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Rockies :: Jasper :: Tangle Pass and Ridge

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Wilcox Basin Panorama from Tangle Highpoint.  Nigel Peak distance left,  Wilcox Pass/Peak center.  Athabasca behind to the right

August 11,  2025

Tangle ridge, separating Wilcox and Beauty Creek Valleys, has well known Kane scramble route to 3000m highpoint.  Crossover between these 2 valleys is possible via Tangle Pass, at south end of the ridge.  It is very infrequently visited as peakbagging hordes seem to be happy to return the same way, missing one of nicest accessible ridgewalks in heart of the Icefields.  In addition Tangle Pass offers glimpse into rarely visited Beauty Lakes, not seen from Tangle "summit".  Loop presented here can be done either way;  I did CCW (Tangle Pass first) as sans-trail routefinding is generally easier going up, and this is how write-up and Gallery photos are presented.   

Trailhead is at tourist heavy Tangle Falls, some 7km north of Columbia Icefields.  Despite infestation in full season, parking can still be found relatively easily as most just make brief stop to take few selfies before cruising off.  Follow unofficial, but well defined Wilcox Pass trail starting on right side of Tangle Falls for 30-40minutes, passing old Prospector cabin and Kane turnoff marked by cairn along the way.  Leave trail as it makes brief sharp left after crossing log plank (see Gallery, Waypoint '2 - Wilcox Trail', GPS download Top of Page) and rock-hop Tangle creek to left (north) side.  Ascent to the pass is entirely sans trail, but straightforward despite some mild bushwhack.  Always stay on earshot of the creek, then after ascending semi-open section with low shrubs (mosquitoes!) cross drainage to climber right and hike easily to the Pass;   about 2.5hrs of moderate pace from the Icefields.  Best views into Beauty Creek Valley can be had by briefly ascending first part of Skye ridge, south side of the Pass.

Hiking up to south end of Tangle ridge rising above the Pass is easier than perhaps expected as scree slope is very stable and presents no problems.  Ensuing is superb ~1hr ridgewalk with grand views in all directions.   There are several highpoints, but only minimal elevation gain/loss until final rise to 3000 highpoint (Kane summit) which has weather station with solar panels.   Descent down west slopes is very straightforward;  initially cairns and well developed trail below treeline down to Wilcox trail (Waypoint "1 - Tangle Junction").   I took only 2hrs from the summit down to the car, and I am generally quite slow going down.

This is highly recommended trip for anyone not obsessed with just reaching the summit, and not afraid of exploring sans-trail.  Many other options exist, including visit to Beauty Creek valley;  be ware that overnight bivouac by Beauty Lakes requires Parks Permit which is apparently next to impossible to get.

Gallery