Hiked - 1st to 3rd Aug 2020
My friend Michele and I completed a section of the Brazeau loop as part of an 8 days hike from Nigel Creek to the Signal trailhead. This is a section of the Great Divide Trail that covers three networks of backcountry trails; Brazeau Loop, 6 Passes and Skyline.
I would recommend doing each section separately you can you enjoy each bit for their own unique qualities and then you won’t be so exhausted. We had a great time but I have named this hike the ‘worst but best hike ever’ so that will probably tell you what we were going through.
For the Brazeau section we completed it 2.5 days so here is a breakdown.
Day 1/8 - Nigel Creek Trailhead to Four Point campground
16km - 320 elevation
We got dropped off at the trailhead at 4:45 pm as Michele had to work that day. It was super hot and going up to the Cataract pass junction was pretty brutal. Crossing cataract creek was a great reprieve from the heat. Our bags were so heavy as we had 8 days of food in them and we arrived at the campground at dusk.
Day 2/8 - Four Point Campground to Jonas Cut-Off Campground
19km - 711 elevation / 500 descent
It was a slow and hot morning and the first hill after the campground sucked. We had lots of little stream crossings and lots of wildflowers to look at. We had a break at the pass (with the caribou antlers) but if anyone is reading this, do not do what we did. Keep on walking and you will come across a beautiful alpine lake. That is a much better spot to have a break and to go for a dip.
Heading up to Jonas shoulder was really tough due to the heat and there is no tree coverage. I had my umbrella with me which is totally a hiking hack. After the shoulder, we lost elevation pretty fast and once the mozzies were out we knew that we were close to the campground. As soon as we dropped our packs I went for a swim in the creek and did a push up in the creek because it was so shallow. The mozzies were so bad here, second only to the Tonquin Valley. Number 1 tip for mozzies is to bring mosquito coils, they will save your sanity… we have introduced so many people to them. We made some friends (Lillian and Karl) and introduced them to the miracle that is mozzie coils.
Day 3/8 - Jonas Cut-Off campground to Poboktan campground
14km descent 334
We had breakfast with our new friends and we started hiking really late at 11:30 am-ish because we were so exhausted from the day before. We might have even had a bit of heatstroke actually. The hike was uneventful and the highlight was seeing the warden cabin, the big waterfall at Waterfalls Campground and meeting two older ladies who had husband's at home but were spending 6 days during the Brazeau Loop. We are going to be like them when we are older.
We arrived at Poboktan campground in no time and hung out with a couple about the same age as our parents who were so cool (wish we got their names) Our new friend used dirt and bark to clean his dishes and honestly it works really well.
This is the end of our adventure on the Brazeau Trail the next day we ventured into unmaintained trails and joined the 6 Passes alternate on the Great Divide Trail
For any reservations in Jasper National Park head to the reservations system to check availability. Parks Canada has additional resources on their website.