Starting from the signed trailhead (north side of Highway 93, 105.0 kilometres southeast of junction with Highway 16 or 47.0 kilometres northwest of junction with Highway 11), Zosia and I followed the official trail which climbs gradually but steadily for about 3.5 kilometres to Wilcox Pass.  In dry conditions, this trail is very straightforward to hike.  Something new at the pass that neither Zosia nor I had seen before is a signed side trail that climbs southwesterly up to a viewpoint overlooking the Icefields Centre.  The sign refers to the destination as Wilcox Ridge, and virtually everyone we encountered at the pass were heading that way.  We instead turned north and went off-trail aiming for the lower and less technical part of a long ridge flanking the east side of Wilcox Pass.  Some marshy ponds just north of the pass necessitate a bit of route-finding or rock-hopping, but we managed to get past them without getting our feet wet.  As we ascended the slope beyond the ponds, we stumbled onto a convenient trail which led us to the crest of the ridge.  Rounding the corner on the ridge, we were surprised that Wilcox Lake was nowhere in sight.  Not to be denied, we dropped down into the valley on the far side of the ridge, and after crossing some easy but undulating terrain, we finally found the elusive lake.  Zosia also spotted a couple of bighorn sheep lounging on a rise overlooking the lake, and they hardly flinched when we plopped down for an extended break a short distance away.

	A black bear nonchalantly climbs up an embankment on the side of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) near the Big Bend in Banff National Park. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia stands in front of the information kiosk at the Wilcox Pass trailhead.
	Already there are views to the west of Athabasca Glacier, Snow Dome and Dome Glacier.
	The trees begin to thin out as Zosia continues up the trail.

Here is a closer look at Snow Dome (right of centre) flanked by Athabasca Glacier (far left) and Dome Glacier (right).  At bottom centre is Sunwapta Lake.

 

	The summit of Nigel Peak is directly above Zosia.
	Wilcox Peak dominates the landscape in the vicinity of its namesake pass.
	Zosia arrives at Wilcox Pass (2348 metres).
	Zosia finds an interesting fossil in some rocks near the pass.
	Zosia tries to figure out how to get around this barely frozen pond.  Left of centre on the horizon is Tangle Ridge.
	The tops of Snow Dome and Mount Kitchener peek over Wilcox Ridge as Zosia tries to rock-hop across some wet terrain.

This perspective of Wilcox Peak gives a better view of Kane's scramble route along the left skyline.

 

	This is looking back across Wilcox Pass at Mount Athabasca and Mount Andromeda.
	The terrain on the north side of Wilcox Pass shows the hallmarks of glaciation.
	Zosia follows a trail across a rubble slope.
	After cresting the ridge flanking the east side of Wilcox Pass, Zosia easily sees Nigel Peak, but Wilcox Lake is surprisingly not visible.
	Zosia hikes across undulating terrain in search of Wilcox Lake.
	Wilcox Lake finally comes into view.
	Relaxing on a rise above the lake are two bighorn sheep--both rams.
	Here is a close-up of one of the rams.
	Here is a close-up of the other ram.

When the two sheep eventually tired of our company and moved off, Zosia and I dropped down to the lakeshore briefly before backtracking to the ridge.  We picked up the trail there and followed it down the slope until it petered out near the marshy ponds.  Upon returning to Wilcox Pass, we made a detour to check out Wilcox Ridge.  Other than crossing an annoying dip, the out-and-back trail is easy to follow and ends at a superlative viewpoint.  Once we had our fill of jaw-dropping scenery, we returned the same way to the pass, and from there we easily hiked back to the trailhead without trouble.

One of the rams moves leisurely to another location in the valley.

 

	Nigel Peak is reflected in Wilcox Lake.
	Sonny and Zosia stand on the shore of Wilcox Lake.

As Zosia makes her way out of the valley, rugged peaks such as Mount Alberta, Mount Woolley, Diadem Peak, and Mushroom Peak (centre) are noticeable on the horizon.

 

Here is another comprehensive view of Wilcox Pass with Mount Athabasca and Mount Andromeda in the background.  Wilcox Ridge is also visible across the pass.

 

	Zosia follows the Wilcox Ridge trail which drops into a dip ahead.
	This short but steep section of trail could be problematic if icy or wet.
	The viewpoint at trail's end overlooks the Icefields Centre (bottom).
	Here is a view of Wilcox Peak's south ridge from the Wilcox Ridge trail.  Also visible on the right horizon is Sunwapta Peak.
	Nigel Peak commands the eastern flank of Wilcox Pass.
	Most of Mount Athabasca's north face is in shadow late in the day.  The low brown mound at far left is Boundary Peak.
	The Athabasca Glacier is undoubtedly receding at the moment.  For comparison, check out this photo from 2003 which shows the toe of the glacier still covering the upper lake which did not exist then.

Zosia works her way back along the Wilcox Ridge trail with far-reaching views to the southeast.

 

	Near the end of their hike, Sonny and Zosia stop and relax in a couple of red Adirondack chairs placed strategically by Parks Canada.
	Total Distance:  15.3 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  7 hours 42 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain:  779 metres GPX Data