Hike Alberta
Amethyst LakesWates Gibson HutSurprise Point CampgroundClitheroe Campground 1 km N
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Wates Gibson

Near Jasper · Jasper National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 50 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Amethyst LakesWates Gibson Hut 2 km Open the map

About this trail

Wates Gibson is a 10.5 km out and back trail near Jasper in Jasper National Park. It runs 5.3 km each way. The route gains 403 m in total and tops out at 2,087 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Tonquin Valley trail at 0.7 km, and passes four other mapped junctions. At 1.4 km the trail forks. This route keeps left; the right fork is a 0.1 km side branch with the same name. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass Amethyst Lakes, Wates Gibson Hut, a backcountry campground and a campground. Also used for trail running and backpacking.

Length
10.5km
5.3 km each way
Elevation gain
403m
Estimated time
3h45min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,087m
Lowest point
1,834m

Elevation profile

1,834 m to 2,087 m
2,0871,834 0 km5.3 km

Highest point 2,087 m, lowest 1,834 m, 403 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 23% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
5.3 km
Model
2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Along the way

  1. 0.0 kmWates Gibson HutHut
  2. 3.1 kmSurprise PointBackcountry campground
  3. 3.1 kmSurprise Point CampgroundCampground · 1,978 m
  4. 3.6 kmAmethyst LakesLake
  5. 5.1 kmClitheroe CampgroundCampground · 2,080 m
  6. 5.1 kmClitheroeBackcountry campground

Good for

  • Hiking, Trail running, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Lake, Camping, Hut or tea house

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 52.6626° N, 118.2552° W.

Driving directions

Jasper National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy Discovery Pass

Pass details

Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.

Information checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 273 trails in Jasper National Park

Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30