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For many years, I’d driven through Rogers Pass, catching only fleeting glimpses of glaciers and jagged peaks. On September 6th, I finally set aside a day to explore the Asulkan Valley Trail — and was rewarded with a perfect late-summer outing.
🗂️ Quick Facts
Trail Name: Asulkan Valley Trail
Location: Glacier National Park, BC (Rogers Pass area)
Distance: 15.8 km (return)
Elevation Gain: 870 m
Time Required: 6 hrs hiking | ~3 hrs trail running
Trail Fee: $11/day
Trailhead: Illecillewaet Campground / Valley
Highlights: Glacier views, waterfalls, subalpine forest, Asulkan Cabin
Best Season: June–September (bridges removed late Sept)
Difficulty: Moderate → Challenging
Getting There 🚗
I left Kelowna after work on Friday and drove to Canyon Hot Springs for the night. Since I wasn’t sure I could get into Illecillewaet or Brooks Creek campgrounds late in the evening, Canyon Hot Springs was a safe bet thanks to its reservation system.Lesson learned: I had forgotten how loud the trains are. Even with earplugs, they woke me several times during the night.The next morning, I was on the road early and arrived at the Illecillewaet trailhead just after 8 a.m. (construction slowed me a little).
Pro tip: The lot is small and fills quickly, so aim for an early start. The daily trail fee is just $11.
Trail Overview 🏔️
This glacier carved valley begins with a forested trail before steeply climbing a glacial moraine ridge. The trail ends at the Asulkan Cabin, perched below the Illecillewaet Glacier. Beyond the cabin, mountaineering gear and skills are required for the Asulkan Pass.
More info: Parks Canada – Glacier NP Trails
My Run Experience 🏃♂️
The first 8 km were smooth and runnable, winding through lush subalpine forest.
After crossing a large creek via an aluminum bridge, the real climb began.
The moraine ridge is steep, and granite slabs made the footing tricky in places. Each pause to catch my breath came with a reward: sweeping mountain views and the glacier looming closer.
After about 30 minutes of climbing, I broke above treeline onto the plateau where the Asulkan Cabin sits. I didn’t venture higher, but several side trails extend above the hut for those with more time and energy.
Descending required caution as the morraine section has some loose gravel and a few of the granite slabs were slick in spots.
My total moving time was just under 3 hours.
Gear I Brought 🎒
Shoes & Pack:-
Salomon Genesis shoes (more grip compared to Salomon Sense Rides)
Salomon running pack
Hydration & Nutrition:
2 × 500 ml Salomon soft flasks-
Salomon XA filter flask- 2 fruit bars
2 granola bars
Clothing & Safety:
7Mesh Northwoods Windshell (carried for safety despite the clear forecast)
Bear spray
White cotton athletic tape
Body Glide anti-blister stickTech:
iPhone 16 (with emergency satellite connectivity)
Recovery & Bonus Ride 🚴♂️
After finishing the run, I drove back to Canyon Hot Springs for a soak in the hot pools — the perfect way to recover. Still with some energy left, I capped the day off with a ride on Revelstoke’s McPherson mountain bike trails before heading home. I did off course had to stop at D Dutchmen in Sicamous for ice cream.
Final Thoughts
The Asulkan Valley Trail is a gem — runnable in the lower stretches, challenging on the moraine climb, and breathtakingly scenic from start to finish. Whether you’re hiking or trail running, it’s a must-do if you’re passing through Glacier National Park.
