Length: 7.3 miles / 11.68 km Trail Type: Loop Elevation Change: 1,673 ft / 510 m Total ascent 2,919 ft/890 m. Duration: 5 hours Features: Alpine lakes and meadows, jagged peaks and glaciers, rock and talus, panoramic views.
Summary Experience some of the finest hiking in the Canadian Rockies on a dramatic high country route past jagged peaks and glacial lakes.
Climate Hiking season in the high country is short, July to September. This route is above treeline, so be prepared for changeable conditions.
Getting There Location: Yoho National Park in south-east British Columbia, which adjoins Alberta's Banff National Park. Entrance fee charged - $5 per person for one day, or $35 for the Great Western Annual Pass (which allows entry to all 11 of western Canada's national parks).
Directions: Exit the TransCanada Hwy 15 km east of Field (Yoho's only town) and 11 km west of Lake Louise village, signed Lake O'Hara. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right for 0.8 km to the parking lot at the start of the fire road to Lake O'Hara. The 11-km fire road is restricted to hikers or a limited shuttle bus service (fee charged, reservations essential) - no other vehicles or bicycles are permitted.
Trail Head: In front of the warden cabin, across the fire road from the bus stop at Le Relais Day Shelter.
Trail Description:
Numerous alpine lakes, wildflower-covered meadows and jagged peaks surround beautiful Lake O'Hara. The whole area is crisscrossed with short trails, giving many options for spectacular half or full-day loops and making it possibly the finest area for one-day hiking in the whole of the Canadian Rockies. This spectacular hike combines three alpine routes to make a dramatic high level circuit: Huber Ledges from Wiwaxy Gap to Lake Oesa, Yukness Ledge to Opabin Plateau, and All Soul's Alpine Route to Schäffer Lake.
Starting in front of the warden cabin, head clockwise around O'Hara lakeshore, crossing the outlet bridge as you round the north-west corner of the lake. At 0.4 km, turn left onto the rugged trail to Wiwaxy Gap, a saddle between Wiwaxy Peaks and Mount Huber. Be prepared, because now starts the biggest climb of the day, over 500 m in 1.5 km to the circuit's highest point. Steep switchbacks climb from the forested shoreline to open scree slopes and narrow ledges above treeline. But the effort is worth it. From Wiwaxy Gap there are panoramic views of jagged peaks and alpine lakes, dominated by Lake O'Hara below to the south.
Descend south-east across the ledges and talus slopes of Huber's southern flank towards Lake Oesa, a green gem surrounded by high peaks. On a knoll 0.2 km from the lake, cross the Lake Oesa Trail to the start of the 2.2-km Yukness Ledge Alpine Route. Follow the paint markers south to Oesa's outlet creek, then climb west to begin the rugged traverse beneath Yukness Mountain. Watch your footing on this rough, boulder-strewn section - the narrow ledges can be slippery and have sheer drops, but the views are magnificent (see main photo).
The route drops down to join East Opabin Trail at Hungabee Lake. Keep left to continue across the alpine meadows of Opabin Plateau, climbing for 0.4 km to Opabin Lake. Opabin Glacier clings to the headwall cliffs, wedged between Mount Biddle and Hungabee Mountain (the mountain that dominates the circle of peaks at the head of Paradise Valley to the east).
Bear right onto West Opabin Trail to loop back along the other side of the plateau. Enjoy the contrasting scenery - barren scree slopes of Schäffer Ridge to the left, the meadows and small lakes of the plateau to the right, and ahead the jagged peaks of Odaray, Stephen and Cathedral Mountains. Keep left at the first trail junction between Hungabee and Moor Lakes, and left again at the second to cross Opabin Creek. You are now heading west towards the final rugged section of the circuit, All Soul's Alpine Route. But first, bear right for the 0.6-km detour to Opabin Prospect, a wonderful overview of Lake O'Hara and Cataract Valley.
Loop back to rejoin the main trail and, shortly after, turn left onto All Souls'. This 1.9-km route heads through huge boulders and climbs loose rock to the viewpoint of All Souls' Prospect on Mount Schäffer's north ridge. It is a steep ascent of 275 m, but the ample reward at the top is a breathtaking view of the Lake O'Hara area.
Descend steeply down scree slopes to a junction north-east of Schäffer Lake. The circuit is now drawing to a close. Turn right onto Big Larches Trail, which descends for 1.1 km through stands of larch (particularly beautiful in September) with views down to Mary and O'Hara Lakes. Intersect with Mary Lake Trail and turn left for the quickest return to Le Relais.
Summary of distances: Le Relais to Wiwaxy Gap - 1.9 km Descent to Lake Oesa - 1.7 km Opabin Lake via Yukness Ledge - 2.6 km Opabin Prospect - 1.5 km All Souls' Prospect and Schäffer Lake - 2.3 km Descent to Le Relais - 1.7 km