Section F: Jasper to Mount Robson

It is here where the GDT really starts to become remote. The route heads north from the more travelled sections of Jasper and deep into the hinterlands. Before attempting this section, ensure you’re comfortable with off trail navigation and being self-sufficient. It’s not uncommon to go several days without seeing anyone. On the flip side, by many accounts, this is among the most sublime sections of the GDT.

LEAVING JASPER TOWNSITE

Heading west from the town of Jasper, lies the Yellowhead Highway 16. It’s named after Pierre Hastination, a 19^th century Iroquois trapper and fur trader known for his blonde hair, earning him the nickname Tete Jaune (or Yellow Head). This is probably the most significant portion of road walking on the GDT as the highway can be busy. Some will try to skip this walk and hitchhike the 20 km to the Miette River trailhead. Alternatively, you can avoid the highway by following a network of trails, old tote roads, and a bit of bushwhacking to make it to the same trailhead. Chasing the Miette River up to its source, you’ll climb over Centre, Grant and Colonel Passes before climbing down into the adjacent Moose River valley in Mount Robson Provincial Park. A long access trail here follows the Moose River back down to Highway 16. You’ll ford the river several times as you head up the valley towards Moose Pass at its head.

Campgrounds in this area:

• Minnow Lake (Marjorie-Dorothy Lakes Alternate) – Jasper National Park (Permit and reservations required)
• Miette River – Jasper National Park (random camping permit required)
• Miette Lake – Jasper National Park (random camping permit required)
• Colonel Pass – Jasper National Park (random camping permit required)
• Trio (Moose River Alternate) – BC Parks random camping (No permit required)
• Colonel Creek– BC Parks random camping (No permit required)
• Steppe Creek – BC Parks random camping (No permit required)
• Slide – BC Parks random camping (No permit required)
• Calumet – Jasper National Park (random camping permit required)

Entry / Exit Points

• South – Highway 16   
• Mid – Highway 16 via Moose River Trail
• North – Highway 16 via Berg Lake Trail

Resupply

• Jasper

MOUNT ROBSON AND BERG LAKE

At Smoky River you’ll encounter a key decision point. This is the junction with the world-famous Berg Lake Trail. The route through Mount Robson Provincial Park was the original northern terminus of the GDT and many still exit here. It’s much easier to access the trailhead from here compared to the current northern terminus at Kakwa Lake. Others will use Mount Robson as a resupply point. It is however, a 50 km (30 mile) round trip and permits to camp along the Berg Lake Trail can be difficult to obtain. The trail passes by Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies (3959m or just shy of 13,000 ft) which drops its ice in the aptly named Berg Lake. Note: Due to flooding in 2021, the Berg Lake Trail is currently closed.

Campgrounds in this area:

• Adolphus (off trail) – Jasper National Park (permit and reservation required)
• Robson Pass (Berg Lake Alternate) – BC Parks (permit and reservation required)
• Rearguard (Berg Lake Alternate) – BC Parks (permit and reservation required)
• Berg Lake (Berg Lake Alternate) – BC Parks (permit and reservation required)
• Marmot (Berg Lake Alternate) – BC Parks (permit and reservation required))
• Emperor Falls (Berg Lake Alternate) – BC Parks (permit and reservation required)
• Whitehorn (Berg Lake Alternate) – BC Parks (permit and reservation required)
• Kinney Lake (Berg Lake Alternate) – BC Parks (permit and reservation required)

Entry / Exit Points

• Highway 16 via Berg Lake Trail (currently closed)

Resupply

• Mount Robson (currently closed)