MadMountainMegan

July 8-9th, July 16th

I have been lucky to visit Lake O’Hara 3 times in the past 2 years. Twice on an overnight trip, and once on the day bus. I will describe the booking system, campground, bus services and trails in one post.

Lake O’Hara is a 2 hour drive from Calgary past Lake Louise in Yoho National Park. It is a stunning alpine lake with amazing trails surrounding it. Since it is situated in the alpine, Parks Canada has created a booking system/bus system to protect the landscape and the creatures that call the lake home

booking-Overnight

I recommend booking Lake O’hara overnight if possible. To book you must find out when the Lake O’ Hara booking system opens for reservations. You then go to the Parks Canada website. You will sit in a “waiting room” until it launches, you then get a spot in line. Best to do this process with multiple devices. Once in, select Backcountry Zone>Yoho> Dates>Bus preferred>Availability calendar. Being flexible with dates and times is best for O’Hara.

You can use a cancellation app like Shnerp to watch for cancellations. If you receive a reservation they will email you later with bus times, you can always call to see if you can switch later.

Booking-Day Use

The lottery usually opens for one month around February. Check the Parks Canada website for exact dates. You can enter the lottery as many times as you want but you will have to pay for each entry. You can put multiple days on your entries for preferences. You might have a better chance if you choose weekdays. They will email you if you are selected, and you can select a date. They usually put day hikers on the morning bus but you can call for a different time.

The Bus

To catch the bus you will take Highway 1 to Yoho National Park, turn left at Lake’OHara parking lot. The parking lot is gravel but is spacious with garbage cans and toilets. There is a gate at the road and a bunch of information signs with a gathering area on the left. You will meet parks Canada staff here. They will check your name on the list, and/or give you info about your camp spot, depending on the time you arrive. If you are staying overnight they prefer nothing over a 60L backpack and an extra bag. There is a specific list on there website. They will also ask you take your poles and bearspray out so it doesn’t go off and poke holes in other items. The bus driver will give you a token, this is your RETURN ticket DO NOT LOSE IT. The bus makes two stops, first at the campground, then at the day lodge, for day hikers.

The Campground

The bus drops you off right at the campground, you only walk about 10 steps. When dropped off the parks staff will give you an orientation and you will go pick your tent spots. In my opinion it doesn’t matter where you put your tent, the tent pads are big and very nice. There are bear bins that have your tent number on them. There are pit toilets that are very clean, and cleaned every day. There are sinks to wash dishes, potable water, picnic tables, a fire pit, a recycling bin, garbage bin, and a storage locker. There are also 2 cooking shelters with wood stoves, if it is raining. Parks also provides wood and an axe for fires if there is no fire ban. I always bring luxury meals as you do not have to hike the food in, which is nice. The day lodge and the lake are a short walk from the campground.

Other Facilities

• The day lodge has snacks, ice cream, drinks and souvenirs. There is also information posted about Lake O’ Hara, and this is where you would report large animal sightings. There are washrooms and benches as well.
• There is also a lodge where you can stay over night, meals are provided in price, the lodge is FAR out of my budget but visit the Lake O’ Hara lodge website for pricing.
• Elizabeth Parker Hut is about 1km away from the lake, located in a meadow. Visit the Alpine Club of Canada website for information, in the summer it is a lottery system. ACC huts usually have mats to sleep on, cooking systems, wood burning stoves and cooking utensils.
• There is a boat dock, which is nice for sitting on or jumping off. There are no watercraft allowed on lakes in Yoho National Park.

Trails

I have done almost every trail in Lake O’Hara so in this section I will describe them each. I will describe them from my favourite to least favourite.

The Alpine Circuit

The alpine circuit is Lake O’ Haras difficult route, as described on the Parks Canada website. I love the circuit for the views and for the fact that you can do the whole circuit or you drop down and shorten it. To follow the circuit you will follow blue squares with two yellow lines painted on rocks among the circuit. Most people start the circuit at Wiwaxy and end at All Souls, but you can do either. Both times we started at Wiwaxy.

wiwaxy to huber ledges

Distance: 1.9km to the Gap, 2km to Lake Oesa. Elevation: Gain 510m Loss 270m.

Starting at the left side of the lake follow signs for Wiwaxy Gap and Alpine route. The hike is very steep and in the trees for the first half. The trail is well made and beaten down. Eventually you will come out of the treeline and have views of Lake O’Hara and Lake Oesa. There are a few parts where you are on a rock ledge but I didn’t find it to scary. Continuing up, you climb a well laid out path up the dirt part of Wiwaxy. You then hit the “Gap”. There are views of the Lake O’Hara valley and the mountains beside Wiwaxy. Continuing on to the Huber Ledges, the path is narrow at times, the dirt can be slippery. I would not attempt it, if there is a lot of snow. In terms of exposure* there were only 2-3 spots where I felt exposed and it only lasted a few steps. You will descend into a boulder field, follow the markers to navigate. You can leave the circuit by exiting through the Lake Oesa trail

Lake Oesa and the Yukness Ledges

From Lake Oesa follow the markers on the rocks, eventually you will cross a few streams to be just below Yukness Mountain. Continue forward towards Lake O’Hara. The ledges mainly have a lot of boulders, which can be slow and slippery when wet. My second time doing the ledges there was snow but it was easy to navigate. I find the ledges not too exposed*, but others disagree with me. Eventually you will pass the boulder field to a nice, level wide dirt path, this path will lead you to the Opabin valley. You can exit the circuit through the Opabin valley.

Yukness Ledges to All Souls

From Yukness you will cross through the Opabin valley, the circuit does not pass Opabin Lake but it is worth taking a detour if you have time. The valley is easy hiking, nice and flat, good trails and many lakes to look at. You can also make a detour to the Opabin prospect*. The prospect is the ledge that everyone stands on for the famous photo. As you pass the Opabin prospect turnoff you will see the All Souls turnoff, on the left. Climb through a flat boulder field. All Souls trail is dirt, narrow and can be slippery if wet. I would not attempt with snow. There were a few places with exposure but again, it only lasts a few steps. You soon will reach the All Souls prospect. From the prospect it is a steep descent, with a lot of loose dirt, there is a lot of rocks to stop you from sliding. You finish the trail on the McArthur Lake trail. Some people head to McArthur lake or you can head back to Lake’ O Hara.

Opabin prospect and opabin lake

Distance to Prospect:1.6km to Lake: 3.3km Elevation: 300m approximately

Starting from the lake make your way along the right hand side of the shore. You will see a sign on the right pointing you to the Opabin prospect and Opabin lake. Turn right. Heading up the forest you make your way to Mary lake. Walking beside it you make your way to a forested hill, head up, the incline is gradual. You will eventually climb a steep rocky area, but it is not long. As it flattens out you will see a sign on the left turn here for the Opabin prospect. The prospect is where everyone takes the photo of Lake O’Hara with the two lakes in the picture. You then can head back to continue through the valley to the lake. I love this hike, the valley has many lakes, streams and views of the mountains, with glaciers tucked away. Eventually you make it to the Opabin Lake. You can head back to the lake using East Opabin trail as well.

Lake McArthur

Distance: 3.3km Approximately Elevation: 300m Approximately

Lake McArthur is just as stunning as Lake O’Hara. It has a beautiful blue hue to it and is actually larger in size. Parks will recommend the lower trail if the snow is lingering, but the upper trail has excellent views of the valley. The trail has a gentle incline and is not technical. The lake is excellent for a long lunch.

Lake oesa

Distance: 3km approximately Elevation: 200m approximately

Starting at the Lake O’Hara, head up the forested trail. There is an opportunity to detour to Seven Veil Falls, which isn’t the most scenic waterfall, but it is nice to cool off. Heading up the trail you will pass through a large boulder field. It can be extremely hot here, have water ready. You then weave through the mountain side, passing Victoria lake, which honestly is nicer then Lake Oesa in my opinion. You will eventually make it to the open rock area near Lake Oesa.

Cathedral Lake, Linda Lake and morning glory lakes

Distance: 6km Approximately Elevation: 200m Approximately

These are very stunning lakes, however they don’t have the “wow” factor the other lakes have. Therefore are less popular and quieter. They also do not hold snow as long making them a nice option for when there is still snow. Heading from the campground you will walk through a gradual incline through the forest. Eventually you will reach Linda Lake which I think is very beautiful blue. Continue on through the gradual incline through an open larch forest to Cathedral Lake. There is an option to continue to the Cathedral prospect, which I hope to do some day. Coming back you can take many different ways around Linda Lake. You can even go down to Morning Glory Lakes, which are a nice stop but nothing amazing. You can then return to the campground or to Lake O’Hara.

Side Notes

• Although Lake O’Hara permits can be tough to get they are worth it.
• You need a National Park Pass from the gate or visitor center.
• You can hike the 11km in and possibly pay the bus $15 to get down, HOWEVER I have seen people be turned away be prepared to walk back.
• There are plenty of bears here, especially grizzlies, be prepared.
• They sell the famous carrot cake at the day lodge at 8am and 1pm.
• There are Parks Canada staff roaming around everywhere, we saw plenty on the trail, as well as every morning in the campground.
• “Exposed” is a section of trail with a steep drop off.
• “Prospect” can be a rocky ledge with a view.
• I have not done the Odaray prospect. I have heard it has excellent views. You need to sign in at the trail head, as only 4 groups are allowed daily. This is because the trail goes through grizzly habitat

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