Glacier National Park of Canada
Backpacking in Glacier National Park
Hermit Trail
Hikers, Bald Hills
© Parks Canada
Length - 2.8 km (one way)
Hiking time - 2 hours, uphill
Elevation range - 1287 to 2057 m
Trailhead - 1.5 km east of Rogers Pass Centre on Trans-Canada Highway
A brutally steep trail that serves as quick access to the Hermit Range which offers good climbing and scrambling opportunities. A designated campsite is located in the Hermit Meadows.
Beaver River Trail
Length - 42 km (to park boundary)
Hiking time - 3 days (one way)
Elevation range - 923 to 1372 m
Trailhead - Turn off the Trans-Canada Highway 10 km east
of Rogers Pass Centre at the hiker symbol. After crossing a bridge over the Beaver River, the left fork of a short gravel road leads to the trailhead.
Photographer, Beaver Valley
© Parks Canada
Offers a route into a wilderness valley with large stretches of old growth forest. This trail and the Copperstain Trail provide access into the park's premium backpacking area. Several combinations of trails and trips are possible.
Copperstain Trail/Bald Hills
Length - 16 km (to Copperstain Pass)
Hiking time - 6 hours, uphill
Elevation range - 923 to 2053 m, Bald Mountain summit -2317 m
Trailhead - same as Beaver River Trail
Leaving the Beaver Valley Trail at Grizzly Creek, this trail accesses the extensive alpine meadows of Bald Mountain. Allow 4 days for the circle route via Caribou Pass and the Beaver Valley. Designated campsites are located at Copperstain Peak, 20 Mile, and at Caribou Pass. The trail is not marked between the Copperstain Peak and Caribou Pass campsites. Hikers must be experienced in routefinding and carry a map and compass in case visibility is poor in the Bald Hills. Copperstain Peak is an excellent side trip from the campsite and worth lingering an extra day in the journey.
Glacier Circle
Length - 8 km (one way from 20 Mile junction)
Hiking time - 5 hours
Elevation range - 1200 to 1800m
Trailhead - 20 Mile junction, 20 km from Beaver River trailhead
A rugged trail that starts with a cable car crossing and ends in a cirque with icefalls on three sides. This trail is accessible from the Beaver River Trail and would constitute an overnight side trip from the 20km point on the trail. An Alpine Club of Canada shelter can be found in Glacier Circle. This historic cabin varies in its state of repair. Contact the Alpine Club
for information on its status.