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Rockies :: Icefields :: Parker Ridge

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Panoramic view south from lower east Athabasca Ridge.  Saskatchewan Glacier Valley below, Big Bend Peak directly across, dark hulk of Mt Saskatchewan behind.   Mt. Bryce and Castleguard Mountain extreme right

June 8, 2023

Parker Ridge is well known easy outing leading to fantastic viewpoint in the heart of Icefields.  Hike is documented in Patton&Robinson Canadian Rockies Trail Guide and being family friendly quite popular. Parks maintained trail splits of signed parking lot on west side of Trans-Canada highway few km south of Columbia Icefields Center, already in Banff National Park.  Wide switchbacks effortlessly gain low saddle in ~40 minutes.  There are many signs asking hikers not to use shortcuts and stay on trail in order to prevent erosion.  Once on saddle views really open up and it is quite amazing one can achieve such superb viewpoint with so little effort.  Parker Trail continues another 10 minutes or so to great viewpoint of Saskatchewan Glacier Valley and Mount Castleguard;  you are not likely to have it to yourself though.   This part, normally known as "Parker Ridge", can be completed in 2hrs return time.

Options to escape crowds, as usual, exist.  First follows less defined trail  from Parker saddle to the north aiming for elegant ridge rising towards shoulder of Mt. Athabasca gaining ~400m vertical along the way. This ridge looks hiker friendly and I am quite amazed it has largely stayed below the radar.  There are two bumps, along the way;  to ascend first one either skirt on talus trail to climber left, or ascend directly on snowpatch that persists late in season.  Only last few steps below second bump ("Parker Summit") are light scrambling, remainder is "hands in your pockets" kind of stuff - see Gallery.   Parker Summit is probable turnaround point although it might be feasible to drop into rocky basin directly below then angle past lovely and unexpected tarn, then reconnect with trail below first bump.   Other option is to visit rounded shoulder on east side of Parker Trail.  Absence of Trails is quite surprising in as it is very logical extension.  20-30 minutes only of gentle ascent on grass and small rock outcrops leads to fantastic viewpoint, much better than official end of Parker Trail.   Much wondering on this plateau is possible, including high viewpoint directly above Trans Canada Big Bend.  I usually combine both these options when visiting the area.

Gallery

Saskatchewan Glacier

Saskatchewan Glacier Telephoto with Castleguard Mtn behind.  Glacier has retreated significantly in recent time.  There was lot of haze in the air so photo is not crisp, but with clear air this is terrific early to mid morning photo opportunity