trail is a moderate out-and-back to an open alpine ridge above the Icefields Parkway, with broad views toward the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield. Parks Canada lists the official Wilcox Pass Ridge Trail (50a) as a hiking route; this outing is distinct from continuing farther toward Wilcox Pass.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation2,018–2,414 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Jasper alerts
- ClosureWildfire-impacted areas and facilities closedStay out of closed wildfire-impacted areas and facilities in Jasper National Park; closures protect public safety after the 2024 wildfire and remain in effect while recovery and safety work continues.Official details
- Closure93A (Wabasso Road) no through travel during roadworkFrom mid-October to early November 2026, plan for 93A (Wabasso Road) to be accessible from the south entrance only; no through travel is expected during roadwork.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Jasper Tour Guide
Your drive to Wilcox Ridge Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Jasper 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.
See the Jasper audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Wilcox Pass Trail and Glacier ViewsListen
“You're nearing the trailhead for Wilcox Pass. If you do just one hike in the Icefields area, many people would say this is the one.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Wilcox Creek Campground: Views and Trails
- The Tree That Needs a Bird to Plant It
- Wilcox Ridge Viewpoint
- Icefield Campground: Tents-Only Near the Glacier
- 157 audio storiesacross Jasper’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Caribou, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 91 trails, 129 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Wilcox Ridge Trail
The routeStart at the signed Wilcox Pass Trailhead parking area at the entrance to Wilcox Creek…
Start at the signed Wilcox Pass Trailhead parking area at the entrance to Wilcox Creek Campground on the east side of the Icefields Parkway. The trail climbs through subalpine forest, crosses open meadows and follows the Wilcox Pass approach to the signed ridge route and Wilcox Ridge viewpoint. Return the same way. The complete visitor distance is about 9.3 km (5.8 miles) round trip; the stored line is the single 4.65 km (2.89-mile) physical corridor, not a duplicated return track. Allow about 3.5–4.5 hours for the round trip, with roughly 400 m of sampled ascent.
What you’ll seeAbove treeline, the route opens onto alpine meadows and rocky tundra with striking views of the…
Above treeline, the route opens onto alpine meadows and rocky tundra with striking views of the Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield and surrounding peaks. The ridge is a strong photo stop, and bighorn sheep may be seen in the upper meadows—watch from a respectful distance.
Trail character and conditionsThe lower approach is a steady climb on packed dirt through forest, while the upper route is…
The lower approach is a steady climb on packed dirt through forest, while the upper route is rockier and more exposed. Wind, lingering snow and quick weather changes are possible well into summer. Stay on the established tread to protect fragile alpine vegetation, and remember that this is bear country.
TipsBring layers, water, sun protection and sturdy footwear; trekking poles can help on the descent.
Bring layers, water, sun protection and sturdy footwear; trekking poles can help on the descent. Carry bear spray where permitted, hike in a group, make noise and never feed wildlife. There are no trail facilities beyond the trailhead parking area.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Jasper
174 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
43 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
40 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsCanada LynxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
315 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,028 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Jasper. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
