The Iceline Trail
After bidding farewell to Mark and Julianna and William (Adeline was still comatose) we topped up with fuel and headed back up Highway 1 to Lake Louise for coffee and croissants.
The views to the Rockies from the road were stunning on this blue sky morning, with an array of snow capped peaks right across our horizon.
Leaving Lake Louise we spotted two girls in need of a lift, so obliged by transporting them up to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park. The two Czechs were most grateful. Petra and Tereza were setting out to camp at Yoho Lake. We were envious. Tereza is involved in outdoor activities at www.adventure-menu.com. Good luck to you both, it was lovely to meet you.
The falls weren't in spate this time, but by the time we started out up to the Iceline Trail we could feel spots of rain by way of a reminder of our previous visit.
The colour has gone from the landscape around here. The fireweed has faded and the trees sport a dark green uniform. The only 'colour' is provided by a few patches of soft, bright snow. The river shows signs of brightness, the former putty grey colour having been replaced by an icy blue.
There were just a few people around. As we reached the high point of the trail we encountered a family that appeared to be a mixture of Canadians and Australians. One of the Canadians claimed to have been in Porlock last week!
Sue takes over from (before) here:
"The Falls were completely different to our last visit, just a mere ribbon of water down the steep cliff, so we didn't linger but sought the path to the Iceline trail that started at the Whisky Jack hostel.
The path zigzagged upwards through pine trees, with views of the falls as they gradually appeared smaller, so that by lunch, they were below us and views of the Daly glacier, from which the water arises, were growing.
The path ascended gradually, onto moraine and rock from the dwindling glaciers hanging above. There were quite a few people out but certainly not crowds. Cloud hung just below the tops so the views weren't stunning but they were better than on our previous, wet, visit.
The ascent of 690m takes you to a high point from where the Little Yoho Valley and small tarns can be seen. After a chat with folk going into the ACC hut (Martin's report hands over here), we turned around, to retrace our route. This would give us better views than descending into the trees.
By 4.30pm we were back at the car, with a continuing journey to Revelstoke, where accommodation was booked. The 2 hour 45 minute journey was made tedious due to numerous sections of road works where the speed limit was 50kph*, and it was all rather grey. We passed through Golden, and over the 1330m Roger's Pass, putting the time back an hour as we left MDT (Mountain Daylight Time), to arrive at the Cube Boutique Hotel at 6.45pm.
Dinner at the Village Idiot Bar and Grill was excellent - best burger of the trip, and a pint of tasty lager, sharing a table with a couple from Calgary."
The pictures:
1 - Mark and Julianna
2 - Castle Mountain, from Highway 1 between Banff and Lake Louise
3 - The Takakkaw Falls
4 - Lunch
5, 6 and 7 - on the Iceline Trail
8 - The Takakkaw red chairs
9 - The Cube (Boutique hotel!)
15 km with 700 metres ascent in 4.5 hours. About 430 km for Charlie.
* The juggernauts didn't seem to recognise this. They blighted a journey that the guide book alleged was scenic, but it was dominated by overbearing lorries, drab greys and dark greens, and very little by way of views. M
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