Yoho National Park

After our smokey arrival in Golden, we crossed our fingers the next days when we drove up the Kicking Horse Pass to climb to Yoho National Park.  Up high there was still some slight foggy mist in the sky but not enough to hide the magnificent mountains to us. Phewww. 

We also gazed in amazement to the huge infrastructure works going on in the renewal and doubling of the pass which closes the TransCanada highway many nights, of which I follow the progress also on FB. 

We only planned to visit Yoho National Park and not go into Banff National Park or Jasper, although this park is relatively small compared to its more famous neighbours. We drove immediately to the almost furthest parking lot before we'd cross the provincial / park border and stopped at the Spiral Tunnels. 

Spiral Tunnels

Just like previous visits, we were totally lucky to find a train passing through the tunnels and in the right directions so we could first admire it in the lower spiral tunnels and later in the upper spiral tunnels.  We explained the children the history of the Canadian railroads, that are at the base of forming a country and forming the national parks, the steep grades through the Rockies that caused so many accidents and how spiral tunnels in the rocks made the railroad longer but less steep and hence safer. 

Then we observed with many other tourists the enormous long train which passed at our feet, went in the tunnel visible at a distance and at the same time came out of the tunnel higher up a bit further.  You can spot the same train at 3 spots which is sort of mind boggling. 

Takkakaw Falls & Yoho valley

The main reason we'd only explore Yoho National Park today is that we had the Yoho valley on our must-visit list. This valley only opens up from mid-June to mid-October and it was the first time in 25 years that we visited Canada in summer again.  So finally we could go admire Canada's highest falls again, and we had the time to do some more exploring of the valley behind. 

We took the hair pin road up just before the big crowds arrived as we took some of the last parking spots. After a short hike we could enjoy the very cold mist of the big falls, that were much bigger than 25 years ago in September.  They must be so impressive to see in the Spring when the melting water of the above ice fields increases the fall to a massive water dump.  Unfortunately, we could not spot the Daly Glaciar on top that feeds the Takkakaw Falls, something I've been able to do in the past.  I fear his size has been reduced too much in the mean time :(. 
  

lots of wind and noise and goosebumps in the fall's mist

posing in the Parks Canada landmark red chairs

From the parking lot, we started to hike in the direction of Laughing Falls, along the Yoho river in the valley that is dominated on both sides with mountains peaks above 3000 meters and glaciars on all sides hiding behind those peaks.  Several smaller falls all feed creeks into the Yoho river. 

We walked to some intermediate falls just before the more difficult hike in the direction of the Yoho Glacier would start. 

On our way back it was lovely to spot the Takkakaw Falls from side perspective

Field

After our lovely hike we returned to Field, the only town in Yoho National Park to have a picknick lunch outside at the town's little lake.  We feared that Emeral lake would have been too busy to claim a picknick table hence we chose the less idylic tourist information parking lot.   Still a very good spot to be if you look at the pictures below.  The children handed in their Parks' assignment book and received one of the collectionable badges. 

Emerald Lake

In the afternoon we headed to one of the Rockies most beautiful lakes : Emerald Lake.   Slightly less famous as Lake Louise and Lake Morraine in Banff National Park that are so busy you need shuttle busses to access them lately.  (that's another reason we really didn't feel like going to Banff National Park anymore. Been there, done that, don't need the crowds anymore).   

Unfortunately, Emerald Lake also has its fame and all parking spots a few kms from the parking were already taken. It took us a while of circling to secure a spot at quite of bit of walking along the access road to be able to visit.  But it's worth it. 

We took the full hike around the lake...something most tourists are not up to and therefore we could avoid the tourists just stumbling around at the entrance point of the lake near the tourist shop and the hotel.  The views on the opposite side where the creek from Emerald Glacier meanders down the valley into the lake is great. We noticed that here is a connecting pass to hike from Emerald Lake across a pass towards the Takkakaw Falls. Sounds like something for a bucket list one day. 

With sufficient hiked kilometers in our feet, we returned to the car to descend back out of the park to our hotel. But not before we had a stop at the Natural Bridge with another last traditional family selfie. 
(you can compare with the 2019 version, as well as the Emerald Lake pictures etc...) 

Well it sure was a lovely day, a good escape of the wildfire smoke and it was great that after multiple visits we were able to do some new hikes and explorations. These mountains never fail to impress.