Lake O'Hara dayhiking reservations
Jun 3rd, 2008, 05:24 AM
#1
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Lake O'Hara dayhiking reservations
We are bringing some hiking friends to Lake Louise/Jasper this Sept. and only have 6 days to hike. With such a short visit, do you think that hiking in the Lake O'Hara area is worth spending the whole day there? I am thinking that there is no way we can make the 8:30 bus so we would be on the 10:30.
We were so impressed on our last visit with the spectacular hikes we took. If it was just my husband and I, I would definitely reserve 2 spots. I don't even know if I can get reservations for 6 people.
We are the only couple that has done any hiking in the area. Can't wait to bring our friends.
We were so impressed on our last visit with the spectacular hikes we took. If it was just my husband and I, I would definitely reserve 2 spots. I don't even know if I can get reservations for 6 people.
We are the only couple that has done any hiking in the area. Can't wait to bring our friends.
Jun 3rd, 2008, 09:54 AM
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Here is a snippet from the Yoho web site:
When you call, please have the following information ready:
* Dates requested: maximum of 3 nights for camping
* Number of people: maximum of 6 people per party for day use
* Number of campsites: maximum of 2 sites per party and 1 tent per site
* Preferred ingoing bus time: reservations are not required for
an outgoing bus
Lake O'Hara Reservation Line: 250.343.6433 Mountain Time
Is it worth it? Well I think it is!!! In fact I think it is worth 3 days.
There are two routes I like very much. The highline trail from Le Relais to Lake McArthur and the O-Hara - Opabin - Yukness Ledge - Oesa O'Hara hike.
Part of the Yukness Ledge route is rocky, but rewarding. At one point the hikers can look straight down over 1,000 feet to Lake O'Hara.
McArthur is a pretty lake as well, but the trail out there is full of great views.
There is one place on the highline trail that is a bit difficult for some people, like me at age 72!!
A younger person would have no problems.
If you do both of these you will spend most of the day at least.
The best hike of all is long and unless you are a very strong hiker it requires an overnighter.
From the Whiskey Jack Hostle take the Iceline Trail to where the Celeste Lake cutoff descends to the lake and the Little Yoho River.
Ascend the steep side of the valley to the high point on the Whaleback Trail. From there, look all around for a long time!
Continue on down the trail toward the bridge that crosses Twin Falls Creek near the brink of the falls.
Cross the brige and turn left up an unmarked trail Forllow the worn path up a steep bluff and continue on to Waterfall Valley.
Descend to Twin Falls Chalet, view the falls, and then head 8 k to the parking lot.
This is a long one and takes a very fit hiker to do it in one day.
There are several variation on this basic theme. Leave out the Iceline and take the valley trail to Twin Falls Chalet, then ascend the trail to the brink of the falls. You can continue up Waterfall Valley and return over the Whaleback.
Needless to say, Yoho is my favorite of those parks for hiking trails that lead to fantastic views.
When you call, please have the following information ready:
* Dates requested: maximum of 3 nights for camping
* Number of people: maximum of 6 people per party for day use
* Number of campsites: maximum of 2 sites per party and 1 tent per site
* Preferred ingoing bus time: reservations are not required for
an outgoing bus
Lake O'Hara Reservation Line: 250.343.6433 Mountain Time
Is it worth it? Well I think it is!!! In fact I think it is worth 3 days.
There are two routes I like very much. The highline trail from Le Relais to Lake McArthur and the O-Hara - Opabin - Yukness Ledge - Oesa O'Hara hike.
Part of the Yukness Ledge route is rocky, but rewarding. At one point the hikers can look straight down over 1,000 feet to Lake O'Hara.
McArthur is a pretty lake as well, but the trail out there is full of great views.
There is one place on the highline trail that is a bit difficult for some people, like me at age 72!!
A younger person would have no problems.
If you do both of these you will spend most of the day at least.
The best hike of all is long and unless you are a very strong hiker it requires an overnighter.
From the Whiskey Jack Hostle take the Iceline Trail to where the Celeste Lake cutoff descends to the lake and the Little Yoho River.
Ascend the steep side of the valley to the high point on the Whaleback Trail. From there, look all around for a long time!
Continue on down the trail toward the bridge that crosses Twin Falls Creek near the brink of the falls.
Cross the brige and turn left up an unmarked trail Forllow the worn path up a steep bluff and continue on to Waterfall Valley.
Descend to Twin Falls Chalet, view the falls, and then head 8 k to the parking lot.
This is a long one and takes a very fit hiker to do it in one day.
There are several variation on this basic theme. Leave out the Iceline and take the valley trail to Twin Falls Chalet, then ascend the trail to the brink of the falls. You can continue up Waterfall Valley and return over the Whaleback.
Needless to say, Yoho is my favorite of those parks for hiking trails that lead to fantastic views.
Jun 3rd, 2008, 03:15 PM
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One year in August we hiked while snow was falling. Undaunted we toward Lake Oesa. The clouds were so think I just about fell in the lake before I saw it!
The old park warden, now retired, went past us like were standing still in a short sleeved shirt carrying an umbrella to keep of the snow.
As the old song says, he was moving on.
Why hike in the snow? That was our day there and it was a long wait for the bus back to the parking lot.
In a way it was frustrating, but we cannot control the weather.
The old park warden, now retired, went past us like were standing still in a short sleeved shirt carrying an umbrella to keep of the snow.
As the old song says, he was moving on.
Why hike in the snow? That was our day there and it was a long wait for the bus back to the parking lot.
In a way it was frustrating, but we cannot control the weather.
Jun 4th, 2008, 08:08 AM
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Thanks--my dream trip is to stay at Lake O'Hara Lodge. My husband told me to just keep dreaming.
We'll try to get reservations next week for our Sept day hike.
In Patton's book, they detail the Lake Oesa trail and then the Opabin Plateau trail, which they list as a classic hike of the Rockies. It looks like these can be combined but will we have time to do both? I think we need a map. I can just see me getting the group lost and missing the bus back.
We'll try to get reservations next week for our Sept day hike.
In Patton's book, they detail the Lake Oesa trail and then the Opabin Plateau trail, which they list as a classic hike of the Rockies. It looks like these can be combined but will we have time to do both? I think we need a map. I can just see me getting the group lost and missing the bus back.
Jun 4th, 2008, 01:49 PM
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First of all you would have to work at it to get lost around Lake O'Hara. The trails are marked as a general rule.
The shuttle bus stops at Le Relais where most day hikers get off.
The trail to Lake Oesa starts by the lake shore behind the warden's cabin.
Follow the lake shore trail to a junction where a sign points to Lake Oesa. From Oesa, take the Yukness Ledge route to Opabin Lake. From there descend to the shore of Lake'Ohara. Walk to your left along the lake, cutting through the cabins of Lake O'Hara Lodge back to Le Relais.
It can be done in about 4 to 6 hours depending on your speed, conditioning, etc.
The shuttle bus stops at Le Relais where most day hikers get off.
The trail to Lake Oesa starts by the lake shore behind the warden's cabin.
Follow the lake shore trail to a junction where a sign points to Lake Oesa. From Oesa, take the Yukness Ledge route to Opabin Lake. From there descend to the shore of Lake'Ohara. Walk to your left along the lake, cutting through the cabins of Lake O'Hara Lodge back to Le Relais.
It can be done in about 4 to 6 hours depending on your speed, conditioning, etc.
Jun 16th, 2008, 09:27 AM
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We got reservations for the 6 of us on the 10:30am bus on Sept. 12th. Got in touch with them on our second try.
We didn't even know about Lake O'Hara on our last visit--thanks to everyone here for the recommendations. Now just hoping for clear skies.
We didn't even know about Lake O'Hara on our last visit--thanks to everyone here for the recommendations. Now just hoping for clear skies.
