In order to do these hikes/explorations, a hiker will need to drive the Upper Dewdrop Road and continue to stay high. The road is a bit rough, but not 4WD. As it climbs into a steep valley, it turns north and follows a gully all the way to the top of Red Plateau. There are some eroded sections on the … Continue reading…
Lake O’Hara is a popular destination for cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. As a day trip, it is 12 km each way just to get to the lake and back. The route is along the snow-covered gravel road, which makes nice cross-country skiing. The route is not tracked, although skier-tracks can become deeply furrowed and improve the glide … Continue reading…
There are a number of sections of the Great Divide Trail and hiking most of them is a multi-year challenge. One summer, we backpacked from the Kootenay National Park to Lake O’Hara, a 4 day journey to Floe Lake, through Numa Pass, Tumbling Pass, under the Rockwall, and beyond to Helmet Creek, Goodsir Pass, and then up McArthur Pass to … Continue reading…
The easy way to Lake O’Hara is to book the bus and ride up to the parking area. But there are other ways to get there…. Wenkchemna Pass to Opabin Pass Late in October we drove to Moraine Lake. The first snows had not yet struck, but the road in was dry (its not plowed in winter). No one was … Continue reading…
Another quieter, less visited area of Lake O’Hara are the trails over to Morning Glory, Linda Lake, and the upper Cathedral Lakes. Either of two trails can be taken over to the basin, and they both end up in the woods on their way to a plateau of forest-surrounded lakes. If it is cloudy or if your legs are heavy … Continue reading…
Another magical area is to hike up from Lake O’Hara through the meadows to Lake McArthur. The trail is only about 3.6 km and climbs through alpine meadows, past the top of McArthur Pass and over a rise to the shores of Lake McArthur. All by itself, this is a perfect destination, but combining it with a side route up … Continue reading…
A continuation of posts on the Lake O’Hara area …. One of the premier hikes in the Rockies is the hike up to Wiwaxy Gap, down to Lake Oesa, around Yukness Ledge and a loop on the Opabin Plateau. From the campground/bus area, look for a trail junction on the north side of Lake O’Hara. Cross the bridge at the … Continue reading…
Some of the finest hiking trails anywhere in North American can be found at Lake O”Hara in Yoho National Park. The trail system sits high in the mountains on the BC side of the Great Divide, on the other side of Mt. Victoria which looms over Lake Louise. Access to the area is limited by the National Parks system to … Continue reading…
A continuation of a series on the calls and songs of birds you may encounter along the trails, waterways, and explorations of our area: Tundra Swan (double click) Canada Goose
Continue reading...Just outside of City limits in Barnhartvale is an area of trails and tracks in a relatively flat area. Not far past Eagle Point Golf Course is a side road that goes down to Campbell Creek. Drive down this road a short distance and park at the side of the road. Tracks lead east and a loop route can be … Continue reading…
The Roche Lake area is not really known as a hiking or biking area, but there are routes and trails everywhere. The area can be linked over to Scuitto Lake or from Ernst Lake over to McGlashan Lake. There is a climbing area to the northwest. We have enjoyed following roads among the lakes and connecting some of the routes … Continue reading…
The Dewdrop Range Road has deteriorated a great deal over the last 20 years so that now it is better suited to a high clearance or 4WD vehicle. All the roads are driveable still, but erosion has made some places very rough. With a fair amount of pine beetle kill too, the roads have become narrower with fallen trees down. … Continue reading…
A pleasant hike in interesting terrain is show on the map below. Drive up the Red Lake Road and at the hairpin, turn left onto the Dewdrop Range Road, sometimes called the Frederick Road. Continue along the flats until you come to an intersection. The upper road is called the Dewdrop Range Road and it continues over rough roads all … Continue reading…
Drive up the Red Lake Road, then turn onto the Dewdrop Range Road. At the junction, take the lower Frederick (left road) and proceed to the parking area (at N 50° 45.159 W 120° 36.572). From the parking area, follow the double track south which narrows down to a single track as it climbs through a low pass, then widens … Continue reading…
A good trail system supports hiking in 3 seasons and a few even offer 4 seasons of hiking with opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. We have hiked Embleton Trails in all 4 seasons, although the upper sections are best tackled with snowshoes. This winter, we will hike the lower slopes then find a log along the way to sit … Continue reading…
The original Trans-Canada Highway climbed the hill behind the current route past the lookout and went along the shores of Six Mile Loop, coming down to the Tunkwa Lake Road and down the hill to the current highway. Remnants of the road are still there. The road up from both sides now has broken pavement, but there are sections up … Continue reading…