Near Nigel Pass
Nigel Creek is below the trail near the Nigel Creek Trailhead.
Near Nigel Pass
The forest thins into meadows dotted with firs as the trail climbs to Nigel Pass from the Nigel Creek Trailhead. Headwater streams of Nigel Creek run to the left of the trail.
Near Nigel Pass
Mountains, snowfields, and glaciers to the south, seen from meadows high on the trail to Nigel Pass from the Nigel Creek Trailhead, almost to the pass.
Near Nigel Pass
Nigel Pass

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Hike Route

Nigel Pass

4.0 (1 Rating)
From the fir forest, through fir studded meadows, to the alpine meadows of Nigel Pass, creeks and mountains everywhere.
9.7
mi
Distance
1,188
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
River/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
9.71mi
Distance
1,188ft
Elevation Gain
1,188ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
7,218ft
High Point
6,148ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
The Nigel Creek Trailhead and trail to Nigel Pass can be found on the east side of Icefields Parkway (93) just south of the Columbia Icefields.From the trailhead, the trail to Nigel Pass heads north along Nigel Creek (to the right of the trail) on a flat fire road through fir forest for the first 1.1 miles. At this point there is a sign showing that the hiking trail turns right, off of the fire road, onto singletrack trail. Nigel Creek is crossed via a log bridge almost immediately, and the trail then climbs through the fir forest as it follows Nigel Creek (now to the left of the trail) upstream. The trees thin as the trail climbs, and views of the mountains to the south emerge. Continuing to climb, the firs become sparser and the trail runs through meadows with mountains rising on both sides of the Nigel Creek valley that the trail runs through. After a final push, Nigel Creek peters out and Nigel Pass is reached at the 4.8 mile mark.The Brazeau River is just a few steps further and a great place to take a break and have a snack or lunch. After enjoying the views, river, and pass, return to the trailhead by hiking down the trail the way you came up.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Joan Pendleton