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- Mount Joffre
11,263 ft · Elk Range, Alberta/British Columbia
Mount Joffre
Mount Joffre is an 11,263 ft peak in the Elk Range, Alberta/British Columbia. The standard route is the North Face: 19 mi, 5,659 ft of gain, Class 3.
Mount Joffre at a glance
- Elevation11,263 ft3,432 m
- RouteNorth FaceClass 3
- Distance19 mi5,659 ft gain
- Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeElk RangeAlberta/British Columbia
Climbing the North Face
From Canmore, take Highway 40 south into Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and follow Kananaskis Lakes Trail to the Upper Lake Day Use Area. Hike around Upper Kananaskis Lake, past Hidden Lake and up an exposed trail beside Fossil Falls to camp at Aster Lake. Day two crosses moraines to the Mangin Glacier and the North Face, a snow climb up to about 40 degrees that turns icy late in the season. Crevasses, rockfall and exposure on the headwall trail are the main hazards. Allow 3 days, buy a Kananaskis Conservation Pass, and book the Aster Lake Backcountry Campground up to 90 days ahead.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (55–75 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Ice Axe
Helmet
What to watch for
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Snow near summit
- Rockfall
- Steep exposure
Quests with Mount Joffre
Canadian Rockies 11,000ersPeaks near Mount Joffre
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Joffre?
Mount Joffre is 11,263 feet (3,432 m) tall. It is in the Elk Range, Alberta/British Columbia.
How does Mount Joffre rank among the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers?
At 11,263 feet, Mount Joffre is the 25th highest of the 54 Canadian Rockies 11,000ers. The highest is Mount Robson.
How hard is it to climb Mount Joffre?
The North Face is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 19 miles with 5,659 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Mount Joffre?
Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the North Face, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Mount Joffre dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: crevasses on the glacier, exposed sections where a fall would be serious and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need an ice axe for Mount Joffre?
Plan on it. An ice axe is on the gear list for the North Face for the snow and ice on the upper mountain. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
When is the best time to climb Mount Joffre?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Mount Joffre with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list