| Lake O’Hara, British Columbia |
 Trail Name:Alpine Circuit Summary: |
| Outstanding One Day Hike of the World |
| Trail Description |
| Numerous alpine lakes, wildflower-covered meadows and jagged peaks surround beautiful Lake O’Hara. The whole area is crisscrossed with short trails, giving many options for spectacular half or full-day loops and making it possibly the finest area for one-day hiking in the whole of the Canadian Rockies. This spectacular hike combines three alpine routes to make a dramatic high level circuit: Huber Ledges from Wiwaxy Gap to Lake Oesa, Yukness Ledge to Opabin Plateau, and All Soul’s Alpine Route to Schäffer Lake.
Starting in front of the warden cabin, head clockwise around O’Hara lakeshore, crossing the outlet bridge as you round the north-west corner of the lake. At 0.4 km, turn left onto the rugged trail to Wiwaxy Gap, a saddle between Wiwaxy Peaks and Mount Huber. Be prepared, because now starts the biggest climb of the day, over 500 m in 1.5 km to the circuit’s highest point. Steep switchbacks climb from the forested shoreline to open scree slopes and narrow ledges above treeline. But the effort is worth it. From Wiwaxy Gap there are panoramic views of jagged peaks and alpine lakes, dominated by Lake O’Hara below to the south. Descend south-east across the ledges and talus slopes of Huber’s southern flank towards Lake Oesa, a green gem surrounded by high peaks. On a knoll 0.2 km from the lake, cross the Lake Oesa Trail to the start of the 2.2-km Yukness Ledge Alpine Route. Follow the paint markers south to Oesa’s outlet creek, then climb west to begin the rugged traverse beneath Yukness Mountain. Watch your footing on this rough, boulder-strewn section - the narrow ledges can be slippery and have sheer drops, but the views are magnificent (see main photo). The route drops down to join East Opabin Trail at Hungabee Lake. Keep left to continue across the alpine meadows of Opabin Plateau, climbing for 0.4 km to Opabin Lake. Opabin Glacier clings to the headwall cliffs, wedged between Mount Biddle and Hungabee Mountain (the mountain that dominates the circle of peaks at the head of Paradise Valley to the east). Bear right onto West Opabin Trail to loop back along the other side of the plateau. Enjoy the contrasting scenery - barren scree slopes of Schäffer Ridge to the left, the meadows and small lakes of the plateau to the right, and ahead the jagged peaks of Odaray, Stephen and Cathedral Mountains. Keep left at the first trail junction between Hungabee and Moor Lakes, and left again at the second to cross Opabin Creek. You are now heading west towards the final rugged section of the circuit, All Soul’s Alpine Route. But first, bear right for the 0.6-km detour to Opabin Prospect, a wonderful overview of Lake O’Hara and Cataract Valley. Loop back to rejoin the main trail and, shortly after, turn left onto All Souls’. This 1.9-km route heads through huge boulders and climbs loose rock to the viewpoint of All Souls’ Prospect on Mount Schäffer’s north ridge. It is a steep ascent of 275 m, but the ample reward at the top is a breathtaking view of the Lake O’Hara area. Descend steeply down scree slopes to a junction north-east of Schäffer Lake. The circuit is now drawing to a close. Turn right onto Big Larches Trail, which descends for 1.1 km through stands of larch (particularly beautiful in September) with views down to Mary and O’Hara Lakes. Intersect with Mary Lake Trail and turn left for the quickest return to Le Relais. Summary of distances: Lake O’Hara is a prime day-hiking area. Two other good choices from Le Relais: Lake McArthur-Odaray Grandview. Most of the trails on the Odaray Plateau to the west of Lake O’Hara are now closed to restrict wildlife disturbance in this prime grizzly bear habitat. However, scenic Odaray Highline Trail is open to limited use, and can be combined with a hike to stunning Lake McArthur. Head south-west, via Elizabeth Parker Hut in the Alpine Meadows, to the south end of Schäffer Lake and the start of two trails to Lake McArthur. Fork left for the high-level McArthur Cutoff, which offers the best views, then loop back on Lower McArthur as far as McArthur Pass. Here you can connect with Odaray Highline, which climbs to the well-named Odaray Grandview. Total distance: 5.5 miles/9 km. Elevation gain to the highest point at Grandview: 1,640 ft/500 m. NOTE - Parks Canada asks hikers to avoid Odaray Highline between August 15 and September 15 and limit use at other times. Cathedral Basin. From the Alpine Meadows, a forested trail heads north-west past Morning Glory and Linda Lakes to Cathedral Lakes, then climbs to wonderful views at Cathedral Platform Prospect and Monica Lake. Vary the return route by looping around the north shore of Linda Lake. Total distance: 8.8 miles/14 km. Elevation gain: 950 ft/290 m. Acknowledgement |
| FACT FILE |
| Location: Yoho National Park in south-east British Columbia, which adjoins Alberta’s Banff National Park. Entrance fee charged - $5 per person for one day, or $35 for the Great Western Annual Pass (which allows entry to all 11 of western Canada’s national parks).
Directions: Exit the TransCanada Hwy 15 km east of Field (Yoho’s only town) and 11 km west of Lake Louise village, signed Lake O’Hara. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right for 0.8 km to the parking lot at the start of the fire road to Lake O’Hara. The 11-km fire road is restricted to hikers or a limited shuttle bus service (fee charged, reservations essential) - no other vehicles or bicycles are permitted. Trailhead: In front of the warden cabin, across the fire road from the bus stop at Le Relais Day Shelter. Length: 7.3 miles / 11.7 km Trail Type: Loop Elevation Change: 1,673 ft / 510 m Duration: 5 hours Trail Condition: Mainly rough paths, scree slopes and exposed ledges, marked with cairns or paint. The trail should not be attempted until it is snow and ice-free (snow can linger into July). Features: Alpine lakes and meadows, jagged peaks and glaciers, rock and talus, panoramic views. Climate: Hiking season in the high country is short, July to September. This route is above treeline, so be prepared for changeable conditions. Accommodation: Lake O’Hara Lodge, 0.2 km south of Le Relais at the road end (reservations essential) and tent camping, 0.5 km north of the lake. More lodging and camping options in and around Field, and across the Alberta border in Lake Louise. Trail Notes: Make shuttle bus and camping reservations three months in advance (telephone 250 343-6433). Six seats per day and a few tent sites are set aside for those without reservations - show up first thing at Field visitor center the day before you want to go (opens 8.30am, but queues generally form much earlier). Field visitor center has topographic maps and information on weather, trail conditions and recent bear sightings. Trail maps and information also available at Le Relais shelter. |
