Yoho National Park

One of the many great parks in the Rocky Mountains with lots of hiking/walking options. A nice thing, for me, is it is not one of the more popular parks so it has not been crowded when I have been there. There are not many services within the park so you will either have to deal with the crowds at Emerald Like or the cute little village of Field, B.C. – I prefer The Siding Cafe in Field and getting something to go. 🙂

I haven’t done any long hikes, or what I would even really call a hike, but only a number of nature walks. I need to go back and explore more but here are some of the places I have explored in the park.

Kicking Horse River Valley – Natural Bridge

Just off the main road, this is an example of just how powerful water can be given enough time. To see how the rocks have been worn away by the river over time to make this natural bridge is amazing. It is also an example of how a slowly moving river can quickly turn to fast and dangerous waters.

Emerald Lake

This is probably the biggest attraction in the park, so get here early or expect some crowds – and needing to park on the road leading to the lake. There is a restaurant, cabins and canoe rentals here so it could be a nice chance to get some food, if you didn’t stock up in the little village of Field, B.C.
It was too crowded for me the day I was there so I just spent a short time wandering around before looking for a more isolated area of the park.

Emerald Basin (and Emerald Lake) Trail

Got up good and early so that I could get to the parking lot before it got crowded. The last time I was here in the afternoon you had to park on the side of the road and had a 15 minute hike to the parking lot. I didn’t want to have to hike to start of my hike, so I made sure I arrived around 9am and the parking lot was already 2/3 full and by the time I finished my hikes there was a long line of cars parked on the side of the entrance road.

The Emerald Basin Trail is basically the Emerald Lake Loop Trail, plus a there-and-back segment to take you up to the basin. The Emerald Lake Loop Trail is a wonderful 2 hour walk around the lake, so peaceful with wonderful views, especially early in the morning. The trail is relatively flat but there are still lots of roots and rocks you need to step over, and the east side of the trail is often muddy as it’s more of a rain forest on that side.
Once you take the turn off for the Emerald Basin you are lulled into a nice flat trail until … boom, you get all the elevation change in one short stretch. Beautiful old growth forest with lush greens. Definitely take some time to just stop, look around and enjoy what nature is offering you. The last half of the trail out to the basin is pretty flat but you have to deal with some overgrown parts of the trail and they do have ticks in the area, so keep that in mind. When you get to the basin everything just opens up to these wonderful views of mountain peaks, waterfalls and on this day a bald eagle soaring above looking for breakfast.
My trail map shown below goes a little further (and higher) than the actual trail, well, because, there was snow, and I’m Canadian so if there is a snow I have to go and touch it. It’s a genetic thing. 🙂 It also got me closer to a couple of the waterfalls. There is something about glacier fed waterfalls, thinking that the water had been frozen for thousands of years before finally melting. I soaked my hiking cloth in the stream and then put the cloth around my neck to cool down and it was the type of refreshment you instantly feel throughout your body. I am sure I had goosebumps between my toes even!

Hamilton Falls Trail (Emerald Lake)

This is a very short trail by Emerald Lake. Short but steep in places, but it leads to a nice little waterfall. Worth the effort if you do not have much time. However, I have learnt that what is pictured below is actually what you see at the marker for Hamilton Falls but that to actually see the falls you have to go further up the trail. Lesson learnt for my next visit.

Wapta Falls Trail

This is a well used nature walk/hike that brings you to a great waterfall you can get up close to – be prepared to get wet if you do. I call this a walk/hike as it is a very enjoyable walk but there are places where the trail can be a little steep and uneven. These are often short and worth the effort, doable in running shoes but maybe not your casual shoes.

Takakkaw Falls

Another popular spot so parking can be a challenge but well worth it to see this beautiful water fall. Easy walking path up to the falls and then the more adventurous can go off the path and start scrambling over the boulders to get even closer to the base (at your own risk).
You will also find a pair Parks Canada‘s “Red Chairs” that offer a wonderful and peaceful view of the falls.

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I hope you have enjoyed these photos from my time in the park and I will add more as I continue to explore Yoho National Park in the south eastern corner of British Columbia, Canada.