Mountain Glacier Crest (0 m / 0 ft)

Glacier Crest is a ridge separating the Illecillewaet Glacier from the Asulkan Glacier in Canada’s Glacier National Park. In reality, the ridge is an arête that was carved out by the two glaciers as they once flowed down the valley. The views from the top are fantastic. Besides the two glaciers mentioned, you get incredible views of Mount Sir Donald, Perley Rock, Eagle Peak, Avalanche Peak, Abbott Ridge, Sapphire Col, the summit of Rogers Pass, and a multitude of peaks situated north of the Trans-Canada Highway.

British Columbia, Canada, North America

The trailhead for the Glacier Crest hike is accessed from the Illecillewaet Campground, which in turn is accessed from the Trans-Canada Highway, just west of the Rogers Pass Visitor Center at the summit of Rogers Pass. Park at the second parking lot at the campground and then follow the gravel road to the old CPR rail bed, now known as the 1885 Rails Trail. Turn right here and cross the Illecillewaet River. Shortly after that, you will find the Glacier House monument. This former site of the Glacier House is the trailhead for 8 different hikes, including Glacier Crest. If you are driving in from the east, before you reach the turnoff for the Illecillewaet Campground, you will see a sign saying Asulkan ----------> Illecillewaet -----> at a gated off parking area. Though you can potentially pull off and park here (outside the gate) and take a faint, overgrown trail which meets up with the 1885 Rails Trail (where you would turn left), this is not ideal for accessing the trailhead. Continue on a short distance further to the Illecillewaet Campground turnoff instead. From the Glacier House monument, all the trails are clearly marked and signed. The Glacier Crest hike is 4.8 km to the summit (one way) with 1005 m (3300 feet) elevation gain. Of interest is the amount of Devil’s Club growing alongside the trail. As the trail nears the summit, it has a few steeper sections that border on scrambling, but shouldn’t pose any real difficulties for those accustomed to hiking in the mountains. On the way back down, consider taking the 0.1 km side diversion to the Meeting of the Waters, where the Asulkan Brook joins the Illecillewaet River. It’s a nice spot to sit for a minute and relax after a day of hiking.

Visiting Glacier National Park requires having a National Park Pass. Daily passes are available, however, if you plan on multiple visits to national parks within Canada in a year, an annual pass may become an economical alternative. Annual passes allow access into 27 of Canada’s 39 national parks. Click here for a full list of fees for Glacier National Park. Pets are permitted on hiking trails in the park, but must be on a leash at all times by law.

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