From the parking lot the trail begins as a single-track trail into a tight forest. Immediately, the trail crosses the Moab Lake outlet stream and quickly rises to head toward Moab Lake. For another 750 m the trail remains narrow until it opens up at the Moab Lake junction. From here, the path becomes a double-track obsolete fire road that has become overgrown over the years since being downgraded to a hiking trail. Looking down the trail from here, scenery of mountain peaks and ridges starts to come into full view. Over your right shoulder the devastating effects of lightning are evident as the residue of a forest fire ignited in 2000 are in plain view. Moab Lake is down the trail to the right. This is a favorite fishing spot for many of the locals. However, to reach Whirlpool Campground, continue straight down the main track.The remainder of the trip persists as an open trail meandering effortlessly with minimal changes in elevation. Eventually a corrugated culvert is encountered about 750 m before the campground. Look closely into the bush for the campground sign, as it is hidden slightly off-trail behind overgrown tree branches. The only other indication of the campground is a faint, narrow path directly off the left side of the main trail.

Although the campground is not extraordinary, the scenery certainly is. A range of mountain peaks separating the Whirlpool River and Geraldine Lakes lying in the next valley to the southeast occupies the horizon directly across the river. At this site the Whirlpool River widens, creating eddies, stillness and even marshes at low water.

The day trip on this excursion is an additional 8 km of easy hiking from Whirlpool Campground. The fire road continues for 2 km until it reaches a single-track tributary trail off to the right into the bush. Continuing straight on the fire road ends within 25–30 m, leaving no doubt that the preferred route is into the forest. The remaining 6 km is a path which opens periodically to offer the occasional panorama. The trail makes its way past Tie Campground at the 11.3-km mark. This should not be confused with the historic Old Tie Camp, which is 2.2 km farther up the trail.

History

Athabasca Pass was discovered by David Thompson in 1811 after the Peigan Indians prohibited travel through Howse Pass in 1810. The Peigan had become particularly hostile toward white men after their defeat by Native enemies who had been equipped with firearms supplied by white traders. With Howse Pass closed by the Peigan to thwart further trade, Thompson’s new pass became the main fur trade route over the Rockies.

Thompson set out on October 29, 1810, leaving Boggy Hall with the largest contingent of manpower in his renowned career. The party consisted of three women, 25 men and 24 horses. Among the party was William Henry, as clerk, and an Iroquois guide known as Thomas, who would direct the group over the pass. Henry would eventually leave the expedition and set up a supply line from a post on the Athabasca River.

After months of gruelling challenges, horrible weather, frustrated companions and impossible terrain, they arrived at the northernmost point of the Big Bend of the Columbia River on January 19, 1811. By now all but five men had left the team. Two stayed with Thompson to construct a building to wait out the winter while three more returned for supplies. On February 17 the three men returned to “Boat Encampment,” the name given by Thompson and his men to the winter settlement, to spend the next two months constructing a canoe.

Traders using the pass departed the North Saskatchewan River and travelled cross county to the Athabasca River. After passing Jasper House, the pass ventured up the Whirlpool River. From the summit the trail made its way to the Canoe River by way of the Wood River and finally to the Big Bend of the Columbia.

Although the pass was difficult to cross (it was declared as “not fit for horses”) and was out of the way because it was so far north, it was all that was available at the time. There were rumours of Kootenay Indian crossings, though these were not confirmed until many years later. So it was that Athabasca Pass became the main route for almost 50 years.