We have updated this post with new information and photos which you can find here: The Best of Yoho National Park.
The name says it all – Yoho is a Cree word expressing awe and wonder. While that describes many places in the Rocky Mountains, things here seem cranked up another notch, with numerous towering peaks, raging rivers and waterfalls galore, and postcard views at every turn.
Fed by glacial meltwater, Takakkaw Falls is one of Canada’s highest waterfalls and Yoho’s most famous landmark. Standing at its base, we could hear the roar and feel the spray as we gazed up at the cataract plunging 384 metres over a sheer cliff. Getting there is an easy 10-minute stroll from the end of the paved road. The most difficult part is choosing among the wealth of viewpoints to photograph the falls.
Yoho Valley Road
We’re spoiled for choices everywhere in Yoho. More than 400 kilometres of hiking trails lead into the rugged backcountry, yet a surprising number of natural wonders are easy to enjoy. Chief among these is Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls. Open late June to early October, this 14-kilometre road packs a lot of scenic places in a short distance. It starts with roadside pull-offs for views along the Kicking Horse River, designated a Canadian Heritage River for its stunning scenery, wealth of fossils, and its role in Canadian history when Kicking Horse Pass was chosen as the Canadian Pacific Railway’s route across the Rockies.
Part way up the road, a viewpoint looks over the famous spiral tunnels where, in the early 1900s, the railway was not only cut into the solid rock of the mountain, but formed into a spiral to solve the problem of building a gradual grade on the valley’s steep slopes. We were fortunate to see a long train negotiating the spiral, a rather disconcerting sight at first glance. It looked as if one train was heading east into the tunnel, while another was heading west out of another tunnel 15 metres higher.
Everything is steep in Yoho. The road to Takakkaw Falls has switchback turns that are so tight that large RVs and trailers aren’t allowed. We saw some longer vehicles backing up the hill just to negotiate the tight corners. While Takakkaw Falls may be the end of the road, for avid hikers it’s just the beginning, with several breathtaking hikes into the jagged peaks, glaciers and more waterfalls.
Emerald Lake Road
The short drive to Emerald Lake is another must-do. At the first stop at Natural Bridge, the powerful swirling action of the Kicking Horse River has carved its way right through solid rock. The parking area is also the trailhead for various hikes. If you want a short walk, the route to the Emerald River is not only scenic but very easy.
Picturesque Emerald Lake is surrounded by magnificent peaks, but what makes the setting special is the almost unreal colour of the water, a vivid greenish-turquoise blue. The parking lot next to the historic Emerald Lake Lodge is the trailhead for several short and long hikes. One walk that shouldn’t be missed is the easy five-kilometre stroll around the edge of the lake. It’s amazing how the shades of colour in the water change depending on the time of day, the direction you face and light conditions. Another nice short walk is to Hamilton Falls, passing through lush green forest and ending at a small but beautiful cascade.
Wapta Falls
Our favourite short hike (5 km return) was the trail to Wapta Falls near the eastern end of the park to see the largest falls on the Kicking Horse River. The walk through thick forest eventually comes to a vantage point on a high bank where you look over the massive wall of water 30 metres high and 150 metres wide. Optional paths lead down the slopes for a head-on view of the falls and the river.
For more details and information, see the Parks Canada website www.pc.gc.ca
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