The massive Mount Patterson covers a large area and towers almost 1500 metres above the Icefields Parkway below the northern slopes of Bow Pass. The mountain rises in three levels, with glaciers hanging picturesquely between them. Between the main portion of the peak and a high outlier to the northwest, we see a smoothly contoured line of moraine which was left following the last advance of the Snowbird Glacier which adorns a very large cirque on the north east side of the mountain. One of the most attractive glaciers in the Rockies, it drapes over the cliff bands with wings spread in a similar manner to those of Angel Glacier on Mount Edith-Cavell. Only the left wing of the snowbird can be seen from Silverhorn Creek Bridge. The best viewpoint for Snowbird Glacier is 3.1 kilometres north of the bridge. On calm days in the summer, the roar of the waterfalls and meltwater streams in the cirque is constant. This is one glacier whose appearance has probably changed very little over the past century. The extent of the snowbird?s wings are limited by the width of the ledges upon which they rest so any additional build up of ice simply falls over the cliffs to the snowbird's tail below. John Duncan Patterson was a founding member of the Alpine Club of Canada. He became its third president in 1914 and served until 1920. Born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Patterson made his living as a farmer. Although he enjoyed climbing, he spent much of his time leading less energetic members of the Alpine Club. According to Arthur Wheeler, "He was one of Nature''s gentlemen whose kind and unselfish character placed him high among his fellows, he will be remembered as one who was most worthy."