53.164728 N 117.921167 W
Location: Jasper National Park, Alberta
Sections
Roche Miette - Overview
Roche Miette Trailhead
Climbing Season at Roche Miette
Mountain Conditions in Jasper National Park
Red Tape, Fees and Legalese in Jasper National Park
Camping and Backpacking in Jasper National Park
Roche Miette - Miscellaneous Information
Disclaimer - Hazard Warning
Roche Miette - Acknowledgements and Photo Credits
Roche Miette - Overview
Roche Miette and its huge vertical limestone North and West Faces can be seen from as far away as the town limits of Edson, eighty miles to the east. It is one of the first big mountains a traveller will encounter when heading west through the Front Ranges on Highway 16, the Yellowhead Trail.
While most visitors to the peak ascend a fairly well-beaten trail to theNortheast Face scramble route, which is rated a moderate to difficult scramble, ascents have been made on the North Face (IV 5.8 A3). Ascents have been recorded on Roche Miette's dramatic West Face, but are likely not repeated often. Either way, by the time you stand on the most commonly visited summit, you will have completed 1425 meters of vertical gain from the trailhead, according to Alan Kane , author of Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies.
Roche Miette and its huge vertical limestone North and West Faces can be seen from as far away as the town limits of Edson, eighty miles to the east. It is one of the first big mountains a traveller will encounter when heading west through the Front Ranges on Highway 16, the Yellowhead Trail.
While most visitors to the peak ascend a fairly well-beaten trail to the
The peak's name has different origins, depending on whom you chose to believe. Some feel this mountain was named after a French voyageur, Bonhomme Miette, who reportedly climbed the peak from its south flanks in the 1800's. Others insist its name was derived from the Indian word myat, which in Cree means "bighorn sheep". The mountain has a large, mainly flat summit area. The true summit is far to the south, but is only about 200 feet higher than the most commonly visited summit. The rock quality at the south summit is very poor; it is often in a state of collapse, and far less trustworthy than the rock at the popular summit near the front of the North Face cliffs.
The scramble is one of the more commonly visited summer routes in the area, while winter ascents will find few climbers, high freezing winds, and serious objective hazards which accompany all Canadian mountains in winter conditions. Roche Miette is located in a surprisingly arid area; a result of the surrounding geography. The amount of snowfall and rain in the area is typically less than other sections of the Front Ranges, and especially less than the amount of precipitation received west of the Continental Divide. There are no water sources on the peak or any of the ridges leading to the main massif. Wildlife abounds on this mountain; grizzly and black bears, mountain lions, wolves, marmots, deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are all indigenous to the area. Special care should be taken in the spring to avoid contact with black and grizzly bears which have ended their winter hibernation, and who will be unable at times to find sufficient food sources.
The scramble is one of the more commonly visited summer routes in the area, while winter ascents will find few climbers, high freezing winds, and serious objective hazards which accompany all Canadian mountains in winter conditions. Roche Miette is located in a surprisingly arid area; a result of the surrounding geography. The amount of snowfall and rain in the area is typically less than other sections of the Front Ranges, and especially less than the amount of precipitation received west of the Continental Divide. There are no water sources on the peak or any of the ridges leading to the main massif. Wildlife abounds on this mountain; grizzly and black bears, mountain lions, wolves, marmots, deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are all indigenous to the area. Special care should be taken in the spring to avoid contact with black and grizzly bears which have ended their winter hibernation, and who will be unable at times to find sufficient food sources.
Roche Miette Trailhead
The mountain is located 25 miles (40 km) east of Jasper, Alberta on Highway 16, the Yellowhead Trail. When travelling from the east, Roche Miette is located 3.5 km. west of the hamlet of Pocohontas on Highway 16.
At this point you will see a gravel turnoff on your left side (which is the south side of the road, when travelling from Pocohontas). The approach is short and drops down about three feet. Usually in winter there is not much snow here and parking is still possible. Pull in and park to the left of the gate that blocks the utility road leading into the backcountry. The massive North Face of Roche Miette will be clearly visible at this point, as will be the long, steadily-rising ridge on its left side that leads up to a shoulder and a small small col, before intersecting with the Northeast Face itself, which is the left skyline of the mountain when viewed from the trailhead.
The mountain is located 25 miles (40 km) east of Jasper, Alberta on Highway 16, the Yellowhead Trail. When travelling from the east, Roche Miette is located 3.5 km. west of the hamlet of Pocohontas on Highway 16.
At this point you will see a gravel turnoff on your left side (which is the south side of the road, when travelling from Pocohontas). The approach is short and drops down about three feet. Usually in winter there is not much snow here and parking is still possible. Pull in and park to the left of the gate that blocks the utility road leading into the backcountry. The massive North Face of Roche Miette will be clearly visible at this point, as will be the long, steadily-rising ridge on its left side that leads up to a shoulder and a small small col, before intersecting with the Northeast Face itself, which is the left skyline of the mountain when viewed from the trailhead.
Climbing Season at Roche Miette
The mountain is usually climbed from June to September, although ascents are possible at any time of the year. High winds are common on this peak and the long approach ridge because the distant location of other large peaks in the area leave Roche Miette quite exposed. In winter these winds can disorient a climber, resulting in routefinding problems and extreme cold conditions. While the lower flanks of Roche Miette do not receive a large amount of snow, a much greater volume can be encountered high on the Northeast Face and the summit itself. Gullies are steep and collect enough snow to avalanche at times.
It is common to see other climbers on the trails in this area during the summer, but a winter climb will likely be a lonely affair, even though the lower approach trails can still be fairly easily followed due to a low volume of snow in many places. Once on the ridge itself, the route to the Northeast Face is obvious if the trail fades out (as it does at times) and it is usually quite simple to progress up near the west edge of the ridge until you pick it up again.
The mountain is usually climbed from June to September, although ascents are possible at any time of the year. High winds are common on this peak and the long approach ridge because the distant location of other large peaks in the area leave Roche Miette quite exposed. In winter these winds can disorient a climber, resulting in routefinding problems and extreme cold conditions. While the lower flanks of Roche Miette do not receive a large amount of snow, a much greater volume can be encountered high on the Northeast Face and the summit itself. Gullies are steep and collect enough snow to avalanche at times.
It is common to see other climbers on the trails in this area during the summer, but a winter climb will likely be a lonely affair, even though the lower approach trails can still be fairly easily followed due to a low volume of snow in many places. Once on the ridge itself, the route to the Northeast Face is obvious if the trail fades out (as it does at times) and it is usually quite simple to progress up near the west edge of the ridge until you pick it up again.
Mountain Conditions in Jasper National Park
Climbing conditions
Rescue Dynamics offers current climbing conditions , as well as weather reports and a host of other mountaineering related services. In the summer, this mountain area can be hot and dry, and an adequate amount of water must be carried up by the climber. A winter climb can be hazardous, with full conditions, depending on the weather. Current climbing conditions can sometimes be obtained by calling Park Wardens in Jasper National Park at (780) 852-6155 or (780) 866-3944 at the Pocohontas Station.
Climbing conditions
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Red Tape, Fees and Legalese in Jasper National Park
Campers and backcountry hikers and skiers in Jasper National Park can reserve campsites with Parks Canada. Some trails are subject to quotas, so reservations are good insurance to guarantee a camping spot during the busier months of the year. Reservations can be made three months in advance.
Backcountry camping requires a permit as well at $8/night (maximum of $30) and a $10 reservation fee. Annual wilderness passes are available for $42 and are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Contact the Jasper Parks Visitor Centre for more information on this at (780) 852-6176 or see the Jasper National Park Home Page (which contains links to fees, trail reports, and avalanche reports)
Up-to-date Park fees and camping fees can be found at Parks Canada Fee Page - Jasper National Park. A National Park Pass is required if you will be stopping anywhere in Jasper National Park. They can be purchased at any entry point to Jasper or Banff National Park, or at any Ranger Station, $8 per person or $16 per vehicle. Open fires are not allowed anywhere in Jasper National Park, except in restricted locations at approved campsites. Technically, overnight camping or bivouacs in the backcountry require a backcountry permit which costs $8 and can be purchased at any Park Warden office. The closest Park Warden / ranger station to Roche Miette is the Pocohontas station, 3 km east of the trailhead, located on the north side of Highway 16. The station may be unoccupied if the ranger is out on a call; if that is the case, any phone calls will automatically be directed to the Jasper Station.
Campers and backcountry hikers and skiers in Jasper National Park can reserve campsites with Parks Canada. Some trails are subject to quotas, so reservations are good insurance to guarantee a camping spot during the busier months of the year. Reservations can be made three months in advance.
Backcountry camping requires a permit as well at $8/night (maximum of $30) and a $10 reservation fee. Annual wilderness passes are available for $42 and are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Contact the Jasper Parks Visitor Centre for more information on this at (780) 852-6176 or see the Jasper National Park Home Page (which contains links to fees, trail reports, and avalanche reports)
Up-to-date Park fees and camping fees can be found at Parks Canada Fee Page - Jasper National Park. A National Park Pass is required if you will be stopping anywhere in Jasper National Park. They can be purchased at any entry point to Jasper or Banff National Park, or at any Ranger Station, $8 per person or $16 per vehicle. Open fires are not allowed anywhere in Jasper National Park, except in restricted locations at approved campsites. Technically, overnight camping or bivouacs in the backcountry require a backcountry permit which costs $8 and can be purchased at any Park Warden office. The closest Park Warden / ranger station to Roche Miette is the Pocohontas station, 3 km east of the trailhead, located on the north side of Highway 16. The station may be unoccupied if the ranger is out on a call; if that is the case, any phone calls will automatically be directed to the Jasper Station.
Royal Canadian Mountain Police (780) 852-4848.
P.O. Box 1800 600 Pyramid Lake Road, Jasper, AB.
Jasper Hospital (780) 852-3344
518 Robson St. Jasper, AB.
Fire & Ambulance (780) 852-3100
Jasper Firehall, Patricia St. Jasper, AB.
Jasper Park Warden Office (780) 852-6155 / 56
Maligne Rd. Jasper, AB. (km 2)
Sunwapta Park Warden Station (780 )852-6181
Mile 45, Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway)
Pobotkan Creek Warden Station (780) 852-5383
Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway)
Search and Rescue (780) 852-3100
Emergency calls can be directed to the Jasper Park
Warden
at (780) 852-3100 or by calling the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police (RCMP) at (780) 852-4848
