We are heading back to BC and Alberta this Fall -- and I discovered that I have a thing about glaciers. We are not equipped to hike ON glaciers -- too risky. But last year, we really enjoyed hiking near glaciers in the Rockies, close enough to hear them groan and to watch chunks calving off and to feel the icy wind sweeping over them.I have tried to search specifically for glacier-related day hikes, but it is very hard to narrow down the search results. We are not backpackers, which limits us a little bit, but we are usually able to cover about 10 miles (16 km) a day, with about 3000 feet (1000 m) of elevation gain.So that is my rather specific question -- what would you recommend? We are thinking about the Kootenays, the Selkirks, the Bugaboos, and the Cariboos, but we are open to anything.As always, thanks so much for sharing your expertise!(PS -- if I don't respond to your comments during the next week, that is because we are camping in the Sierra without internet access!)

Glad to hear you won't venture onto glaciers w/o professional help, meaning hiring a mountain guide. You might consider this option for a safe hike out onto a glacier. Any certified Canadian mountain guide could offer some suggestions for a safe guided excursion and most have equipment for rent. A few suggestions for you which might work:In the Bugaboos the hike to the Conrad Kain hut and above takes you close to one glacier and to the toe of another small glacier above the hut. Involves climbing a couple of ladders but it is a good trail with hand cables/chains on some narrower sections. Lovely place and within your set limits.Near Jasper the hike to the Edith Cavell area (assuming it is open again as an icefall event closed the road early in the season) takes you close to the Angel glacier where ice falls into a small lake.The Mount Robson trails take you across Berg lake from some very active glaciers and the hike beyond Berg lake is along side of and above the very large Robson glacier. Is beyond your preferred distance limit, long for a day trip, especially including the return the same day.In the Roger's pass area the hike to the Asulkan hut takes you close to glaciers, especially if you proceed above the hut to the edge of the glacier.The Plain of Six glaciers hike at Lake Louise goes up the morrain beyond the tea house and offers spectacular yet safe glacier views.It is possible to hike from the big bend south of and below Sunwapta pass along an old road to the lake at the toe of the Saskatchewan glacier. Great views here of several glaciers.The hike up the climber's trail (steep trail in spots but within your limits) takes you to the toe of the North Glacier on Mount Athabasca.I believe the parks service offers escorted hikes onto the Athabasca glacier across from the Icefields visitors center.If you drive up Horsethief creek west of Radium and take the Farnham creek road to the locked gate you can hike up the remainder of the road to the site of the training camp for skiing (now closed and abandoned I believe). Continue up the road beyond the camp to the Farnham glacier on their access road. If you continue up the Horsethief creek road to the end then hike the road and trail to Lake of the Hanging glaciers you can hike along the East side of the lake to the place where a glacier ends in ice cliffs in the lake itself.Hope this rather long set of descriptions helps.

Powder pig wrote:...I believe the parks service offers escorted hikes onto the Athabasca glacier across from the Icefields visitors center.....I have been on this tour, it is top notch. My advise is to get there at opening time and take the first tour of the day.

I can rcommend Illecillewaet campground in Glacier NP you can hike to the glacier from here but do check the open/close dates since they are weather dependant at this altitude.Trevor

Kokanee Glacier is a good days hike I did it as a kid, however have done it since it has become a well known hike, and a provincal park. There are for three different routes to get up to the Glacier some longer than others . I like the accessing the area from Kokanee Creek side.Google (Kookane Glacier Provincial Park) The are also Glaciers up the Slocn Valley in the Vahalla Provincial Park, which you can see from Kokanee Glacier.Soup

Besides the ones that have been mentioned:1)Glacier NP, a)Perley Rock and b)Glacier Crest both take you to the Illecelliwaet Glacier.c)Hermits across the valley takes you up to Rogers Glacier(steep trail)2) Mt. Begbie, Revelstoke, the most popular hike for fit types in the area. At 4800' to the glacier, it may be too far for you but worth the views on the way up and down.3)Kootenay NP, a)Tokumm Creek- Fay Hut.Glacier above. Start at Marble Canyon.b) The Rockwall, small glaciers can be accessed in a long day by hiking certain parts from the highway. 4)Yoho NP,a) Start at Takkaka Falls and proceed up Yoho valley. Toes of the Wapta Icefield can be accessed via a scramble to Daly and Yoho glaciers. b) Iceline trail will take you to the Emerald glacier. 5) This is more coastal but well worth the time. a)From Squamish, drive logging road up Brohm Ridge. Hike to Warren Glacier under Mt. Garibaldi. Same area as where Mrs. Crosscheck is sitting in our profile. b) Whisler/Blackcolm, take lift up to Blackcolm glacier. c) Hike up Wedgemount creek trail and to Wedgemount glacier. d)Jofre Lakes PP, hike past the upper lakes and after the ridge,bear left and climb to the Tszll glacier.6) Smithers BC, a)Hudsons Bay Mt.,Kathlyn glacier. 3 hour rough hike to the ice. Easy walk up to the the top, almost no cravasses. b) Babine PP, Hike to hikers cabin(Joe L'Orsa cabin) in Silver King Basin,with minimal gear and next day, access a number of small glaciers.7. Stewart.BC, a)Bear glacier, beside road.b) Salmon glacier, on the way to the old Grand Duke mine, beside road.There are literaly 1000's of remnant glaciers on the north facing BC mountains but by their nature of survival,heavy forestation, higher elevations and high snow packs make them much more difficult to access in a day especially if it is in a wilderness area which much of BC,s mountains are.In Europe, their glaciers are so accessible that all you need to do is plunk down the money and a huge gondola will take you and your high heels up to a tea house next to a spectacular glacier. Not so easy in BC.Better start backpacking.Its much easier than you think and it opens a huge world of wilderness experiences.Asulkan trail,Glacier NPPerley Rock, Illecillewaet Glacier, Glacier NPDave

Campgrounds near "day-hike-able" glaciers in BC?

15 Replies

SteveAE
Explorer
May 30, 2013
I don't blame her. After years of minimal gear camping (sometimes even a bivy sack was a lot), the trailer sure makes a nice base camp from which to stage hiking and paddling trips. Getting old I guess....

Used to surf at Torrance, Redondo, and Hermosa beaches (and around the rocks of PVP). Now, I just surf on waves in rivers where the ride can last.....forever.

Back to your trip. Another reference book you may want to get if you don't already have it is "Pacific Northwest Camping Destinations", by Mike and Terri Church. Mainly RV park stuff, but still a good reference....especially if looking for a place with laundry facilities after a week at more remote sites.
profdant139
Explorer II
May 30, 2013
DW is fine with a heavy pack -- she is short but strong. But she does not want to sleep on the ground or go without a hot shower every evening. Our trailer, although tiny, is very comfortable!

And our solution to mosquitoes is to travel in September and early October. The summer is mostly for surfing. ;)
SideHillSoup
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Duncan Lake area camping will "usually” have Mosquito’s, so we go in the fall Huckleberry Picking up Glacier Creek
Soup
SteveAE
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Two other books you may want to get that I forgot to mention are:
- "Camp Free in B.C." by Kathy Copeland (covers the Recreation Sites)
- "Camping British Columbia" by Jayne Seagrave (covers the Provincial Parks)

Steve
SteveAE
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Our loop though the Kootenay region last year was very nice.

If looking for an out of the way place, from where you can access spectacular alpine hikes, take a look at some of the hikes into the Purcell's from the west side, base camping at Duncan Lake.

I suggest that you get the book, "Where Locals Hike in the West Kootenay" by Kathy and Craig Copeland.
Another book that you might consider is "Mountain Footsteps - Hikes in the East Kootenay of Southeastern British Columbia" by Janice Strong

Have fun,
Steve

p.s.; maybe your wife would like multi-day rafting or canoeing as there is no pack to carry?
profdant139
Explorer II
May 20, 2013
Thanks for all of the suggestions! (We just got back from a week of boondocking in the Sierra, thus the long delay in expressing my gratitude.) This has given me a lot to think about. Now the planning starts!

And Crosscheck, you are right that backpacking would be a game-changer. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen -- DW is very clear about that. I can't hold that against her -- she is willing to boondock in the darndest places and will put up with very spartan conditions for long periods of time. I feel very lucky that she is so adventurous. So we will remain day hikers, with limited range.
Seamutt
Explorer
May 14, 2013
Athabasca Glacier on the icefield parkway between Banff and Jasper you can get guided walks onto the glacier and also take a special bus that will take you out and onto the glacier. The glacier is right beside the highway.
paulj
Explorer II
May 13, 2013
How about the Club Tread database

clubtread search with 'glacier'
crosscheck
Explorer II
May 13, 2013
Bow Glacier.

From the lodge on Bow Lake, Icefields Parkway, follow trail around lake and then up creek. Several creek crossings. Rough. 6-8 hours return.

We paddled the canoe over to the creek and hiked from there. Very pretty lake.

Dave
crosscheck
Explorer II
May 12, 2013
My memmory is going. I'm starting to remember all sorts of glacier trips.

Peyto Glacier from the lookout, Icefields parkway via Peyto Lake.
I'll remember more.

Dave

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Campgrounds near "day-hike-able" glaciers in BC?

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