Day 11 Yoho Treks

This morning we drove out of Banff National Park into Yoho National Park. First stop was Emerald Lake. This was another glacier fed lake hence the lovely bright green colour (at home a green lake would not be appealing! Particularly when we compare it to our pool which probably needs more chlorine).

We walked half way around the Lake and then veered off to head for Yoho Pass. Terrain was very different from the last few days. Instead of closely wooded forests with logs and trees covered in sphagnum moss, we had gravelly flood plains with trees dotted here and there. Occasionally we came across heavy sleepers to walk across (to keep your tootsies dry) obviously meant for the earlier part of the season when the area is covered in melting snow water. Some sleepers were still needed for small creek crossings. Some obviously had been dislodged earlier in the season with the raging water and were sitting out at odd angles not connecting up to any others.

After crossing the flood plain we began to climb. Vince tended to be in the lead as it was rock and gravel pathways (he is more sure footed- like a goat!!!) One section reminded us of the walks at Girraween.

We made it to the waterfall that we had seen from below. To our surprise, continuing upwards and around a couple of bends we found a second waterfall that fed the first. We continued a little further into the pass before turning back. Doing the full loop back to Emerald Lake was an 18 km (8 hours) trek and we had other sights to see. We had been told the we would be walking through pine forests if we kept walking so we would not really be seeing anything we hadn't seen for the last few days. It was a good morning "stretch of the legs"!

We then had a short drive down the road to Natural Bridge. This is a bridge across the river formed from water wearing away the limestone. This was also our picnic lunch spot (sitting on a log in the shade).

An interesting drive further up the road, around extremely sharp hairpin turns on 45° angle inclines, we came to Takkakaw Falls. We then took a 1.9km walk to Angel's Staircase Falls. We could have continued on anther 2.2km to Laughing Falls (all uphill) but Margaret was getting slower after all the walking over the past week so we headed back to the car. With the intention of an early night (we have been saying that for over a week and it hasn't happened yet. Maybe tonight it really will happen)

As previously mentioned the age group here is quite diverse. Dot and Clem, you could stay here as there was lady at breakfast in your age bracket. I am sure you would enjoy the Larch Valley walk!!! (Vince - After Marg's little tantrum, they are offering helicopter flights in and out at a reasonable price!!) The kitchen here at night smells amazing with all the multicultural food being prepared. I can imagine my Dad chatting away asking for all the recipesJ.

Vince overheard some people talking, whilst having dinner, about going out on the secondary highway on sunset to see wildlife. We thought, what a great idea. We just turned out of our accommodation to see lots of cars pulled over and a small crowd on the side of the road. One of the cars was a ranger's vehicle so we thought this a good omen. Unfortunately, we just missed seeing the grizzly.

We then drove down the road a little and pulled into a side road. As there were 4 other cars pulled over we thought this was looking good. YES, a grizzly. The other cars had the prime position so we were unable to get a decent photo. The grizzly would have been as tall as a grown man but obviously a much more powerful build. We will try again tomorrow night, making sure we get out a little sooner.

As we coming back into town we heard and saw a firework in the direction of our hostel. Looking down the road we saw the Ranger's Vehicle still where it had been earlier in the evening. Three more fireworks were fired off by the Ranger downstream in the direction of the earlier bear sighting. Unless he was wearing night vision goggles he would not a chance to know if the bear was still there. We guessed this is just a precautionary measure to ensure the bears departure from the inner downtown Lake Louise. Not to mention the ranger's enjoyment of letting off fireworks in the line of "work".

(This also means once again our early night isn't happening as it is currently 10.00pm)

Day 10 Day of Terror (Post Script)

Forgot to mention although Vince was terrific in helping come down the goat track it was scary seeing him at times going backwards to hold my hand and help me on the slope. I was only a little scared at Robert doing this!

Also Log My Run app (what we are using to measure the distances we are walking) went into pause mode at my downhill speed as it did not register movement at a my pace!!