Abbott Ridge

This particular hike comes with a few warnings to consider at the onset. The first is that this is a highly strenuous hike. You will be climbing over a thousand meters of elevation on a sub 7km trail. Do not let the short overall distance mislead you; this hike will take the better part of the day even if you are in excellent shape. The second warning is that this trail can have snow on it deep into the summer due to the elevation. Parks Canada usually doesn't even open up the trail until late June, and I have encountered scattered snow on the trail as late as August. If you intend to do this hike earlier in the season, be prepared to deal with snow. 

There is parking at Illecillewaet campground. Once parked, walk up the trail and to the right over the river towards the ruins of Glacier House, which you may enjoy exploring before beginning the hike. A trail loops around the ruins leading to various trailheads. Find the trailhead for Abbott Ridge to start your journey.

The first section of the trail is a test of strength right out of the gate. Mount Abbott doesn't give you any time to warm up. Instead, it immediately presents you with steep switchbacks through the forest. The trail will continue to test you in this way until you reach Marion Lake, which isn't much more than an oversized mucky puddle.

After Marion, the experience begins to improve as you trek through an old boulder field upwards. You will reach a fork during this stretch. Both directions lead to Abbott Ridge. If you go left you will take a longer trek around a glacial basin, while the right is a steeper but more direct route to the top. Both routes are fantastic, consider taking one on the way up and the other down. For simplicity, this plan presumes you use the shorter route.

Eventually, you will emerge into a massive meadow strewn with boulders and infested with belligerent marmots. This meadow was the resting place of a glacier that has disappeared over the last few decades. You will make your way across the field, beginning to enjoy your first proper views of Abbott's splendor. Directly behind you across the valley is the dark form of mighty Mount Sir Donald, the tallest mountain in the range.

Once across the glacial meadow, you will begin following the trail along the base of a massive rock wall; this is the bottom of Abbott Ridge. The trail winds around the rock and then veers upward towards its spine. Don't be afraid to take your time on this final stretch; most hikers are not acclimatized for this elevation; you will feel dizzy and light-headed. The final stretch is demanding but worth the effort once you are on top of the ridge and can enjoy the panoramic view. 

If you are looking for a bit of extra distance, you can follow the ridge's spine past the "end of the trail" sign, leading you to the peak of Mount Abbott and a view of the Asulkan Glacier. At the peak, you are standing at 2,463m above sea level.