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Yoho National Park - Lake O'Hara District
Lake O'Hara is a breathtakingly beautiful high alpine wilderness area in Yoho National Park. The lake itself is at an elevation of almost 7,000 feet, and can be accessed only by taking a special shuttle bus, or a very long uphill hike, from the Trans-Canada highway. The bus requires advance reservations, and I was really hoping for a nice day on the one we had set aside to hike the region, but alas, it was not to be. Despite the gloomy conditions, the lake and environs were still really a sight to behold. Most of this sceneset is comprised of images taken on a hike around Lake O'Hara and up towards Lake Oesa, a frigid glacial lake still mostly iced over even in early July.

Lake O'Hara This image was taken from the northwest shore of Lake O'Hara, looking back over a small bay in the western part of the lake, towards Lake O'Hara Lodge. This lodge provides rustic but comfortable accomodations despite being entirely off-grid. It's also expensive, at several hundred dollars a night, and despite this, usually sells out a year in advance! Lake O'Hara
Lake O'Hara Panoramic A panoramic view of Lake O'Hara from the north shore. The large mountain on the left is Wiwaxy Peak; in the center is Yukness Mountain; and on the right, part of Mount Schaeffer. Lake O'Hara Panoramic
Alpine Vegetation The shores of Lake O'Hara are covered with spongy lichens and moss, which sprout small blooms of various colors during the short summer growing season. Alpine Vegetation
Mount Schaeffer Mt. Schaeffer is a long, ridge-like mountain that runs from northwest to southeast just south of Lake O'Hara. I captured this image from high above Lake O'Hara's pretty blue-green waters. Mount Schaeffer
Gray, Green and White A particularly pretty sample of the small white flowers we saw on our hike, put forth by tiny alpine plants growing right on the hard granite. Gray, Green and White
The Sucker Hole I was told by a Rockies native that it is common for the clouds to partially subside during the late morning or early afternoon on murky days, creating a The Sucker Hole
Far Above Lake O'Hara A north-looking view of Lake O'Hara from about 800 feet up, on the Oesa Lake Trail. To the left, Mount Schaeffer; to the right, Odaray Mountain; in the foreground, lots of loose rock. Far Above Lake O'Hara
Yukness Lake Yukness Lake is one of many small glacial tarns -- lakes fed by meltwater -- located in the greater Lake O'Hara basin. As always, the brilliant blue-green color is caused by light interacting with suspended rock particles. Yukness Lake
Layers This image shows several layers of interest encountered during our hike: colorful rock in the foreground; pretty Yukness Lake; the rock slide that holds in the lake; and behind, Mounts Schaeffer and Odaray, left and right. Lake O'Hara is in the middle here as well, but too far down to be visible from this angle. Layers
Hoary Marmot The hoary marmot is a very large species of ground squirrel that lives in the higher elevations of the Rockies. We were fortunate to see this one during our hike to Lake Oesa. Hoary Marmot
Yukness Reflections Another view of the small Yukness Lake, with part of the mountain of the same name on the left, and Mt. Schaeffer in the background. Yukness Reflections
Victoria Falls This pretty waterfall carries overflow from tiny Victoria Lake down to Yukness Lake, and then Lake O'Hara. Victoria Falls
Flowers, Rocks and Falls Elements combine in this shot taken on the Lake Oesa trail. Victoria Falls in the background. Flowers, Rocks and Falls
Pika! I spotted this adorable fellow in the distance and captured a couple of quick shots before he scurried off. The quality of this image isn't the best because it's cropped to show more detail -- he was quite far away. Pika!
Hold Still This is one of the lower cascades of Victoria Falls, below Victoria Lake. The lacy waters falling over the rocks begged for a long exposure, but I didn't bring my tripod on this long hike! What to do? Improvise! I braced the camera on a rock and did my best to hold it steady for this half-second exposure. Not bad! Hold Still
Victoria Lake Tiny but beautiful Victoria Lake, located about half-way between the shores of the much larger lakes O'Hara and Oesa. Victoria Lake
Oesa Basin Splendor This is actually a panorama -- tricky to do with a waterfall -- showing a long view back towards Lake O'Hara from the edge of Victoria Lake. In front, Victoria Falls; left-middle, part of Yukness Mountain; center, Yukness Lake; background left, Mount Schaeffer; background center, Lake O'Hara; background right-center, Odaray Mountain; far right, the slope of the Wiwaxy Peaks. Oesa Basin Splendor
Lefroy Lake Lake Lefroy is another tiny, pretty glacial lake on the trail to Lake Oesa. It shares its name with Mount Lefroy, famous as one of the tall mountains seen as the backdrop of iconic images of Lake Louise in Banff National Park. Even though it seems far away, the pinnacle of Mount Lefroy is less than a mile as the (brave) crow flies from this spot. Lefroy Lake
Lake Oesa Lake Oesa is another sparkling gem of the Rockies, and the destination of the aptly-named Lake Oesa Trail. At an elevation of roughly 7,400 feet, and nearly entirely surrounded by much higher mountains, it remains ice-covered well into mid-summer. In fact, Lake Oesa
Icy Oesa Another image of Lake Oesa, along with one of the few trees able to brave the extreme conditions here. The high elevation and cloudy weather caused the mountain peaks to unfortunately be socked in at the lake, but this helped lend a moody atmosphere to this chilly landscape. Icy Oesa
Snow Patterns Sheltered from the sun and at an elevation exceeding 7,000 feet, remnants of the previous year's snows remain into July, reflecting in the pastel-colored waters of Lake Lefroy. Snow Patterns
Odaray Mountain A view across Victoria Lake to Odaray Mountain, beyond Lake O'Hara, before the clouds closed in. Odaray Mountain
Rocky Path If you ever have any doubt as to why they call the range the Rocky Path
Lichen Patterns Life tries to take hold wherever it can in the Rockies. This yellow lichen contrasted nicely with the pinkish rock of the area. Lichen Patterns
Input Meltwater from glaciers and snow collects into streams in late spring and early summer, forming rushing torrents like this one, captured near the far (east) end of Lake O'Hara. Input
Looks Like Fall Orange-brown moss and fallen pine needles make this image of a small waterfall feeding Lake O'Hara look like it was taken in September, not July. Looks Like Fall
Crystal Rain Raindrops pelt the crystalline green waters near the edge of Lake O'Hara. We were lucky that the rain held off long enough for us to complete most of our hike to Lake Oesa, but the last hour trudging back to the bus was not the most enjoyable one we spent in the Rockies. :) Crystal Rain

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