Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park
This park is a little different than the other Rockies parks, as it doesn't lend itself to windshield tourists. There are only three roads in the park, one to Emerald Lake, one to 1246ft Takakkaw Falls and a restricted access road to Lake O'Hara.
The northern half of the park is lovely but the real story of Yoho National Park begins and ends with wondrous Lake O'Hara and its neighbouring alpine basins.

Right: Lake O'Hara

	In the Northern half of the park the Iceline Trail is the only one that stays consistently above the treeline. It skirts the glaciers of the President Range.
	"The incredible scenery starts right from the parking lot, which the trail shares with Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest in BC. It gains elevation quickly as it switchbacks through forest. Occasional breaks give you a glimpse of the Daly Glacier, which feeds the falls, and the immense Waputik Icefield."
	" After the first mile you break out of the trees for good and the trail rises to meet the top of a ridge. As you crest the ridge the Presidents Range comes into view and with it the Emerald Glacier."
	" From here the next three miles are pure hiking heaven. The trail undulates over a series of desolate moon like moraines with glaciers on all sides, some so close you can touch them. A cool trail but it paled in comparison with Yoho's other hiking treasure." 8 miles return, 2265ft gain
	The other significant waterfall in the park is Wapta Falls, a 500ft wall of water reached via a short mile long trail, south of the highway just inside the park's West entrance. 3 miles return 150ft

	Left: Takakkaw Falls

Lake O'Hara is reached via a Park Service bus, access is restricted and reservations are required. At one time there was a last minute phone lottery but that practice has been discontinued.
Camping at the Lake O'Hara is restricted to designated sites and a three night maximum. The campground has sinks, garbage and recycling and two cooking shelters complete with wood burning stoves and picnic tables.
It's a difficult place to photograph as tall peaks and ridges cast huge shadows over the landscape much of the day and the alternative, direct sunlight, makes some compositions near impossible.

Right: Lake O'Hara from the Huber Ledges

	The trails themselves are themselves a work of art. The ledges built by the legendary Lawrence Grassi form a complete circuit high above the lake. Each section of trail however can be linked together in a variety of loops.
	To get to Lake Oesa you can either stay low, following the shores of Lake O'Hara or climb high to Wiwaxy Gap and take the Huber Ledges. The high route is a real thriller and not suited for acrophobes, however at a cost of an extra fifth of a mile and an additional 800ft of elevation gain it is certainly well worth it.
	Direct route to Lake Oesa 4.1 miles return, 787ft

	Left: Lake Oesa from the Huber Ledges

Lake Oesa is on the far side of Abbott Pass, where you will find a hut and a mountaineering route to Lake Louise. Hikers however get to explore another mile long set of airy ledges, the Yukness Ledges, which lead to a larch nirvana, called the Opabin Plateau.
There is a small body of water just above this section of the trail. The name is Sleeping Poets Pond and while it has some interesting rocks embedded with trilobites and water ripples, you aren't really missing anything if you choose not to seek it out.
Direct route to Lake Oesa 4.1 miles return, 787ft

Right: Lake Oesa

	For photographers the prime season for Lake O'Hara is late September when the larches turn gold. While the entire region is well known for larches at Opabin these trees are nearly ubiquitous; and thanks to the many tarns & small lakes and you will run out of light well before you exhaust potential compositions.
	Direct route to Obabin Plateau 4.5 miles return 820ft

	Left: Hungabee Lake
	Below: Opabin Plateau from All Souls

On the third and final leg of the circuit the trail climbs 900ft to All Souls Prospect then drops right back down reaching McArthur Valley and Schaffer Lake in about a mile. From here you have the choice of exploring either Lake McArthur or Odaray Mountain.
Totals for the complete Alpine Circuit: 7.7 mile loop, 1625ft
Due to it being prime grizzly bear habitat the Odaray Highline Trail to Odaray Prospect has a voluntary restriction of four parties per day.
4.3 miles return, 1625ft
Right: Schaffer Lake and Odaray Prospect from All Souls

	" I later realized the main grizzly area is probably in the 'closed' area of Odaray Prospect, and this trail involved maybe 5 minutes of hiking in the forest before it breaks out onto the open rock slopes. Not to take away from this being known bear territory, it's just that my biggest fear was surprising a bear in the forest and I was just a tad bit relieved to learn you could see far ahead and that the terrain was more open than I anticipated (except for a few blind corners) The trail was short and I managed to bound up to the lookout in no time at all. It was similar to the footing on the alpine circuit, some loose rock but very easy to follow. From the viewpoint you can see both Lake O'Hara and Lake McArthur at the same time and the views of the surrounding peaks and vast larch forest is awesome. My only beef is you face south so it is very difficult to photograph."

	Left: Goodsir Towers from Odaray Prospect

Below: Lake McArthur should not be missed, a loop of the the two trails one high, one low, both about a mile in length, makes for an excellent mini-adventure for the day if you have to catch the bus that afternoon. 4.3 miles return 1355ft