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Iceline Trail/Yoho National Park.

One of my favorite hikes in the Area and one of the best in the Canadian Rockies is the Iceline Trail in Yoho. The trail head is about a 30 minute drive from Vagabond Lodge at the Whiskey Jack Hostel near Takakkaw Falls. Most people do it in one day which is probably a 9 hour hike. Not sure if you can really enjoy it to the full extent if you try and do it in one day. The best is to go the first day into Little Yoho and either camp or stay at the Alpine Club of Canada's cabin. And then the next day, hike down through twin falls and the Whaleback trail. Fabulous. Our son Kori and his fiance did the hike earlier this summer and I put a video together for them. It will give you a good idea of what to expect. If you have a bucket list, this is one to put on it. I have done it about 5 or 6 times and never tire of the scenery.

Valenciennes Canyon/Kinbasket Lake

This are is one of the most spectacular areas, I have seen in the area. Kinbasket Lake as we know it now, was formed in 1973 when the Columbia River was dammed up at Mica and the lake is enourmous. The lake is about an hour drive(46 KM) off Highway#1. Very few people in the area where at one time, there were a number of small towns and the major road through the Rockies, "Big Bend Highway" used to go through here prior to the building of the Rogers Pass. Now it is a no-man's land or virtually. We ended up at the end of one of the arms of the lake and then hiked into Valenciennes Canyon which is spectacular. A person could spend all summer exporing this area with numours hikes. I am definitely going back.

Kicking Horse Resort- Teminator Ridge

This hike has been around for awhile. But the resort has built a wide trail this summer into what is known as "Super-Bowl" which will be a new addition this coming winter to the ski terrain at the Resort. The hike is easy and for the most part pretty flat. Takes about 20 minutes to get to the opening of the Bowl. You can also continue to the top of the next peak called "T2" along a narrow trail and then a scramble up to the top. The views on a clear day are outstanding.

Gorman Lake Hike

This is a nice one not far from Golden and Vagabond Lodge. It is about a 45 minute drive down a forestry road. Distance wise, not far away, but you have to go pretty slow because of the road condition. Some ruts and rocks but if you take it easy, not problem. And then it is about a 45 minute hike to this beautiful lake. There is a little campsite and picnic area. And take your rod if you are a fisherman, and license. There are a lot of trout in the lake. One of the many hidden gems in the area.

Takakkaw Falls/Laughing Falls- Yoho National Park

Takakkaw Falls is in the Yoho Valley in Yoho National Park, about 45 minutes from Golden BC. Truly one of the most spectacular spots in the Rockies. From here you can access some of the best hikes anywhere, including the "Iceline Trail", "Whaleback" "Yoho Lake" and more.

Thompson Falls

Thompson Falls is in the Blaeberry Valley, about 45 minutes down a logging road from Golden BC. It's a little tricky to find but well worth the effort. You need to be very carefully walking around the falls as there are no fences or railings. This is a pretty rustic area of the Rockies. You can camp right by the river with the only sound; the river. This is truly a spectacular part of the world. From here, you can go on another hour to the staging area for a hike into Mummery Glacier which is part of the Columbia Ice Field. More details on how to get here can be found on www.goldenhikes.ca

Mummery Glacier

Mummery Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefields in the Canadian Rockies. This hike was from the Golden BC side of the Icefields and is a fabulous spot in the world. It involved a 2 hour drive down a pretty rough forestry road down the Blaeberry Valley, and then a 30 minute hike to the creek below the glacier. You can go from here up to the bottom of the glacier. This is a pretty rugged part of the Rockies so be prepared for extra time. You can find details of how to get here on www.goldenhikes.ca This is one of my favorites. Next time I will give myself a couple of extra hours to explore the area. If you want seclusion, this is a great spot. No traffic, virtually no other hikers except for the locals.

Kicking Horse South Ridge Hike

There are some great hikes around Vagabond Lodge and Kicking Horse. Most people go to Yoho National Park which is a short drive away. But one of the best I have been on, was at the top of the Kicking Horse Resort. You take the Gondola to the top and then head south on the ridge and then follow a trail below the ridge into the top of Super Bowl(you can hike in and ski in the winter) and then continue for another 20 minutes to the top of what is known as "T2". It is an awesome hike with views that are unparalleled in the area and their is very little grunt-work involved. Then you can make your way back to the Eagle's Eye Restaurant and sit on the patio with a cold beer. Life is good. Trail needs major work at the end though. The last 10 minutes is basically a scramble up a dirt and rock slope. Take walking sticks and wear good boots. And if you have vertigo, not a good idea.

Wapta Falls- Yoho National Park

There are some great hikes in the Golden BC area near Vagabond Lodge at Kicking Horse. Wapta Falls is about a 20 minute drive from Golden, just inside Yoho National Park. The falls is about a 30 minute easy walk and is very nice. Not much up and down but the falls are quite spectacular. Kori, Elaine and Emily went there earlier this summer to check it out. If you are looking for an easy hike, with a low "Grunt Factor" this is it, especially in July or June when the water is at its hight. Very Nice.

Lake O'Hara- Yoho National Park

One of the great Hiking Spots in the Canadian Rockies is Lake O'Hara. The Parks are trying to restrict the number of people who use the area because it is so fragile. You can hike in about 11 km or take a bus. The bus trip is usually sold out months in advance but we were lucky to land a couple of tickets from some friends recently. From Lake O'Hara there are a number of big-time hikes you can go on. We did nice 4 hour trip to McArthur Lake above Lake O'Hara and it was spectacular. The staging area is about 45 from Vagabond Lodge. Here is video of that hike.

Burgess Pass.

One of the great Hikes in the Canadian Rockies is Burgess Trail located in Yoho National Park. It is breath-taking and takes you high above Emerald Lake which is about 45 minutes from Vagabond Lodge at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. The trail crosses below the Burgess Shale at one point; a protected area only accessible with a National Parks Guide. The fossils imbedded in the shale prove, the area at one time was at the bottom of an large sea. Paths are very well marked. You also have an option of going over the pass into Yoho Valley. Great hike too, if you have someone to take you back to your car or you can go down a slightly different route into Field rather than Emerald Lake. I have done them both and both are great hikes.

There are some Great Hikes at Kicking Horse. One is the south ridge. The trail isn't that well marked to start with. You just take the road off the top, after you take the Gondola to the top of the mountain. Once you are on the flats, you will see the trail taking off to the left and away you go. The views are breath-taking. I basically go until the trail deteriorates. I suspect it is a animal trail originally. Once you can't go any further, I basically go straight up to the top of the ridge. Takes about 30 minutes on small rocks and moss. And once you are on the top you can follow the ridge back to the top of the Gondola. This route probably takes about 2-3 hours. If you want you can also follow the ridge to Gorman Lake where you should have someone pick you up or if you get a car left there is even better. I understand you can also access Holt's Lakes too which are spectacular. The best part is, the Gondola Ride gets rid of the grunt factor and if the restaurant is open when you get back you can sit on the patio and have a beer before taking the Gondola back down.

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