Yoho National Park:

Yoho National Park (/ˈjoʊhoʊ/) is a national park of Canada located in the Rocky Mountains
along the western slope of the Continental Divide of the Americas in southeastern British
Columbia. The word Yoho is a Cree expression of amazement or awe, and it is an apt description
for the spectacular landscape of massive ice fields and mountain peaks that rank among the
highest in the Canadian Rockies. Yoho NP is bordered by Kootenay National Park on the southern
side and Banff National Park on the eastern side in Alberta.

Yoho covers 1,313 square kilometres (507 sq mi), and it is the smallest of the four contiguous
national parks. Yoho, together with Jasper, Kootenay and Banff National Parks, along with three
British Columbia provincial parks—Hamber Provincial Park, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park,
and Mount Robson Provincial Park—form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage
Site. The park's administrative and visitor centre are located in Field, British Columbia, beside the
Trans-Canada Highway.

Contents

1 History

2 Fauna

3 Climate

4 Geology

4.1 Mountains

4.2 Waterfalls

5 points of interest.

History

The park was created following a trip by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his wife Agnes
through the Rockies on the newly completed Transcontinental Railway. Inspired on his return to
Ottawa, Yoho National Park was created on October 10, 1886. Glacier National Park was created
on the same day, becoming the second and third national parks in the country, after Banff. The
contiguous national parks of Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho, as well as the Mount Robson,
Mount Assiniboine and Hamber provincial parks were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 1984.

Fauna

Common species of animals that roam in this park are the timber wolf, coyote, badger, moose,
elk, mule deer, mountain goat, golden-mantled ground squirrel, rufous hummingbird, hoary
marmot, wolverine, cougar, pika, lynx, grizzly bear, and American black bear.

Climate

The weather in the park is localized and changeable. Being located on the western side of the
continental divide, it receives more precipitation than areas east of the divide.[4] Precipitation in
the park increases with elevation.In winter, average temperatures are between 5 to −15 °C (41.0
to 5.0 °F) from the months November to April although temperatures can range between 10 to
−35 °C (50.0 to −31.0 °F). The coldest weather usually occurs in the months December to
February.[4] In summer, mean temperatures average 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) with an average high of 20
°C (68.0 °F) and an average low of 5 °C (41.0 °F).[4] Snowfall and freezing temperatures can
occur during the summertime at altitudes above 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

Geology

The Kicking Horse River, a Canadian Heritage river, originates in the Wapta and Waputik
icefields in the park. This river has created a natural bridge through solid rock. This formation is
located 3 km west of Field, accessible from the road to Emerald Lake.

The Canadian Rockies consist of sedimentary rock, with numerous fossil deposits. In particular,
the Burgess Shale, located in Yoho National Park, has among the world's richest deposits of
rare[further explanation needed] fossils.[citation needed] The Burgess Shale was discovered in
1909 by Charles Doolittle Walcott. In the southeastern corner of the park is an igneous intrusion
known as the Ice River Complex containing deposits of sodalite, an ornamental stone.

Mountains

Mount Goodsir 3,567 m (11,703 ft)

Mount Goodsir is the highest mountain in the Ottertail Range, a subrange of the Canadian
Rockies in British Columbia. It is located in Yoho National Park, near its border with Kootenay
National Park. The mountain has two major summits, the South Tower and the North Tower,
3,525 metres (11,565 ft).

Mount Vaux 3,310 m (10,860 ft)

ount Vaux is a 3,310-metre (10,860-foot) mountain summit located in the Kicking Horse River
valley of Yoho National Park, in the Ottertail Range of the Canadian Rockies in British
Columbia, Canada. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Goodsir, 11.0 km (6.8 mi) to the southeast.
Mount Vaux can be seen from Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, which traverses the
western foot of the mountain, as well as from Emerald Lake. Vaux is pronounced Vox, rhymes
with box.

Mount Balfour 3,272 m (10,735 ft)

Mount Balfour is a mountain located on the Continental Divide, part of the border between
British Columbia and Alberta, in the Waputik Range in the Park Ranges of the Canadian
Rockies.It is the 71st highest peak in Alberta and the 113th highest in British Columbia; it is also
the 52nd most prominent in Alberta.
Chancellor Peak 3,266 m (10,715 ft)

Chancellor Peak is a 3,266-metre (10,715-foot) mountain summit located in Yoho National Park,
in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, Canada. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Vaux, 4.0
km (2.5 mi) to the north-northwest. Both are part of the Ottertail Range. Chancellor Peak is a
landmark in the Kicking Horse River valley and can be seen from the Trans-Canada Highway
midway between Golden and Field.

Mount Stephen 3,199 m (10,496 ft)

Mount Stephen is the tallest of the four mountains that surround the town of Field, British
Columbia. A portion of the Burgess Shale fossils were discovered on Mount Stephen.

Cathedral Mountain 3,189 m (10,463 ft)

Cathedral Mountain is a 3,189-metre (10,463-foot) complex massif located six kilometres
northwest of Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia,
Canada. Its shape and structure conjures up a resemblance to a gothic cathedral that has inspired
many artists, including Group of Seven's Arthur Lismer, to paint it back in 1928. This picturesque
mountain is visible from Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway near Kicking Horse Pass. Its
nearest higher peak is Mount Stephen, 3.0 km (1.9 mi) to the west. To prevent damage to its
operations, CP Rail pumps overflow from Teacup Lake down the west face of Cathedral in order
to minimize the subglacial lake's discharging in a phenomenon known as a jökulhlaup.

The President 3,138 m (10,296 ft)

The President is a mountain peak on The President/Vice-President Massif of the President Range,
in eastern British Columbia.

Odaray Mountain 3,137 m (10,292 ft)

Odaray Mountain is a 3,137-metre (10,292-foot) summit located west of Lake O'Hara in the Bow
Range of Yoho National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, Canada. Its nearest
higher peak is Mount Huber, 3.86 km (2.40 mi) to the east. The standard climbing route follows
the southeast glacier and ridge starting from Elizabeth Parker hut. Pronunciation sounds like the
two words "ode array".

The Vice President 3,077 m (10,095 ft)

The Vice President is a mountain on The President/Vice President Massif just North of Emerald
Lake in Yoho National Park, near the Alpine Club of Canada's Stanley Mitchell hut.

Wapta Mountain 2,778 m (9,114 ft)

Wapta Mountain is a mountain located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains between Emerald Lake
and Yoho Valley in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada. It stands just north of the
ridge containing the Burgess Shale fossil beds. Along with The Vice President and Mount
Burgess, Wapta Mountain forms the backdrop to Emerald Lake, and marks the southern end of
the President Range.In 1901, James Outram, J. H. Scattergood, and their guide C. Bohren,
became the first people to ascend Wapta Mountain.[4] Wapta Mountain overlooks Takakkaw Falls
(1,247 feet), the second tallest waterfall in western Canada. The word "Wapta" means "river" in
Stoney language

Mount Field 2,643 m (8,671 ft)

Mount Field is a mountain located about 10 km (6 mi) east of the town of Field in Yoho National
Park, Canada. The mountain was named in 1884[4] after Cyrus West Field, an American
merchant who had laid the first Atlantic cable, 1858, a second in 1866; Mr. Field was visiting the
Canadian Rockies the year as a guest of the CPR who were building the national railway, at the
naming of a station and a mountain.The Burgess Shale is located below the ridge connecting Mt.
Field to Wapta Mountain.

Mount Burgess 2,599 m (8,527 ft)

Mount Burgess is a frequently climbed mountain. For 17 years it was featured on the Canadian
ten-dollar bill.

Paget Peak 2,560 metres (8,400 ft)

Waterfalls

Takakkaw Falls

Location: 39 km northwest of Lake Louise, AB and 17 km northeast of Field, B.C on Yoho Valley
Road (map)

Tumbling 254m (830 feet) in one stretch and 384m (1,260 feet) in total, these falls are among the
highest in Canada and the gateway to some of Yoho’s most beautiful hiking. Feel the spray at the
base of the falls or enjoy views from afar. Accessible mid-June until mid-October to small
vehicles and bicycles only due to steep, tight switchbacks.

Wapta Falls

Location: 52 km west of Lake Louise, AB and 26 km west of Field, B.C off Hwy 1 (map)

At 30 metres (98 feet) high and 150 metres (490 feet) wide, this is the largest waterfall on the
Kicking Horse River. The trail to the falls is a gentle 2.4km (1.5 mile) hike through verdant forest
departing from a trailhead 2 km off the Trans-Canada Highway. Accessible mid-June through
mid-October.

Points of interest:
Yoho National Park boasts towering rock walls, spectacular waterfalls and 28 peaks over 3 000
metres in height. The word “Yoho” is a Cree expression of awe and wonder.

Open year round:

Village of Field, B.C.

Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge

Kicking Horse River

Wapta Falls

Lake O'Hara (bus only runs in summer)

Open Spring through Fall (dates vary):

Spiral Tunnels

Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site

Takakkaw Falls and the Yoho Valley

Burgess Shale Fossil Beds

Yoho Visitor Centre

Map of Yoho National Park

Note: All distances below are approximate.

Spiral Tunnels

Lower Viewpoint: 18 km west of Lake Louise, AB and 7.5 km east of Field B.C. on Hwy 1 (map)
Upper Viewpoint: 20 km northwest of Lake Louise, AB and 7.5 km northeast of Field B.C. on
Yoho Valley Road (map)

This engineering marvel reduced the railway grade in the treacherous Kicking Horse Pass. Up to
30 trains pass through the tunnels at varying times daily. Two viewpoints are open mid-June
through mid-October.

Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site

Location: On Highway 1, 17 km west of Lake Louise, AB and 9 km east of Field, B.C. (map)

A steep, narrow pass shepherds the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway
across the Continental Divide. The audacious route was chosen in the 1870s for its proximity to
the U.S. border and the Pacific Ocean. It brought B.C. into Confederation and connected Canada
with Pacific ports when the nation was new.

Takakkaw Falls via the Yoho Valley

Takakkaw Falls

Location: 39 km northwest of Lake Louise, AB and 17 km northeast of Field, B.C on Yoho Valley
Road (map)

Tumbling 254m (830 feet) in one stretch and 384m (1,260 feet) in total, these falls are among the
highest in Canada and the gateway to some of Yoho’s most beautiful hiking. Feel the spray at the
base of the falls or enjoy views from afar. Accessible mid-June until mid-October to small
vehicles and bicycles only due to steep, tight switchbacks.

Avalanche Safety: In winter, the Yoho Valley Road offers beautiful skiing. If you wish to venture
beyond the switchbacks, however, you must have avalanche training, skills and equipment (i.e.
beacon, probe and shovel).

Village of Field
Field, B.C.

Location: 26 km west of Lake Louise, AB on Hwy 1 (map)

This charming village of fewer than 200 people is an authentic mountain retreat with
accommodation year-round, artisan crafts, and culinary delights (including many gluten-free
options). Established in the 1880s as a siding for the Canadian Pacific Railway, it is now home to
almost all human residents of Yoho National Park and the Yoho Visitor Centre. A lovely town at
any time of the year.

Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge

Emerald Lake
Location: 36 km west of Lake Louise, AB and 10 km northwest of Field, B.C on Emerald Lake
Road (map)

This turquoise lake offers superb walking, paddling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Picnic on the lakeshore or dine in luxury at one of two restaurants. Stop at the Natural Bridge
along the way and admire the Kicking Horse River as it carves a path through ancient rock. These
are beautiful places year-round.

Avalanche Safety: From November through June, please avoid the avalanche slide path clearly
marked on the left bank of Emerald Lake. Do not walk, ski or snowshoe on or below this slide
path. Thank you.

Kicking Horse River

Kicking Horse River
Follow this Canadian Heritage River from its source at Wapta Lake, over the Kicking Horse Pass,
and down to expansive, braided gravel flats near the Village of Field. The river and pass were
named for an incident in which doctor James Hector was kicked by a packhorse while travelling
with the famed Palliser Expedition.

Wapta Falls
Wapta Falls

Location: 52 km west of Lake Louise, AB and 26 km west of Field, B.C off Hwy 1 (map)

At 30 metres (98 feet) high and 150 metres (490 feet) wide, this is the largest waterfall on the
Kicking Horse River. The trail to the falls is a gentle 2.4km (1.5 mile) hike through verdant forest
departing from a trailhead 2 km off the Trans-Canada Highway. Accessible mid-June through
mid-October.

Lake O’Hara
Lake O'Hara
Trailhead: 12 km west of Lake Louise, AB and 13 km east of Field, B.C. on Hwy 1 (map)

A magical world of hanging valleys, jewel lakes, soaring cliffs, and sub-alpine forest trails linked
by an excellent, volunteer-supported trail system. Access to this fragile place is limited through
the summer and demand is high – reservations are required.

Avalanche Safety: In February and March, the road to Lake O’Hara is trackset and offers
excellent skiing all the way to the lake. Use caution as the road crosses Class 1 avalanche terrain.
Beyond the road, avalanche training, skills and equipment (i.e. beacon, probe and shovel) are
required.

Burgess Shale Fossil Beds

Burgess Shale fossil site
Location: Secure locations. Access by guided hike only

These are some of the oldest and most significant fossil beds in the world. They are a crown jewel
in the Canadian Rocky Mountain National Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site and the source of
major scientific discoveries about the evolution of life on earth. Choose from three guided
interpretive hikes (one in Kootenay National Park) or explore the interactive Burgess Shale
exhibits at the Visitor Centre and Emerald Lake. Available late-June through mid-September.

The Burgess Shale fossils are...

Old – Over five hundred million years old! Way older than dinosaurs!

Well preserved – You can see all sorts of really fine details! And not just details of bones like
most fossils, you can also see eyeballs and guts, brains and more!