Monday, January 17, 2011

Lake O'Hara - Yoho National Park



Last weekend, Keith and I enjoyed a fun-filled 3 days at the Elizabeth Parker Hut in Yoho National Park.  The trail head is less than an hour from Banff, just off of the Trans Canada Highway.  It's a fairly gentle 12 km ski in to this historic hut. The Lake O'Hara area is a ridiculously popular area in the summer months, but you'll find it a whole lot quieter in the winter months.  The mountains in this area, seem to explode out of the earth straight into the sky. 


Kind of like this...
And this....

AND this....

Seriously, my neck was sore from all of the rubber-necking I was doing.  The area is stunning and this corner of Yoho National Park is just different from any other place I've been in the National Parks. It's got it's own unique personality.  It's a big world at Lake O'Hara.  Big mountains and big terrain.

It was a cold weekend, but we were lucky enough that it had dropped about 20cm of fresh snow to freshen up the already fresh landscape. The hut was the perfect place to relax on a cold day and we filled it with 12 friends. Between the capacity crowd, the good food and the fire, we had it cooking hot in no time.


Let's Ski There!


The avalanche conditions were running high on this weekend, so we mostly just looked around and went for a little ski.  It's not a place that is famous for ski touring - possibly because the mountains are vertical in almost all directions!  We did manage to make a few turns and had a great day out there.

 Me and Anna



Brenda leads the Posse

Heading back to the Hut

It was a sweet relaxing weekend with good people in an incredible place.  I seriously ate more calories than I burned, and that was the best part of the weekend fun.  I'll be back for some future adventures - it's a location that can't be beat. The Elizabeth Parker Hut and the Lake O'Hara area are pure bliss for anyone who enjoys rugged, beautiful wild places!

11 comments:

Linda Wilder Expressions said...

Leslie,
First I'd like to say what an inspiration you are, with your athletic enhusiasm and love of the out doors! Alas, to be young again. Anyway, I was surfing the net looking for inspiration for a painting and happened apon your blog. You Photos are awesome, and was wondering if I may use a few as reference for my painting. You can see my work at httplindawilderart.com
Thanks so much! Keep running!
Linda Wilder l.wilder@shaw.ca

Carolyn said...

My Aunt spends time every summer at Lake O'Hara since as far back as I remember....although I have never been. These pictures are wonderful, and I am totally jealous! We have had five days of snow here...and I have shoveled over and over and over....I have places in my body that ache from shovelling. Welcome to a real classic Alberta winter! As always, your blog brightens my day Leslie!!
Happy trails to you!

HappyTrails said...

If you are going to do a snow trip, might as well do it right - that looks AWESOME! Hope your neck recovers....

Danni said...

Great pictures. That looks like it was a lot of fun. I always eat more calories than I burn. I'm a survivor like that.

JeffO said...

Gorgeous mountains and snow!! I need to do a hut excursion some day.

Leslie said...

Hi Linda and welcome! Thanks for the comment and the compliment! You sure are a talented lady - so many beautiful paintings of many of my favorite places! Feel free to borrow any photos that you want.

Leslie said...

Hi Carolyn - you need to get yourself to Lake O'Hara. It's busy and you need to book the bus 3 months in advance - but so worth it even for just a day. You poor thing - sounds like you've gotten buried the past week with the white stuff. Here as well, we're glad it's arrived. The ski hills were getting desparate! It's all good now....

Helen said...

Wow - what magic!

Deanna Stoppler said...

Man, I was rubber necking along with you--what great photos!

Leslie said...

Hi Steve and Kathleen! Going with the "embracing all that is winter" attitude. It's a coping strategy until spring arrives!

Hi Danni - yup. I'm also embracing "eating because it's cold outside and it's comforting" oh yeah, and cuz it tastes gooood!

Happy New Year, JeffO! As a lover of all things winter-ish, I'm surprised you haven't hit the Colorado huts! Huts are cheap and cheerful - like me.

Hi Helen - good thoughts to you in Brisbane!

Deanna! I'm sure you're off making your own wintery adventures as we speak. We've taken your mother hostage in Alberta.

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