Wenkchemna Pass
Moraine Lake Area
Continental Divide at the head of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Gateway between Banff and Kootenay. Via Eiffel Lake trail; branches off at Sentinel Pass junction. Final approach: steep switchbacks over shale and quartzite. Wenkchemna Peak (3,170 m) looms over the pass; Wenkchemna Glacier (debris-covered) feeds the electric-blue lakes. View west into Tokumm Creek Valley and Mount Biddle. Group of four often required; bear spray mandatory.
Read the full guide in the Encyclopedia
A rugged, long-distance objective that takes you to the very head of the Valley of the Ten Peaks and the border between Alberta and British Columbia.
The Route Experience
Continuing past Eiffel Lake, the trail becomes increasingly rocky and remote. The final approach to the pass is a series of steep switchbacks over loose shale.
- The Continental Divide: Stand on the ridge that separates the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds at Wenkchemna Pass.
- Wenkchemna Glacier: You'll have a top-down view of the debris-covered Wenkchemna Glacier.
Safety & Warnings
- Distance: This is a long day (nearly 20 km return). Start early and bring plenty of food and water.
- Remote: You will see far fewer people here than on other trails. Ensure someone knows your plan.
Photography Tips
- Tokumm Creek: The view west into Kootenay National Park and the Tokumm Creek valley is wild and pristine.
- Glacial Debris: Capture the patterns of the moraines and rock glaciers in the upper basin.