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Hiking Fryatt Valley - Jasper Backpacking


Fryatt Lake, Jasper

Fryatt Valley is certainly not a very popular backcountry hike in Jasper National Park. It might not be as iconic as the Skyline Trail or Tonkin Valley, but it is a wonderful backcountry hike. The trail provides some beautiful views of some iconic mountain peaks and ranges.


Fryatt Valley is, in our opinion, quite possibly the most underrated backcountry hike Jasper National Park. The views are spectacular and there is a remarkably pristine lake very near the end of the trail. A cabin located at the top of the Headwall marks the end of the trail. This trail does require a decent amount of backcountry camping knowledge as the trail is considered difficult - you definitely shouldn’t venture onto this trail if this is your first overnight hiking experience.





Fryatt Valley Creek, Jasper

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Getting to Fryatt Valley Trailhead


Fryatt Valley trailhead is located 31km (19.2mi) outside the town of Jasper along Geraldine road near the Athabasca Falls. The trailhead is marked and there is plenty of signage. The parking lot is very small and often people may be required to park further away.


The only real way to get to the trailhead is with your own vehicle, there is no cell phone coverage in this region and the road is too infrequently traveled to rely on hitchhiking.


It should also be noted that this portion of Geraldine road is gravel and portions of the road are prone to flooding during periods of intense rain. If you have an SUV or pickup truck, we highly encourage you to take that over your sedan.


This portion of Geraldine Road is usually closed from November to April.



Itinerary and Checklist


There are several different options for building your Fryatt Valley itinerary. Be honest with your stamina and ability when creating your itinerary and be aware of the elevation gains you are incorporating into your plans. Because you may be gone as long as 3 days on the trail, it is very important you bring everything needed for a short hike like this.








Contrary to popular belief, there are only two backcountry campgrounds and one cabin located along this hike. Several sites claim there are three backcountry campgrounds: this is not true - the Headwall Campground was closed several years ago because it sits in an avalanche area.


Be sure to purchase your backcountry permit and your Parks Canada pass at the Park entrance or by using the online service website.


a distance and elevation chart for Fryatt Valley

Itinerary:

Before you start building your Fryatt Valley itinerary, you should consult with our elevation and distance chart to get a better understanding of what you’ll be facing on this hike. The vast majority of hikers will complete this in 2-3 days.


There are really only two possible options to complete this trail: in two nights or in three nights. Based on our experience with the trail, we will provide you with itineraries that we think are the most realistic and achievable - but please complete the hike whichever way makes sense for your trip!


It should also be noted that you are permitted to ride your bike to the Lower Fryatt Campground. If you are able to get a bike there, a wonderful alternative is to ride your bike to Lower Fryatt and then to hike up to the Alpine Club of Canada cabin and spend two nights there.


Two Nights (What We Did)


Fryatt Valley Creek Jasper

For a two night hike, we recommend hiking to Brussels Campground on the first night. This might seem like a strenuous demand, but it really is quite manageable. The 12.6km (7.8mi) hike to Lower Fryatt is nearly completely flat and will be very easy to traverse. Lower Fryatt will make a great lunch point. Then continue on with the steady climb up to Brussels Campground. You should be able to reach Brussels in less than 7 hours (including 30 min lunch).


The next day, you can leave your tent set up at Brussels Campground and struggle up the Headwall to the ACC hut. We recommend you have lunch at the ACC hut. If you feel up to it, there is another lake 2km (1.2mi) past the ACC hut and it is worth the stop! Return to the Brussels Campground and enjoy a relaxing afternoon and hike out to the trailhead in the morning.


Three Nights


Fryatt Valley Creek Jasper

If two nights seems a little too ambitious for you - or maybe you just want to take the hike very easy - three nights is the perfect option. For this option, we recommend hiking to Lower Fryatt on the first night. Hiking there will prove to be fairly easy and this will leave you with plenty of free time to relax.

The next day you can press on to Brussels Campground and set up camp. This hike should take you less than 3.5 hours.


If possible, we recommend trying to incorporate the Headwall and cabin as well - that way you can spend the night recovering before you carry on. Return to Brussels Campground before hiking out the next day.


Consult with the Parks Canada webpage for more information regarding this hike.



The Fryatt Valley Hike


the mountain ranges in Fryatt valley

fryatt valley hike chart

Other than a few issues with the bridges, Fryatt Valley trail is very well marked and is very visible. Fryatt Valley is best completed from early July to mid September - weather dependent. Dogs are permitted on the trail. This trail, particularly after Lower Fryatt, is incredibly rocky - be sure you bring plenty of blister care treatment items.


We completed the hike over the summer of 2023 and encountered some deadfall and obstructions along the trail. We always recommend checking the trail conditions before setting out on your hike!


Consult with the Parks Canada webpage for more information regarding the hike.



To Lower Fryatt Campground


The early portions of this hike are actually quite boring, the first 10km (6mi) more or less just follows right alongside the Athabasca River on the opposite side of highway 93. You pass the Goats and Glaciers viewpoint - so it is possible to see mountain goats. There is also a nice beach along the river as well.


a view of athabasca river, fryatt valley hike

Throughout this portion of the hike, there are several creeks that require crossing but bridges are provided. There is one spot in particular where it appears that a deep creek crossing is required, but you only need to veer off the main trail onto the side trail to find the bridge.


The majority of this trail is wooded and covered, but once the trail begins to veer away from the highway you are rewarded with the first good view of the hike (seen to the right) - but don’t worry there will be plenty more! The first campground is not much further, and this is where we recommend you break for lunch/snacks.


As mentioned previously, you can bike all the way Lower Fryatt Campground and lock your bike.


Lower Fryatt Campground to Brussesls Campground

The majority of the elevation is gained in this 6.1km (3.8mi) portion of the trail - and in our opinion this is where the real hike begins. As you leave Lower Fryatt Campground, you are afforded a remarkable view of the upcoming mountain ranges. Be sure you have plenty of water because this is the part of the trail most difficult to obtain water!


fryatt valley trail, broken bridge

Once you cross the bridge, officially departing the campground, the trail becomes heavily wooded and much more difficult than the previous portions. The trail steadily climbs along this wooded path for roughly 4.9km (3mi). During this portion of the trail there is not much in terms of views, but don’t worry you are getting very close! The trail then eventually emerges from the woods near Fryatt Creek and a broken (but still usable) bridge. This area offers some nice pictures.

After you cross the broken bridge, you only have roughly 1.2km (.75mi) left to go until you reach Brussels Campground. This portion of the hike is mostly flat and follows alongside Fryatt Creek up until Brussels campground. From this point on, the trail is almost exclusively rock - don’t forget your blister care items!

Brussels Campground to Headwall


fryatt lake, fryatt valley, jasper

In our opinion, this portion of the trail is absolutely stunning and is what makes the entire hike worth doing. You have a short, gradual incline through the mountain range with Mount Christie and Brussels Peak sitting on your left, and Mount Fryatt sitting on your right. Several small waterfalls flow over the sides of the mountain and provide you with some truly wonderful photographs.


Once you reach the top of the rockpile you are rewarded with some truly breathtaking views of Fryatt Lake. Some people have told us that Fryatt Lake can rival Lake Louise in terms of beauty - we’re not sure it’s quite that beautiful, but it is close!


At Fryatt Lake the trail turns into a much more friendly dirt path. Then the trail veers off into the woods and you probably only have another 1.5km (.93mi) before reaching the Headwall.



The Headwall to the Cabin


As mentioned, Headwall is actually an abandoned campground. The campground was left abandoned several years ago because it lies in an avalanche zone and it is prohibited to camp there - although it is evident that some people still choose to camp there.


Do yourself a favor, in the name of all that is holy, leave any unnecessary items here! You should only be bringing some water and maybe some snacks or lunch with you. This portion of the hike is very, very steep. It manages to gain more than 200m of elevation in probably 325m of distance - be prepared to feel your legs burn!


fryatt valley creek

Once you reach the top there are some wonderful views overlooking the valley and more near the cabin. There is also a trail that continues out for less than 2km (1.2mi) to an unnamed lake. The lake is pretty - but much less impressive than Fryatt Lake.


The Campgrounds


As mentioned, there are two campgrounds along this hike: Lower Fyatt and Brussels. Both campgrounds are really truly stunning and provide a comfortable place to relax. Both campgrounds offer bear lockers, bathrooms (Brussels: barrel and Lower Fryatt: throne), fire pits, tent pads, and picnic tables.


Lower Fryatt Campground


lower fryatt campground, fryatt valley

A beautiful campground nestled between the raging Fryatt Creek and the forest. 6 tent pads are available to reserve and are chosen on a first come first serve basis. Biking to Lower Fryatt is permitted, but not beyond.


The tent pads are pretty close together, but overall it’s a wonderful campsite. There is plenty of wood for fires.


Brussels Campground


a porcupine near brussels campground

Nestled at the base of the rockfall and tucked away in a small forest, Brussels campground is also lovely. 8 tent pads are available to reserve and are chosen on a first come first serve basis. The campground is definitely busier than Lower Fryatt campground and it is harder to find wood for fires. But it is a gorgeous campground.


It should be noted that porcupines frequent this campground a lot! We recommend that you leave nothing outside otherwise it might get chewed by porcupines! Even hiking poles and shoes should be put in the bear locker. You might think porcupines have no interest in your smelly boots, but they absolutely love the salt found in your sweat and will therefore chew up all your gear!



Fryatt Valley Winter Hike/Snow Shoe


If you feel up for completing this hike in the winter, it is actually possible to complete this by hiking and snowshoeing up to the Alpine Club of Canada Cabin. You can reserve a night in the warm cabin and enjoy a very peaceful night in the snowy mountains. Prior experience with this sort of activity is necessary and you need to consult with Parks Canada for trail conditions and avalanche notices.


Comments


a happy couple posing while hiking

Hi there! We're Aidan and Sheryl, a young couple infatuated with hiking and everything related to the Canadian Rockies. We've traveled them extensively and just can't get enough. 

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