Yoho National Park
Leaving Glacier and Mount Revelstoke we turned back east along Trans-Canada 1 where we spent a day in Yoho National Park. We got an early start on the Wapta Falls Trail, a short 5km hike that leads to the largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River – a 492 foot wide stretch of river that plummets 98 feet.
Making our way northeast, we made our next stop at the famous 4 step Takakkaw Falls that cascade nearly a thousand feet down the mountain face.. There isn’t any hiking to get to this astounding ribbon of water draining the Daly Glacier and Waputnik Icefield so it was naturally a crowded little spot, set up for lots of visitors. Thus, we were able to finally follow the advice Park Canada keeps giving us in their national park brochures under Top 10 Things to Do: “Take a selfie” while having a “Red Chair Experience.” As those who have visited Canadian National Parks recently know, these red chairs were placed in the most popular spots in all the parks a few years ago as part of a marketing campaign but you bet I snagged some photos of Tom and Abbs in the chairs, followed by a selfie with my (semi-uncooperative) pooch while we were there.
From Takakkaw we stopped at the Natural Bridge over the Emerald River and then continued on to Emerald Lake. I’ve seen glacial lakes before, but Emerald Lake was something very special. The opaque turquoise water glowed in the sunshine, but unfortunately for you blog readers, dark clouds rolled in fairly quickly after our arrival, followed by thunderstorms, which darkened many of the photos. Really none of my photos capture the true beauty and color of this lake anyway though. We walked the 5.2km trail around the shore for a couple hours, savoring the beauty until the thunderstorms and rain arrived overhead: then we hot-footed it back to the trailhead.
Thanks for posting another amazing set of pictures, Meghan!
I didn’t know anything about the red chairs but it’s a wonderful idea.
I’ll look for them the time I’m in Canada.
You’re welcome, Janet – and thank you for reading! Yoho is definitely an incredible place and the red chairs offered a very relaxing view.
I have never heard of Yoho National Park! But, oh my god, it looks amazing. From the trees to the turquoise water to the powerful waterfalls, and of course the mountains. Wow, Meghan. What a beautiful place to spend the day. I am so happy to see you so happy. It’s just so inspiring to see you in your element, soaking up everything that is around you! xoxo
Yoho was definitely a favorite place and one of the parks we’d spend more time in on a return visit. Definitely a huge fan of those glacial lakes and rivers!
Lucky you…I never got to sit in a red chair! Next time you’re in Yoho you need to hike the Iceline Trail. It is absolutely breathtaking ( I did a post on it if you need info). I agree Emerald Lake is spectacular.
Added to my list! I will look up your post too – thanks!
Meghan, I have been reading your blog for quite a while. Actually I was in Revelstoke just two weeks ago, almost able to meet you in person lol. BTW, welcome to Canadian Rockies and welcome back to Canada. The color of Lake Louise, Emerald Lake comes from the minerals of the melted water of nearby glaciers, usually most intense in early July when there are more melting and less rainfalls.
Are you going to continue travel east to Banff and Jasper? The Icefield Parkway is an excellent scenic drive and there are many nice hikes like Parker Ridge, Wilcox Pass and Angel Glacier and Mount Edith Cavell.
Cheers!
Hi Andy,
Thanks for reading! I was actually in the Canadian Rockies the last week of July and the first few days of August — my posts are always behind.
We did in fact continue to the northern parts of Banff and onto Jasper. Parker Ridge was spectacular and we very much enjoyed all the glacial lakes and rivers; that ground up rock flour does some amazing things. 🙂
Cheers!