Poboktan - Jonas Pass

Poboktan - Jonas Pass is 29.25 km long with 1,235 m of elevation gain. That puts it in the medium difficulty range, but the distance and climbing still make it a solid backcountry outing rather than a short day hike.

Poboktan - Jonas Pass is best treated as a multi-day trip. Parks Canada describes the broader Jonas Pass–Poboktan Creek route as a 3 to 4 day backcountry hike, and this 29.25 km section fits most naturally into an overnight or multi-night itinerary depending on pace, weather, and campsite availability.

Dogs are not allowed on key sections used for Poboktan - Jonas Pass. Parks Canada specifically prohibits dogs on the Jonas Pass trail and on the Poboktan Creek trail, so this is not a dog-friendly route.

Poboktan - Jonas Pass is accessed from trailheads on the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park. Parks Canada lists parking at the Poboktan Creek trailhead, about 72 km south of Jasper on Highway 93, and at the Nigel Creek trailhead, about 116 km south of Jasper and 13 km south of the Icefields Centre.

The route crosses Jonas Pass at about 2,320 m, and the broader backcountry line also climbs to Jonas Shoulder at roughly 2,470 m. With 1,235 m of total ascent over 29.25 km, the high alpine sections are a major part of what makes this hike feel committing.

The main hiking season is typically mid-summer into early fall. Parks Canada notes that passes on this route can remain snow covered until July and advises against travel earlier in the season, so July through September is usually the most reliable window.

Yes. Overnight trips on the Poboktan - Jonas Pass route require a Jasper National Park backcountry camping permit. Parks Canada also identifies named campgrounds on this corridor, including Jonas Cutoff, Waterfalls, and Poboktan Creek, so camping is managed rather than informal.