Lake O'Hara

getting there

Visitors reach Lake O'Hara via shuttle bus—make a reservation with Yoho National Park. Parking for bus is reached via Trans-Canada Highway 1 to its junction with Lake O'Hara access road, 2 miles west of the Alberta-BC border and 1 mile east of Wapta Lake. Follow paved road across tracks and take right onto short gravel road to parking.

• The Lake O'Hara area is on Mountain Time, not Pacific Time. If you are traveling from Seattle, set your watch one hour ahead or you might miss your bus.

on the trail

Enjoy most spectacular scenic backcountry area in the Canadian Rockies during summer and early fall.  Views range from close up to panoramic views of mountains, glaciers, dramatic rock forms, lakes and tarns, waterfalls, meadows, cascading streams, golden alpine larch, birds and other wildlife (pikas to larger species).  Expect abundance of botanical attractions: mushrooms, lichens, mosses, fall color transformations of foliage and larches. You may even see a wolverine in one of the Canadian Rockies' best areas for sightings. Be prepared for a light snowfall to enhance the stunning scenery. Day hikes include Lake Oesa, Opabin Plateau, Schaefer Lake, and more from a base camp to which the park bus transports you. Expect countless photo opportunities, natural history, and a memorable trip to a very special place in the Canadian Rockies!

scrambling & climbing

Scrambling and climbing are also summertime activity options. The nearest well-known scramble goes from Lake O'Hara to the Abbot Pass Hut.

notes

• Guidebook:  Canadian Rockies Trail Guide, 9th ed. by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson (Summerthought Publishing 2011)

INFORMATION for leaders

• Considerations for travel to Canada

  • Start by reviewing the latest regulations. Look for information on border crossing and travel to Canada on these websites:
    
    • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
    • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    • WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation)
    • Government of Canada
  • Everyone must have a passport or other valid ID like a NEXUS card.
  • NEXUS cards can save a lot of time but only work if everyone in the car has one.
  • Make sure your vehicle insurance is valid for Canada.
  • Make sure your health insurance is valid for Canada.
  • Border crossing regulations are strict in both directions. Know what you’re allowed to take and declare everything to avoid problems.
  • You may be able to save time by checking alternate border crossings.
  • See the Travel Industry Council of Ontario's 9 Travel Tips for Crossing the Canadian/U.S. Land Border blog post for some good tips on traveling to Canada.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Cross-country Skiing, Day Hiking, Scrambling, Snowshoeing
• Seasons: June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: U-XC 4 Advanced Ungroomed
• Length: 35.0 mi
• High Point: 8,282 ft

• Land Manager: Yoho National Park
• Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
• Recommended Party Size: 6
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12