Steep climb through forest, interesting trail across rock face, superb views from ridge.

Trailhead
At the end of the parking area, walk past three orange metal posts blocking access to a gravel road. Head up the road for 80 metres until it intersects with another gravel road. (This is the old railway bed.) Turn right on this road and follow it for 140 metres until you reach the Glacier House monument and ruins. The trail begins on the left side, just before the stone monument. Follow the main trail for 100 metres, and turn right on to the Marion Lake/Abbott Ridge trail before you reach the end of the Glacier House ruins.

Trail
The trail climbs steeply through the forest to reach Marion Lake at 2.6 km. About 500 metres above the lake, the trail splits into two. Take the right hand route, marked “Shortcut.” Rest assurred it is no steeper than what you’ve come up so far. [read more]

The trail switchbacks through thinning trees and scattered rock before reaching the weather station. On the lip above the station, the other trail rejoins the one you’re on. Climb through the alpine meadow towards the base of the rock face. Don’t worry about going back for ropes and rock bolts… there actually is an easy trail to the top. It switchbacks along ledges and then rounds the north end of the ridge to make the final ascent on the west side. If the snowpatch on the west side persists, stay on the right hand side of it to pick up the trail at the top.

There is a sign indicating the end of the official trail. It is possible to continue along the ridge if you are comfortable with it. (In fact, it is possible to continue all the way along the range to the bivvy hut at Sapphire Col, but that requires mountaineering gear and training. See the alpine climbing guide Selkirks South for more information.)

On the way down, when you come over the lip and see the weather station, take the trail on the left, not the one that goes straight ahead.

From Abbott Ridge, you can see mountains and ice in every direction. The Bonney Glacier is to the west, the Illecillewaet Neve is to the southeast, and you can see right up Cougar Creek to the northwest.

From the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 1 in Golden, drive west on the Trans Canada Highway for 81 kilometres. Drive past the Rogers Pass centre and head down the steep hill on the west side of the pass. When the highway becomes twinned in a 50 kilometre zone, get ready to turn left into the Illecillewaet campground at 83.4 km. Drive past the campground and park in the paved parking area.