Mount Robson Access Opens Soon

Mount Robson (Yuh-hai-has-kun) is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and is home to some of North America’s most famous alpine climbs. The main trail that accesses the climbs was closed in 2022 for updates, but some of the trail will reopen soon.

“The trail to Kinney Lake Campground will reopen on June 27 for day-hikes and overnight stays,” a statement from BC Parks said. “On June 27, 18 tent pads will open at the campground. This is seven kilometres from the parking lot and can only be accessed on foot.”

While trail access to Berg Lake, the Emperor Face and the Kain Face will still be closed, access to the South Face route will be open. From Kinney Lake, climbers can follow a steep trail to the Ralph Forster Hut on the south side of Robson. From there, they can climb 1,400 metres from the hut to the summit via the Schwartz Ledges. This route has extreme objective hazards from massive seracs for a few hundreds metres, but the rest of the climb is straightforward.

If conditions are good, the south face is worth a try. From the car to the summit is around a 10,000 foot gain, you travel through lush forest, up long slopes, along glaciers and over alpine rock. It’s less extreme than other climbs on the mountain, but it still gets you to the top.