A moderate hike to some fantastic views from the pass.

Trailhead
There is a wooden kiosk at the northwest corner of the parking lot. The trail starts next to the kiosk. Check the notice board for information on bear activity.

Note
You probably want to know that “Balu” means bear. This trail passes through some of the finest bear habitat you’ll ever find. The trail will be closed at times by the park wardens. On occasion the park limits access to groups of six or more. (Groups of six have never been attacked by a bear… so far.) [read more]

Trail
For the first 700 metres, the trail switchbacks steeply up through the forest before leveling off and entering the first slide path. It stays in slide paths for the next 3.5 kilometres before entering an alpine bowl and switchbacking up the headwall to the pass. The park trail crew has thoughtfully cleared the slide alder away from the trail, so you can usually see quite a ways ahead on the trail.

When you get to the pass, you are looking down on upper Cougar Creek, a spectacular view in its own right. But if you turn left and go to the crest of the slight hill, you get a fantastic panorama of the Illecillewaet, Lily and Bonney glaciers, as well as Mt. Swanzey and Mt. Bonney.

On the way to the crest of that hill, you might notice a green plastic thing to your right. This is a non-covered outhouse. Please use it to avoid polluting the alpine area. When they get around to rating outhouses for views, this one has to be in the top five on the planet.

The trail continues past the pass and returns to the highway at Cougar Creek, but this section is now closed.

The Nakimu Caves are also accessed from the pass, but they too are closed to the public.

Cautions

• Check for bear notices at the kiosk, and keep a sharp eye out for bear sign.
• The trail might be closed, or group size limitations of six of more may be in effect. Check at the kiosk. For more information, visit the visitor centre.
• This is a National Park trail. Don’t expect to be alone.

From the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 1 in Golden, drive west on the Trans Canada Highway for 77.5 kilometres to the summit of Rogers Pass. Turn right into the service area, drive past the visitor centre (the building with the grass roof) and park at the end of the lot.