Aside from being a UNESCO World Heritage (Fossil) Site, Burgess Pass is also one of the finest hikes in the Rockies.   Much of the hike is at altitude at or above the tree line with wide views and well-established trails.

There are a number of route options.    One option is a two-vehicle system, starting at Takkakaw Falls.   Climb up the Highline Trail starting at the Hostel, and continue to traverse until you reach the Yoho Lake – Yoho Pass junction.   Turn west to climb, passing Yoho Lake (there is a backcountry campsite there, but is otherwise just a small lake in a treed area below the pass), then pass through Yoho Pass to the Burgess Pass junction.  Beyond this point is described below.

A more compact hiking option is to start at Emerald Lake.   Follow the trail around the north side of the lake and at the east end of the lake, turn onto the Yoho Pass trail.   This climbs up a creek valley under Michael Peak.    A spectacular waterfall plunges down a gully from the glacier above.   The trail starts a traverse over to the pass where it gently climbs through the forest to the junction noted above.

A sign invites us to proceed but to stay on trail and avoid the fossil bed.   The next section is the best part of the trail.   It does a high traverse from north to south under Wapta Mountain and passes below the fossil bed.   A permit and guided tour is required to visit the site.   For hikers, continue on into Burgess Pass.   At a high point in this pass, you can sit and see down to field and beyond to Mt. Stephen and the distant Goodsir Peaks.    the northern vista is dominated by the peaks of the President’s Range.   Mount Wapta and Mount Burgess frame the east and west views.  Take your time at this spot because it is one of the great viewpoints in the Rockies.

To finish this hike, follow the long, winding trail down to Emerald Lake through the forest.   The whole hike is long, about 20km,  and takes about 5 hours.   We have done this hike several times over the years and will return for another visit.

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