Hermit Trail
The Hermit Trail starts at a pull-off on the Trans Canada Highway in Rogers Pass and climbs to a high meadows at the foot of the Hermit Range. When we drive to Glacier, we have often chosen this hike because it is shorter and can be done with a later start. The trail climbs through cedar-hemlock forest steeply. In fact, the trail climbs 770 m in a distance of 2.8 km. A steep trail. After about an hour of hard hiking, Mt. McDonald (south) and Hermit Peak (northeast) dominate the views. As the trail goes through a sub-alpine area, views over to the Asulkan Range and Mount Bonney become more and more intriguing.
The trail continues to climb steeply to the edge of the hill, emerging into a high meadow. A backcountry campsites lies at the upper edge of the meadow where the moraines from the glaciers above have advanced. Campers had built a stone table on the edge of the hill.
This is a magical spot with a stream running down to a cascade, wildflowers in the meadows, wide views in every direction, and slopes above awaiting exploration. Above the meadows are a number of peaks for climbers – the Swiss Peaks, Hermit and Tupper, Mount Sifton. and Mt. Rogers. We have explored the upper cirque, climbing the snow and ice and over to the high shoulders of Hermit, but there are many areas yet to explore. We lingered for the views over to Mount Bonney.
Above the backcountry site the moraines rise up to the Swiss Peaks.
But, surrounded by the high peaks of the Selkirk Mountains, Mt. McDonald fills the south view, highlighted by the afternoon sun.
Every time we get to the end of the trail, we regret the decision to limit ourselves to a half day hike. We always want to stay and explore more and so we promise ourselves (again) that we will backpack up to the campsite next time.
