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HIKINGHIKING ININ YOHOYOHO NATIONALNATIONAL PARKPARK Photo: Joel Hagen Photo:

Yoho National Park has 36 peaks over 3000 meters. It protects Rocky Mountain landscapes on the western slopes of the Continental Divide. Rock walls and waterfalls, forests and meadows, sparkling lakes and cascading rivers set the scene for memorable hiking. There are more than 400 km of trails that take visitors from luxuriant river valleys to wind-swept, rocky outcrops. Use the trail chart below to choose a hike suitable for everyone in your party. Detailed route-finding and trail descriptions are available from the staff at the Yoho Visitor Centre. You can also purchase a guide book from the Friends of . We are documenting the presence of rare, large carnivores in the backcountry of Yoho National Park. Please report sightings of , grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, and lynx to the Visitor Centre.

Type Hiking Trail Users Estimated Distance Elevation Trail Description Time (Return) (Return) Gain

1. Wapta Falls 1.5 hours 4.6 km gain/loss 30 m Stroll to incredible viewpoints near a spectacular waterfall. 2. Emerald Lake 2 hours 5.2 km Minimal Gentle interpretive trail, surrounded by mountain and glacier views. 3. Hamilton Falls .5 hours 1.6 km Minimal Pleasant stroll to a delicate cascade. 4. Centennial 45 minutes 2.5 km Minimal Riverside trail along the known for wildflowers. 5. Walk-in-the-Past 1.5 hours 3 km 90 m Follow an interpretive trail to the remnants of an old locomotive. SHORT HIKES SHORT 6. Kicking Horse - Amiskwi 1.5 hours 3.6 km loss 50 m Walk or cycle a forested road to a picnic site with three rivers. 7. Sherbrooke Lake 2.5 hours 6.2 km 165 m Moderate forest hike to a lake rimmed with avalanche debris. 8. Great Divide 2 hours 6 km Minimal Walk or cycle on a closed, paved road. 9. Ross Lake 2 hours 6.4 km 100 m Mixed road and forest trail to lake set at the headwall of Narao Peak. 10. Laughing Falls 3 hours 8.8 km 125 m Forest trail to a waterfall at the confluence of the Yoho and Little Yoho Rivers. 11. Kicking Horse - Otterhead 4.5 hours 12.6 km loss 40 m Walk or cycle on an old fireroad along the Kicking Horse River. 12. Mt. Hunter Lookout 3 hours 7.2 km 410 m Steep trail through open forest to a historic fire lookout tower.

HALF DAY HALF DAY 13. Mt. Hunter Upper Lookout 5.5 hours 12 km 835 m Trail to higher elevation and views of the Kicking Horse and Beaverfoot Valleys. 14. Hoodoos 2.5 hours 5.2 km 325 m Steep, dry, exposed trail leading to capped pillars of glacial debris. 15. Emerald Basin 3.5 hours 9.2 km 225 m Travel through ancient stands of hemlock and cedar to a natural amphitheatre. 16. Paget Lookout 3 hours 7 km 520 m Steep, rocky trail to views of the Bow, Cataract Brook and Kicking Horse Valleys. 17. Hamilton Lake 5 hours 11 km 850 m A steep and steady climb to a cliff-circled alpine tarn. 18. Yoho Pass 5 hrs. or 2 days 12.8 km 530 m Lakeshore stroll, alluvial fan, switchbacks, and waterfalls. Shuttle suggested. 19. Twin Falls 6 hrs. or 2 days 16.4 km 300 m Mostly gentle grades along the to Twin Falls Chalet. 20. Lake O’Hara Road 6 hours 22 km 430 m Gravel road through Cataract Brook Valley. Open to hikers. 21. Ottertail Valley - McArthur 9 hrs. or 2 days 32.4 km 285 m Walk or cycle up the Ottertail River to its confluence with McArthur Creek. 22. Emerald Triangle 8 hours 19.7 km 880 m Steady climbs and descents to Yoho and Burgess Passes. Views of the Emerald Valley. 23. Iceline via Little Yoho 8 hrs. or 2 days 20.8 km 710 m Spectacular signature hike: glaciers, rock staircases and alpine meadows. 24. Iceline via Celeste Lake 7 hours 17.5 km 695 m Shorter descent from the Iceline through alpine meadows and sub-alpine forest. 25. Yoho Glacier Moraine 7.5 hours 20.8 km 250 m Features lush forests of the valley and the stark landscape of a receding glacier. 26. Whaleback 7.5 hours 21.3 km 700 m Trail from Twin Falls to Little Yoho Valley; seasonal suspension bridge. FULL DAY AND OVERNIGHT FULL DAY 27. Little Yoho Valley 7 hours 18.6 km 520 m Moderate to steep forested hike into a scenic hanging valley. 28. Goodsir Pass 12 hrs. or 2 days 25 km one way 915 m Steep trail connecting Yoho to ’s Rockwall Trail.

Cyclists allowed No cycling allowed on the Lake O’Hara Road Backcountry Campground Easy Moderate Difficult HIKING IN YOHO NATIONAL PARK

Adventure comes in many forms! Established in 1886, Yoho Visitors can access numerous waterfalls, lakes and day use National Park offers a wide varity of easy walks suitable for areas just a short distance from their car or travel trails that families and people of all abilities as well as longer, more have been used for over a century to explore remote areas of challenging trails for keen hikers. Yoho’s impressive vertical the park and investigate the park’s rich heritage of chalets, landscapes also host alpinists year round. cabins and fire lookout towers.

Photos left to right: Hiking the Emerald Triangle; lynx; Wiwaxy Peaks, & Mount Victoria Plan Ahead and Prepare Safety

Remember, you are responsible for your own safety. Emergency • Get advice from a Parks Visitor Centre. Call 911 or, if using a satellite phone, the park dispatch office at • Study trail descriptions and maps before starting. 403-762-4506. Cell phone reception is unreliable. • Check the weather forecast and current trail conditions. • Choose a trail suitable for the least experienced member in your group. Keep Wildlife Wild, and Yourself Safer • Pack adequate food, water, clothing, maps and gear. • Travel in groups and make noise to avoid surprise encounters. • Carry a first aid kit and bear spray. • Do not feed, touch, or approach wildlife. Stay at least 30 to 50 metres • Tell somebody where you’re going, when you’ll be back and who to away from most animals, and 100 metres away from bears. call if you don’t return. • Travel with a friend or group. • Carry bear spray and know how to use it. • Be prepared for emergencies and changes in weather. • Pets must be on a leash at all times. Stay on Maintained Trails • To prevent trail damage stay on the trail and avoid shortcuts. Avalanches The right combination of snow cover and slope angle can produce Leave What You Find, and Take What You Bring avalanches. Be careful when crossing snow slopes or when exposed to • Pack out all garbage, including diapers and food waste. avalanche paths. • Dispose of human waste at least 100 m from any water source. Bury solid human waste in a hole 15 cm deep. Pack out your toilet paper or use biodegradable toilet paper and bury it. More Information • Natural and cultural resources such as rocks, fossils, artifacts, horns, antlers, wildflowers and nests are protected by law and must be left • Yoho National Park Visitor Centre: 250-343-6783 undisturbed for others to discover and enjoy. • Lake O’Hara information: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/lakeohara Backcountry • Website: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/yoho A backcountry camping permit is required for any overnight trip. Reserva- tions can be made up to three months in advance by calling 250-343-6783. • Yoho Trail Conditions Report: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/yohotrails Random Camping • Weather: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca Non-designated or random camping may be permitted. Ask Parks • Avalanche Reports and Information: avalanche.pc.gc.ca Canada Visitor Centre staff for details. • Maps and Guide Books: Friends of Yoho National Park at Cycling the Yoho Visitor Centre, 250-343-6393 or www.friendsofyoho.ca Cyclists are susceptible to sudden, dangerous bear encounters – Done with this Brochure? slow down, stay alert and make noise. Please return for re-use to a park facility or share it with others. • Mountain biking is allowed only on trails designated for cycling. • Cyclists yield to hikers. Cyclists and hikers yield to horses. How was your trip? • Stay on trails and avoid skidding. Please send us your comments at [email protected] and report trail problems to park staff. Fishing A National Park fishing Permit is required. Également offert en français Printed in 2015. To Banff  10 93 1 →

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