160910토- Keith가 보내온 mail- O'hara lake Hiking

160910 Lake O’Hara

After we cancelled our Jasper reservations due to inclement weather but before we had decided on our Saskatchewan trip Donna went to the National Parks online reservation site and had a peek at the Lake O'Hara bus. Hard to believe but there just happened to be a green check mark on September 10. Very quickly we grabbed 4 seats on the 10:30 bus. It is very difficult to get these reservations so we were delighted. We phoned a couple of our friends and they were as excited as we were. Donna and I were back from Saskatchewan late Thursday. on Friday I went hiking with my friend, Chuck, in the Sheep River country. on Friday at 7:50 Donna and I met Elizabeth and Emily at Our Lady of Assumption School and set out for the two hour drive to Lake O'Hara.

The shuttle bus saved us an 11 km walk with 500 M elevation on a gravel road. The bus dropped us off at this day shelter and we got a free map to plan our adventure.

While the girls were busy in the shelter I walked down to Lake O'Hara. I have been here once before on the bus but I have skied the road quite a few times in the winter.

We decided to do a 10 km loop to Opabin Lake. The blue lake in the distance is Lake O'Hara. The nearer lake is Mary Lake. We are presently climbing the headwall beyond Mary Lake. The elevation gain is perhaps only 150 M but it is sudden and steep.

We have gained the plateau after climbing the headwall. It is flat here and the going is easy. It is very pretty and the larches are just starting to turn.

There are a number of smaller lakes on the plateau. Then we have to climb a second headwall of 100 M to reach Opabin Lake. The girls are beginning to tire and I have to do more waiting. It is truly wonderful how they can stretch a two hour hike into four hours. It gives me more time to enjoy the biting wind on the ridge!

The girls have joined me and we are almost at Opabin Lake where we will have lunch. There is a bit of snow mixed with the light rain but luckily there is plenty of wind to keep the mosquitoes away. I'm joking!

We have arrived at Opabin Lake and found a sheltered spot for lunch. A peanut butter sandwich sure tastes good if you can find a spot as beautiful as this to eat it.

Here we are on the plateau before heading down to Lake O'Hara. We had planned to take the Yukness Ledges to Oesa Lake but we kind of missed the junction in the rocks. It's just as well because we probably would have run short of time and missed the 4:30 bus down.

On the way down to Lake O'Hara we passed this waterfall.

Back at Lake O'Hara I had another bit of a wait. We decided that we had enough time to walk the trail around the lake. If you look carefully you can see the trail on the far side.

On the far side of the lake if you do a bit of climbing you can reach these gorgeous waterfalls. They are absolutely stunning and perhaps the most scenic waterfalls I have ever seen. And I have seen a few.