Mount Dawson: Climbing and Hiking the Selkirk Giants in Glacier National Park

Why Visit Mount Dawson

Mount Dawson rises prominently in the northern Selkirk Mountains within Glacier National Park, British Columbia. Its twin summits, Hasler Peak and Feuz Peak, stand above extensive icefields and offer serious mountaineers and experienced hikers a true wilderness challenge. The mountain’s location near Rogers Pass provides dramatic views of hanging glaciers and sharp ridges that define the region’s rugged character.

Getting There

Access begins along the Trans-Canada Highway at Rogers Pass. From the pass, travelers follow park trails and approach routes that lead toward the Dawson Glacier and the mountain’s lower slopes. Most visitors start from the Illecillewaet or Asulkan trailheads, where maintained paths transition into glacier travel or scrambling routes. Four-wheel-drive vehicles help on the final access roads when conditions allow, and park shuttles operate seasonally between key trailheads.

Best Time to Visit

July through early September offers the most reliable window for climbing and hiking. Snow bridges stabilize, crevasses become visible, and daytime temperatures permit multi-day trips. Winter and spring attract ski mountaineers, yet require advanced avalanche awareness and ice-travel skills. Shoulder months of June and October bring variable snow conditions that demand careful route planning.

Activities on and Around the Mountain

• Multi-day glacier traverses across the Dawson Icefield to the summits of Hasler and Feuz peaks.
• High-alpine ridge walks offering views of Mount Rogers and the Hermit Range.
• Photography from viewpoints along the Asulkan Valley trail, where the mountain’s north face dominates the skyline.

Nearby Attractions

Within Glacier National Park, the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre provides exhibits on the region’s railroad history and avalanche control. Short hikes to the Loop Brook and Bear Creek Falls offer easier alternatives when weather turns. Further west, the town of Revelstoke supplies resupply options and additional trails in Mount Revelstoke National Park.