Wenkchemna Pass
Wenkchemna Pass, situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, offers hikers a challenging ascent leading to unparalleled vistas. From the pass’s pinnacle, one stands atop the Continental Divide. On the Alberta side, the iconic Ten Peaks rise majestically: Mounts Babel, Fay, Little, Bowlen, Tonsa, Perren, Allen, Tuzo, Deltaform Mountain, and Neptuak Mountain. Over on the British Columbia side, the towering summits of Mount Goodsir, Chancellor Peak, Mount Vaux, Mount Des Poilus, and Yoho Peak add to the grandeur. The journey to Wenkchemna Pass is not just a hike, but an encounter with some of the Rockies’ most iconic landmarks.
At the beginning of the season I bought 5 reservations of Parks Canada shuttle to Lake Moraine. For 2 people it’s $19 each if you book online (8 + 8 + 3). In the entire World online reservations are cheaper than buying tickets in person because website automation saves office/reception expenses. Parks Canada invented a very smart way to rob you for every sneeze: first they charge you $3 (not refundable) on top of bus ticket price for the reservation, then another $3 (also not refundable) for cancellation, if you decided not to go because of weather or any other reason. And off course there is gazillion of possible reasons: during the season I had to cancel all my reservations because of wildfire smoke, heavy rain, not feeling well, work emergency, etc, except this last one, so basically Parks Canada just stole $24 from me. I prefer to think that I donated my money in hope that they spend it on something good, but I am definitely not going to book their shuttle in advance next year. It’s not like I cannot afford “$3 for every transaction”, I just don’t understand what the hell I am paying for. For the opportunity to pay? Can it be more ridiculous? I say “cancelled” means “cancelled”, please refund my money. Or is it just me?
Anyway, this was our last reservation for the season, and we decided to go even if loose rocks would be raining from the sky, or Moraine Lake would burn down to the bottom. We didn’t even know for sure where exactly we are going, could be easily Eiffel, Wasatch, or Consolation Lakes, or Panorama Ridge, definitely not Temple (not enough time before the last shuttle back). The final decision has been made at the Eiffel Lake fork.
At that point we could either scramble up to Wastach Mountain, or hike three more kilometers straight to the pass. We were having a snack when sitting right at the scrambling route up to Wastach, decided that we are not in the mood for scrambling, and finally landed on Wenkchemna Pass as a goal for the day. Well, it was low effort with high reward. Unfortunately larches were gone (we were about 1 week late, but weather a week ago was not cooperating, so no regrets). Despite of brown larches, views of Ten Peaks were exceptional, especially all the way back, when Sun was on the South and West. Almost entire trail was dry, foot deep snow on final ascent to the Continental Divide, but well packed, not an issue if you have poles and crampons. We did.
Saw bear tracks at the top, right next to the sign about mandatory 4 people in a group if you want to descend to BC side. We were sure the BC bear already ate all 4, i.e. was not hungry, and we spent some time at the col taking pictures, then ran the hell out of there. Breathtaking views of Temple, Eiffel, Wastach and the valley from the col. And of BC side off course. On the way back we felt guilty that did not bag any peak this time, and descended to Eiffel Lake – highly recommend if no wind, – reflections are unbelievable.
More photos from our Wenkchemna Pass hike are here: