We started out from Emerald Lake’s trailhead (~1,300m elev.) at 10:15AM under a moody sky, with veiled holes to let in a few hints of light to form glow-patches on the lake. At a quick pace we hiked clock-wise along the lake, crossing the Emerald basin washout at the northern end of the lake. A deer and her fawn were gazing the lush grass on teh avalanche runout above the NW lakeshore. We made a quick drink & snack stop at the bottom of the waterfalls cascading off Michael Peak. The easy trail gradually ascended the remaining 310m (1.9km) to Yoho Pass, with ever widening views of Yoho Lake and Wapta Mountain. Soon we passed the forest into Yoho Pass and Lake. As we enjoyed our lunch at the Lake (~1,815m), a soft rain set in, but it was not cold. Beyond the lake the 2.4km Highline to the Iceline Trail took us to the day’s high-point of ~1,958m elev. This is where a juicy rain set in, eventually clearing to offer a veiled view of the Takakkaw falls. We descended the Iceline trail ~1,100m to the SE, losing ~200m elevation, then picked up the lower nearly flat trail 2.6km back to Yoho Lake Campground, ascending an easy ~96m. We snacked a few tart blueberries on the way. From Yoho Lake Campground we descended back the way we came, into Emerald Lake’s basin. The distance from the campground is only 7km, approx. 515m down. As we descended through Yoho Pass forest, a resounding thunderstorm and blinding lightning echoed amongst the steep mountain faces. As we emerged from the forest, a low sun made the steep limestone face of Michal Peak shine like a dark fragmented mirror. Mount Burgess tried to break through the shards of cloud, Emerald Lake glowing darkly below. We picked our way back across Emerald Basin washout, flooded in many places water rushing down from the recent deluge. We were back at the car at 5:15PM. We quickly dumped our wet packs in the car and proceeded to Emerald Lake Lodge’s casual lounge, where we had a nice dinner next to the fireplace. The pictures below give an impression of the day.
 



Bottom of falls below Michael Peak above Emerald Lk

Climbing above Emerald Lk to Yoho Pass Emerald Lk (1,300m) & Mt Burgess (2,599m summit)

Happy Ramblers at Yoho Lk: Front: Barb, Ron. Back-row Photini, Doug, Cathy, Cornelis.

Rainy Yoho Lk (1,815m) below Wapta Mt (2,773m summit)

Highline (1,959m) onto the Iceline Trail from Yoho Lake - Rain!

Clearing view of Takakkaw Falls, total drops 381m

Cathedral Crags (3,073m) from Yoho Highline

Thunderclouds over Mt Burgess & Emerald Lk

Light on Mt Michael (2,696m) & Waterfall after the thunderstorm

Thunderclouds over Mt Burgess and light playing on Emerald

Drying out and warmth - Emerald Lk Lodge Fireplace

 
Thanks for joining me on this trip, you were a great team! Ron, Cathy, Photini, Barbara and Douglas. Coordinator, Scribe, GPS and pictures, Cornelis.
 
Trip Statistics: Total distance 20.5km - effective Elevation gain ~640m / Total climbs 860m. The “loop” from Yoho Lake to the Iceline Trail and back to the Lake’s campground was 6.6km, total ascent/descent ~262m.