The Terry Fox run (hike) that takes you into the alpine
By Laura Keil
This month, many school and community groups will host Terry Fox Runs to raise money for cancer research, honouring the young man who set out to run across the country in 1980 to raise $1 from every Canadian. After his death, money has continued to be pledged for research and since 1980 the Terry Fox Foundation has helped collect $900 million.
I always think about Terry when I hike the Mount Terry Fox trail and the newer Teepee Creek loop just north of Valemount. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Terry’s brothers and his sister when they’ve come up for the annual Terry Fox Trek, a fundraising hike each August. Seeing his siblings’ devotion to the cause he started never fails to move me, and learning about the young man — just a kid, really — whose quiet determination brought a whole country together always leaves me with a sense of awe. Terry left an indelible mark on Canadians and on people around the world and I always wonder when more people are going to find out about this trail. People must not know about it yet or how amazing it is (not just the views, but the trail itself, lovingly signed, with several benches and hand-laid stone paths).
The Teepee Creek loop is only a few years old, built as an alternative to the old peak trail’s gruelling switchbacks that ascend from the valley-bottom parking lot. The new trail shaves off 300m in elevation gain thanks to a new access road. The views just from the parking lot are outstanding. But the other advantage to the new trail is there is a great payoff without having to reach the peak, and thus makes a lovely half-day hike. It still has some impressive elevation gain (800m), but the Teepee Lake trail opens onto some truly stunning vistas, and traverses through wet alpine lands and waterfalls big and small. The water features and rocky peaks jutting up from the narrow valley are just the start. Other features include the wildflowers in spring, and the berries in late summer. The water features include underground streams that flow just below the surface of the tree roots in the forest. On the Teepee Creek route, reaching the sub-alpine just prior to the lake took us about three hours, with two hours to descend the mountain along the same route. The trail also loops back via Big Rock (a gargantuan rock feature) with a return trip distance of 13 km and a total elevation gain of 950m. While not adding much more elevation from the lake, the steep sun-exposed switchbacks and boulder fields made the Big Rock Loop feel more intense than I’d expected. The views though were amazing.
If heading to the summit, one can ascend via the Big Rock trail from the lower end which joins the upper portion of the old Terry Fox trail. From there one can reach the peak and its monument. Whatever the choice, be sure to go well-prepared with proper hiking boots, water, bear spray and a satellite phone/SPOT and gear to stay warm in an emergency. This is an intermediate to advanced hiking trail depending on your fitness and the selected route.
I’ve only been to the peak twice, but it offers otherworldly views of the surrounding mountains including Mt. Robson. There is a cairn commemorating Terry Fox. Be aware you may encounter snow at this elevation even during summer months and there is no water source after you leave Teepee Lake to ascend to the peak. From the other side, there is also no water once you reach sub-alpine, so be sure to bring more than you think you’ll need.
How to access/where to park: From the Visitor Info centre, head north on Hwy 5 for approx. km, past the train overpass and take a right at Stone Road/Tinsley Pit Road (almost directly across from the Terry Fox rest stop). Cross the railroad tracks (private crossing signs) and keep to the left. Follow the signs on Tinsley Pit Road to the Teepee Lake trailhead. At one point, you’ll do what feels like a U-turn to the left. Continue several kilometres until you reach the parking lot.
Trailhead coordinates (new trailhead):
52.902311°, -119.289135°
(The access road is not visible on Google maps but visit hikevalemount.com/teepee-creek-to-mt-terry-fox/ for a map of the access road)
Distance: 12km (lake in-and-back); 16.5km (peak)
Approx. time: 5–7 hrs return (lake in-and-back); 8-10hrs return (peak)
