August 2, 2020
Mount Wilcox
Banff National Park, Alberta
Stats as Recorded by Suunto Traverse
Distance : 10.97 km
Elevation : 741m
Ascent : 2h28m
Descent : 2h21m
I didn't summit because moderate solo-scrambling and second trimester of pregnancy didn't seem to be the brightest idea. Plus I told my husband I'd play it safe. This col is right before the summit and I probably had another 100 ish metres of elevation to gain after this, but I assumed I'd get a similar view and decided this would be as good a place as any to stop. The peak of Mount Wilcox can be seen to the right, with a faint trail leading up to it.
From my map here you can see there are several trails to take up to the peak. I took a trail branching off to the right before I stopped and there was mostly just steep scree and loose shale involved in that ascent - no scrambling. I didn't want to go down the same way because the scree wasn't too soft and it was quite significantly graded (I'd say at least 30%). I opted for a different route (the lower one as you can see) which descends a bit more gradually and involves one easy scrambling move (pictured to the right) through a gully. I guess if you wanted to avoid scrambling completely and still reach my view of the glaciers and different peaks, you could take the scree route up and down, but make sure you have poles for your knees.
The rest of the way back was a leisurely stroll through the pass and into the forest. Up to the pass (the middle of the yellow line in the map) is heavily trafficked - I saw about 30 groups of hikers this weekend. Past the pass and onto the ridge, about half the hikers thinned out, and by the time I got to where this snow began (just before the beginning of the scramble), I only encountered two other groups of two. It's a great way to feel like you're alone, but still within reach of humanity if you want to get into solo-hiking. Plus, there's reception in parts of it because you're right by the Icefields Centre cell tower.
10/10 would recommend and can't wait until I can go back to finish the scramble and get a legitimate panoramic shot at the peak of all the surrounding glaciers and
We bushwacked through overgrown forest, fallen trees and unfamiliar "trail" for 2 hours.
This alpine moss has been growing for a hundred years, and the glacier has been retreating even longer.
Make sure you explore before it is too late!