Little Hector Scramble - Icefields Parkway
Photo from the parking lot. The upper summit slope is very foreshortened! Be prepared to persevere!
Left up the right side of the creek bed
Approaching the first and second waterfall
Just before the first waterfall the trail crosses the creek and goes up the left hand side to access the second waterfall area
The route to cross over the second waterfall by a overgrown trail along the rock wall. Some are using the harder option of going directly up the rock.
Unfortunately our group ascended to Hector pass which is slightly longer than the quicker route labeled "LHector". Oh well, trail is better to Hector Pass but maybe extra 10 minutes.
Another closer view the the two routes
Closer view of trail up to Hector Pass. Andromache is accessed from the Pass also
Slightly faster route but more off trail. One may also be able to climb along the beige and grey band to access the lower slope of Little Hector
Once near Hector Pass you can head directly right to the lower slope of Little Hector on fairly solid and slabby terrain.
A nice view of our objective!
A bit of hands down along the rock rib or near the top left part of the snow. Quite steep indeed!
Views are opening up and an idea of the slope angle
Molar Mountain comes into view to the east
The long foreshortened summit slope at last!
And more of it
Summit is just past the black area at the top
Big Hector! That glacier has taken a few lives!
Adeem arrives on the summit
Relaxing after the big effort!
Little Hector Scramble - Icefields Parkway
- Scramble: Class 1 and 2 – Steep Hiking, Some Use of Hands, Care on Upper Waterfall Ledges Required
- Altitude: 3,125m (10,250 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 1,260m (4,133 ft)
- Ascent Time: 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 Hours
- Best Season to Scramble: July to September
Highlights
This scramble offers a great view of glacier clad Mount Hector to the south and to the West and North, Hector Lake, Bow Lake and the Icefields in between. Views up Andromache and Unnamed Peak from Hector Pass are also in plain view. The upper valley you enter give you a real sense of remoteness even though not far from the highway
Getting There
Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1, just a few kms past Lake Louise (187km/116.9mi) take the Icefields Parkway north for around 20km. If your base is Banff head west on the TransCanada to Lake Louise 56km (35.0 miles) and just past Lake Louise take the Icefields Parkway north for around 20km. The parking spot is opposite the valley between Andromache and Mount Hector and is on the left side (West) of the highway. A small cairn and footpath on the road hillside (East side of highway) should be there.
Route Description
Take this footpath and shortly you come to a creek bed with a broader trail heading off to the right. Don’t head right, but go left up the creek bed on the creek bed’s right hand side. Get it! Lol! The trail along the creek bed crosses over to the left side just below cliff bands with lower and upper waterfalls. You get through into the upper valley by climbing up the left side of the waterfall and along ledges actually stepping across the upper waterfall to the right side. Be careful if it’s still icy here. Allow around 40 minutes to the upper waterfall.
From here you enter the basin that leads to Hector Pass or an early detour to the right for Little Hector. Either route will allow you to access the lower black slope of Little Hector. The photos above give you the best view as to accessing the black slope of Little Hector which puts you on the very foreshortened summit slope.