Parker Ridge and Hilda Ridge Hike, Jasper National Park.

Parker Ridge is located near the Columbia Icefields 107Km south of the Jasper townsite and approximately 104K north of Lake Louise. This hike is considered easy with an elevation gain of approximately 300m. Allow two hours for a round trip. The Parker Ridge trailhead is located at a parking lot beside the Icefields Parkway 5Km east of the Columbia Icefields Tourist Center. A less crowded parking lot and route up to both Parker and Hilda Ridges is located 1Km west of the Parker Ridge trailhead parking lot. Starting at the Hilda Ridge Parking lot cross the highway head east and find the old road that leads to the Hilda Creek Hostel. A short distance down this old road you'll see a well worn trail heading upwards towards Hilda and Parker Ridge. This trail quickly climbs above the tree line onto Parker and Hilda Meadows. In Mid July Beautiful Wildflowers are growing all over these meadows. Make sure you stay on the trails here so you do not disturb the fragile tundra. From the meadows you can work your way straight up to the top of Hilda Ridge or head further east to Parker Ridge. Views of the surrounding Valleys are exceptional. Once you reach the top of either ridge you can see Mount Castleguard, Castleguard Pass, Castleguard Meadows, North Saskatchewan River and the Saskatchewan Glacier. Views of the Valley below and the high waterfalls are well worth the effort. Nearby Mount Wilcox and Wilcox Pass can also be seen from this view point. Parker Ridge itself is a fossilized reef. The ground is covered with fossilized corals and sponges. Hard to believe this ridge was once under the sea. Just west of Hilda Ridge is the Hilda Glacier and the south east face of Mount Athabasca, better known as Little Athabasca. Mount Athabasca north Glacier, Hilda Glacier, Nigel Pass, Wilcox Pass, Saskatchewan Glacier, Castleguard Mountain Alpine Climb and Boundary Lake trailhead are also located near here. Don't forget to take your binoculars. You are in bear country.