Parker Ridge Hike

Trailhead: Parker Ridge is located near the Columbia Icefields, 107kms south Jasper and approximately 104kms north of Lake Louise. Park at the Parker Ridge parking lot located approximately 15kms east of the Ice Fields visitor Centre. Banff National Park.

Description: 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 Creek Hostel parking lot cross the highway head east and find the old gravel road that leads to the Hilda Creek Hostel.

A short distance down the road you’ll see a well worn trail on your left heading up towards Hilda and Parker Ridge. This trail quickly climbs above the tree line onto the Parker and Hilda Meadows. Wildflowers are abundant from mid July to mid August. Make sure you stay on the trails 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, Mount Castleguard, Mount Saskatchewan, Castleguard Pass, Castleguard Meadows, North Saskatchewan River and the Saskatchewan Glacier come into view. Spectacular views of the valley below and the high waterfalls on Mount Saskatchewan 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 Little Athabasca. You are in bear country

Jasper National Park Hiking PDF

Icefields Parkway Area Map PDF