Snowbird Pass Trail (Berg Lake Trail), British Columbia

[1-Mt. Robson south face]












On August 2, 2008 I posted a visual hike of the Berg Lake Trail to Berg Lake and the northern face of Mt. Robson. This is a continuation of that post with the trail continuing to Snowbird Pass.

[2- Berg Lake, Berg Glacier and northern face of Mt. Robson]

Snowbird Pass is closed May and June due to caribou calving. A challenging route marked by rock cairns (caution required), which provides spectacular views of the back of Mount Robson. From Berg Lake campsite the trip is 22 km, return. Start north of Rearguard campsite, follow Robson River then travel up to Robson Glacier's moraine. Hike up to an alpine meadow, beyond which is Snowbird Pass.

From Berg Lake campground, follow the main trail northeast. In 100 m, immediately after the Toboggan Creek bridge, the trail to Toboggan Falls forks left and ascends generally northwest. Proceed on the main trail.

[3- Snowbird Pass Trail with Rearguard Mountain on the right]



Pass Rearguard campground at 1 km.


[4- view looking back to Berg Lake past Rearguard campsite]



Beyond Rearguard, the trail leads generally east-northeast onto a gravel flat. Reach a junction at 1.4 km. The trail leading straight passes a ranger station in 100 m then continues generally northeast to Robson Pass campground.
























[5- Sign where toe of Robson Glacier was in 1911]





[6- view of Mt. Robson Glacier before long ascent]


For Snowbird Pass, go right and hike along the meltwater stream toward the toe of Robson Glacier.


[7- higher up, glacial pond, looking behind]


At 2.2 km, bear right (southeast) where a cutoff trail to Robson Pass forks left. Ahead, the marginal lake at the glacier’s toe is where the Robson River begins.


[8- toe of Robson Glacier]



[9- Looking back from last photo along trail]



The trail ascends the lateral moraine of Robson Glacier, enabling you to overlook the ice for the next 3 km. Be cautious: the rocks cave in where the ice has melted.



















[10- More of Robson Glacier revealed]


[11- Along Robson Glacier]




At 7.4 km, the trail turns away from the glacier and begins a switchbacking climb past a cascade.

[12- Above Robson Glacier]






































[13- waterfall on Snowbird Pass Trail]





A steep, eastward ascent follows the left side of a stream. The grade eases in an alpine meadow. Aim for the low point on the ridge ahead. The superior route bends left and stays north of the stream.

[14- alpine meadow]




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[16- Crossing the meadow]



[17- Ptarmigan (snowbird) beside Snowbird Pass Trail]

These birds are 14 inches. In winter both adults have white plumage with a black tail and bill and a black eye line. The feet are feathered. In summer the male has dark brown plumage with white wings and a white belly. The female in summer has mottled brown plumage and white wings.

The ptarmigan feeds on seeds, fruits, buds, and insects in the summer but in winter is confined to buds and twigs. Its stomach is adapted to this diet having special bacteria enabling it to digest woody material Another adaptation is the feathered feet which act as snowshoes, allowing the bird to walk on soft snow. The feathers are hollow and filled with air which provide the bird with some insulation. The female will lay 6 - 9, sometimes as many as 16 buff-coloured eggs. The male defends the territory while the female incubates the eggs for around 21 days. The chicks are very quick to leave th enest and fly within ten days.

[18- Snowbird Pass Trail with late blooming wildflowers]



[19- Mt. Robson from Snowbird Pass Trail]






[20- View behind while ascending first of several minor ridges]


Follow cairns up a steep boulder field to crest Snowbird Pass at 10.6 km.

[21- Cairn at the end of meadow]




[22- Trail near top of Snowbird Pass with snow]



[23- Coleman Glacier at the top of Snowbird Pass with large cairn at Jasper National Park, Alberta]

It is not wise to attempt glacier travel unless experienced and with a guide.




[24- Heading back to Mt. Robson]




For more information about hiking and Canada's Parks go to the sidebar under "Conservation and Nature".

Research: BC Parks, A Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Michael Vanner (2006) Paragon Publishing p. 88

Photo Credits: [1][2]-Wikipedia, [3][13][15][17][18][19]-brilang-CC=nc-sa-flickr, [4][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][14][16][20][21][22][23][24]-HandsLive CC=flickr, [5]-merehike.

The Berg Lake Trail (British Columbia)

[1-click to enlarge]


Berg Lake is located within Mount Robson Provincial Park, at the foot of the north face of Mount Robson (photo shows south face at sunset), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954m.

Berg Lake can be reached by following a marked hiking trail for 22 kilometres from the parking lot. To reach the parking lot, follow the Yellowhead Highway (#16) west from the Jasper townsite for 84 km (53 miles) to the Mount Robson Viewpoint centre. Here you will find gas, camping, a café and convenience store. On the north side of the highway follow a two-lane paved road for two km, ending at the good sized parking lot. Although some people go to Berg Lake on day one, consider making it a two-day hike (biking to the 7 km point helps a bit) and, you will want a full day or two at Berg Lake, minimum. Although the trail is easy to follow, this is wilderness, and be prepared for weather changes, bugs, and wildlife (i.e. bears). Bring first aid gear, sunscreen, good boots, food, and lots of water even if you are not spending the night.


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[3] There are reminders from BC Parks about hazards along the trail at various locations.




[4A] This photo shows the rise in elevation from the parking lot which is almost 900m altitude. The altitude at Berg Lake campsite is slightly under 1700m. For those with asthma or other medical conditions it would be an extremely difficult hike after Kinney Lake as the oxygen level thins. It could be managed safely provided one used the general rule of thumb method of not ascending more than 300 metres (1,000 feet) per day to sleep, as well as approval from your family doctor.



[4B-First portion of trail before Kinney Lake - click to enlarge]



The Berg Lake Trail is well marked, progressing in several stages, appropriate for various abilities.



[4C-Berg Lake Trail bridge - click to enlarge]




Past Kinney Lake it is considered a difficult trail; for less fit hikers break the hiking into sections by stopping at one or more of the seven campsites along the trail: Kinney Lake, Whitehorn, Emperor Falls, Marmot, Berg Lake, Rearguard, and Robson Pass. Each campground has a cluster of tent pads for a single tent up to 10’ x 10’ and 1 to 6 people (all ages) per pad. Some of the campsites require a reservation with BC Parks.

[5-Berg Lake Trail - First 7km is like this]

A day hike to Kinney Lake and return takes approxi-mately 2.5 hours. The trail winds through old-growth cedar/hemlock forest as it follows the Robson River to Kinney Lake. The hike offers incredible scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The first stage of the hike takes you on a very wide and well marked trail to Kinney Lake. Big trees, some interpretive signs, and rushing water characterize the first 5km. The trail climbs gradually alongside the Robson River (a tributary of the Fraser River) for 4.2 kilometres before reaching Kinney Lake where there is a primitive campground and a rest area. This is a nice destination for those out for a day hike.

[7- Kinney Lake - 7km mark]





The trail continues generally northwest, past the north end of the lake (bike lock up) where a sign offers two options: take the rocky boulder-strewn flood plain in the lowlands (not always passable, but shorter and easier), or, take the longer trail on the higher ground. Both reconnect with the main trail at the end of the lake (and a larger bridge). At 8.5 km cross a bridge to the Robson River’s west bank. Proceed onto a broad alluvial plain. At 9 km begin the steep ascent of Whitehorn Hill.


[8- Looking back to Kinney Lake, Robson River and gravel flats about 9km in trail]


Shortly afterward you will face an uphill section, with switchbacks, which flattens out and carries on for a few more kilometers to the Ranger station and Whitehorn Campground -- near the suspension bridge. This is another great day one stop from Kinney Lake. On the west bank is a ranger station. Cross to the east bank and arrive at Whitehorn campground. It has a spacious, open-air cooking shelter.


[9- Whitehorn campsite and ranger station]



[10- leaving White-horn campsite]







[11- one of the suspension bridges - click to enlarge]

In the next few kilometres, you then cross two steel bridges over the Robson River. The first is a suspension bridge. The next stage continues on 1 km beyond the campground and then 4km of daunting steep uphill towards Berg Lake via Emperor Falls. There are many lookouts in the Valley of a Thousand Falls.


[12 - Waterfall in Valley of a Thousand Falls - click to enlarge]


At 11.8 km cross another suspension bridge, back to the river’s west bank. Heading north, begins a steep ascent with switchbacks. The trail continues generally north, into Valley of a Thousand Falls.



[13- Looking back down to White-horn Campsite]



[14- Indian Paint-brush]






[15-looking back on trail up to White Falls]











[17- river below White Falls]





Over the next few kilometres, you will pass White Falls as the trail gains 450 m in the next 3.5 km along the rugged Robson River gorge.


[18-White Falls - click to enlarge]




[19- above top of White Falls, lowest of the three]






[21- Falls of the Pool]










After Falls of the Pool comes the magnificent Emperor Falls.


[22- Emperor Falls - click to enlarge]

At 15.4 km take the short spur to pay homage to the mighty Emperor.



[22B-Mt Robson from Emperor Falls campground - click to enlarge]


Near Emperor Falls campground, at approximately 16 km, the trail levels. It heads northeast, then curves east entering rocky terrain in the upper Robson River Valley.

[23-Going around and above swampy area]






[24- Scree trail above swampy bit of valley]




[25- Mist Glacier] The cliffs of Mt. Robson now dominate the scene. Mist Glacier is soon visible to the east. Will reach Marmot campground at 18.8 km.





At 19.1 km, the Hargreaves Glacier/Mumm Basin trail forks left, ascending generally north-northwest. Bear right on the main trail, heading generally northeast, paralleling the northwest shore of Berg Lake. Reach Berg Lake campground at 21 km.

[26- Berg Glacier on Mt. Robson, Berg Lake]


When you reach Berg Lake you are treated to views of Mt. Robson and the Emperor Face. You can also watch the Glacier calve into the water. The turquoise colored Berg Lake is dotted with icebergs even in the middle of summer. There is primitive camping and a BC Parks hut at Berg Lake.


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The Hargreaves Shelter (photo) serves backpackers who want to cook indoors. Just 100 m past the campground, immediately after the Toboggan Creek bridge, the trail to Toboggan Falls forks left and ascends generally northwest. If you want more privacy than is available at Berg Lake, and you’re willing to forego quick access to the shelter, continue up the main trail, past the lake’s northeast end, to Rearguard campground, at 22 km.

There are other trips to Hargreaves Lake, Tobbogan Falls, Mumm Basin, Snowbird Pass (closed in May and June due to caribou calving), the toe of the Robson Glacier, and Moose River which will be covered in later posts.

The Texqakallt, a Secwepemc people (also commonly known as the Shuswap) are the earliest inhabitants of the area, call it Yuh-hai-has-kun or The Mountain of the Spiral Road. The Shuswap are a First Nations group located in the area around Kamloops.

The B.C. legislature created the park in 1913, the same year as the first ascent of Mount Robson by a party led by Conrad Kain.

The first recreational trail was built in 1913 by Jasper outfitter Donald "Curly" Phillips along the Robson River to Berg Lake.

This park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, together with the other national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, for the mountain landscapes containing mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons and limestone caves as well as fossils found here.


Research: wikipedia, trailpeaks.com;
Photo credits: [1]-Dru! CC=nc-flickr, [2]-Mike the Mountain CC=nc-flickr, [4A][12]-merehikes CC=nc-flickr, [3][4B][4C][11]-kleinmantara CC=nc-sa-flickr, [5][7][13][15][17][19][21][23][24][25][26]-HandsLive CC=flickr, [8][10][12][14][18][22B]-brilang CC=nc-sa-flickr, [9]-mikewarren CC=nc-sa-flickr, [22]-Feffel CC=nc-sa-flickr, [27]-Loriane Zachery Agnes Nicholas CC=sa-flickr.