Mt. Allan Centennial Trail

From the parking lot, follow the trail as it makes its ascent up through forest. Due to various old roads to the Mine Scar, the trail is well marked at its many junctions. After leaving the last of these roads, it's a moderate ascent through aspens to finally reach open slopes. Now it starts getting tough with an ascent of 600m in less than 2km (1900' in 1.2mi). As you make your way up this strenuous section, an imposing rock step leading to the broad Olympic Summit appears in full view.

However, there's a weakness in it's defense as you follow the trail to its north side (to the right). A number of broad ledges and a gully, requiring hand holds in a few places, gets you above this rock step. After another 15 minutes of hiking, the broad Olympic Summit is reached. Only then do you finally see the summit off in the distance (perhaps too far!). About 10 minutes of walking this broad hogsback, it's a little disconcerting to see the trail drop down a couple hundred feet which will have to be regained later. However, for this extra effort you enter into the impressive rock garden. On a large rock is a bronze plaque noting the accomplishments of the Rocky Mountain Ramblers who originally built this trail in 1966 to commemorate Canada's centennial.

As you make your way along the rock garden, the summit still seems a fair distance aways and a lot of elevation to boot.

As you reach the end of the rock garden, a row of conglomerate rock pinnacles appear on the edge of the ridge.

At this point, you begin the arduous final ascent of the summit. As you make your way up, at one of your many rest stops, you can glance back and admire a view of the rock garden from above.

About an hour after leaving the rock garden, the summit finally looms close by.

Summit views are okay but nothing really spectacular. At least you can record your summit accomplishment with a photo and some words in the register located in the summit cairn.

Completion of this trail was originally celebrated with the erection of a large wooden sign on the summit. However, the pikas seemed to object to man's accomplishment by chewing through the support poles within three months and the sign fell. In 1983, the bronze plaque was placed into the rock garden.

Return the same way unless you wish to take the north route to Dead Man's Flat beside the Trans-Canada highway, which can be seen from the summit.

Back to my scrambles/hikes history.

©1996 All images by Craig Knelsen. All rights reserved.

Created: Feb 28, 1998.  Revised: Nov 12, 2002.