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

[profdant139]

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!)

[SteveAE]

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]

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]

Duncan Lake area camping will "usually” have Mosquito’s, so we go in the fall Huckleberry Picking up Glacier Creek
Soup

[SteveAE]

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]

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]

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]

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]

How about the Club Tread database

clubtread search with 'glacier'

[crosscheck]

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]

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

[crosscheck]

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 NP




Perley Rock, Illecillewaet Glacier, Glacier NP

Dave

[SideHillSoup]

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

[canadafan]

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

[n7bsn]

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.