Yoho Valley

Yoho Valley Trail

This was a bit of a fly by the seat of our pants kind of day. Dad was going off to hike a trail we had already been on earlier in the trip with his hiking club and so my brothers and I had the day to do our own thing.

I had been lucky enough to visit Lake O'Hara the year before and really wanted my brothers to experience area so we decided to try our luck and see if we could nab a last minute spot on the Parks Canada bus. We had our fingers crossed that some people with reservations would not show up.

Our step-mother drove us to the spot where we could wait for the bus and she waited around to see if we got a spot. Unfortunately, there were a few other last minute people like us who had got there earlier and they snagged the empty spots on the bus.

With the Lake O'Hara plans out the window we had to find something else to do that day. I suggested that we go to Takkakaw Falls and Emerald Lake as they were both nearby and my brothers had never been.

It was still absurdly early in the morning so we were the first people to show up at the falls.It was rather cold, especially with the mist from the falls so we did not linger for too long.

After visiting Tak Falls my brother suggested that we explore the Yoho Valley Trail as there were more waterfalls to see along it. The guide book "Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies" said the trail was a waste of time essentially but we decided to do it anyways. We were pleased with the trail, it is certainly  nothing exciting or challenging but we got to see some pretty mountain scenery. It is a very manageable trail for pretty much any fitness level as it is essentially flat.

You start by walking through an open rocky area and then you enter the forest.

The trail splits and you can go in two different directions. One direction takes you by the river.

The other direction takes you to the Laughing Falls campground and this pretty waterfall.

Point Lace Falls

My brother and I decided to scramble up the hill alongside the falls. He made it all the way to the top, I chickened out about halfway up.

The dogs were very concerned over our little adventure. The step-mother and my other brother didn't seem to care too much though...

As I said, we found the trail to be pleasant enough. If you only have a day or two in the area then there are certainly far better trails with more spectacular scenery. However, if you don't feel you have the stamina or fitness level for a more challenging trail this is certainly a pleasant option, especially if you are already visiting Takkakaw Falls which is certainly with a visit in and of itself.

A Stroll Around Lake Louise

A Stroll Around Lake Louise

On this day my dad and brothers were heading off to hike through Paradise Valley with my dad's hiking club. While I would love to explore Paradise Valley it is a demanding hike and I can't keep up with the club so I was going to be spending the day at Lake Louise with my stepmother and the dogs.

It was a fairly relaxing day, I decided to climb up to Fairview Lookout and then stroll around the lake.

The climb up to Fairview Lookout is not terribly long but it is demanding for those who are not used to climbing. We saw several people on the trail that had to take a few breaks on the way to the lookout. One couple that was on the trail with us gave us nasty looks for having the dogs with us. I was put out by that, the dogs were not bothering anybody and they were leashed.

The lookout is a nice place to go if you don't have a great deal of time to spend at Lake Louise but you want to get a different view than the one at the shoreline.

Fairview Lookout

The weather that day was mixed, sunny, cloudy, rainy, sunny again, then rain, repeat. My stepmother was fretting over the weather conditions for my dad and brothers on their 10 hour hike.

After Fairview Lookout we went down to the shore of Lake Louise and strolled around to the end of the lake. We got rained on a bit and then  the sun came out again. We also ran into a lady that we know from the hiking club who also had not gone to Paradise Valley that day. Instead she was spending the day sketching by Lake Louise.

The dogs were not put off by the cold water. They wanted to jump right in.

At the start of the Lake Louise Shoreline Trail is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Once we were done our stroll I went inside to check out the shops while my stepmother waited outside. I admired the lovely flowers that were planted outside. I would love to stay at this hotel someday, must be a lovely place to have a wedding.

Once I came back outside we still had two hours to kill until we were due to pick up my dad and brothers from their hike so we drove up to Moraine Lake where I explore the Shoreline Trail there.

 I always shake my head when I see people climbing the rockpile this way. Do they not realize there is a staircase or are they choosing to live dangerously? I see people wearing flip flops climb this way!

Done with my wandering around we went to collect the boys from the designated meeting spot. They were an hour later showing up than expected, good thing we had reading material in the car!

That night my brothers and I took the dogs for a walk along the Bow River that runs through the campground. It was a lovely evening and the dogs loved it.

Here are a few pictures from the boys hike through Paradise Valley. The hike started at Moraine Lake and proceeded up through Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass and then down into Paradise Valley. The trail then spit them out at a parking lot about halfway down Moraine Lake Road. If you do this hike you need to arrange for somebody to pick you up at the other end otherwise you will have a long walk back to your car.

Sentinel Pass

Looking back at Larch Valley and the Ten Peaks

Looking down into Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley

Giant's Steps in Paradise Valley