CR2015: Lake O'Hara, Part 1

We hied ourselves to the Lake O'Hara parking area, just off the TransCanada, early on July 24th. I needed a few extra minutes to find a decent parking spot.

The lodge bus maneuvered up the 11 km of fire road and pulled up to the lodge.

Joan and I checked in and picked up our trail lunches. The cabins wouldn't be ready until after 1pm, so we set off for Lake Oesa, a popular destination compatible with having a late start and needing to unpack before dinner.

We started clockwise around the Lakeshore Trail. Here's the view looking south from the benches in front of the warden's cabin.

The trail to Oesa splits from the Lakeshore Trail in just under a kilometer. We had gone just a few steps up the Oesa trail, still with a good view of the lakeshore, when we thought we heard familiar voices. Some folks go to Lake O'Hara the same time every year ... Joan and I scanned the Lakeshore Trail ... it was Jim and Gabby, approaching the intersection! We had been at O'Hara simultaneously a couple of times before, starting with meeting Gabby on the steep climb to Wiwaxy Gap. We paused and called out, and they recognized us by the pigs on the outside of our daypacks. They were headed to Oesa too, and we joined forces.

Lake O'Hara opens up even after the first short climb on the way to Oesa.

After the first big altitude gain the Oesa trail climbs more gradually, winding through several boulder fields separated by tongues of conifer woods. Looking back:

The latter part of the trail must cross several rock faces, some by swinging to the far (left going up) side of the valley, and some by neatly constructed rock stairways built by the legendary Lawrence Grassi.

The rock faces, now walked past so easily, are imposing.

Smaller lakes entertain you on the way. This is Victoria Lake, which is also the terminus/origin of a bypass trail connecting to the Yukness Ledges trail, offering a shorter route across Yukness than through Oesa.

After climbing a bit more, and passing one more small lake, we entered the broad expanse in front of Lake Oesa and found a lunch spot. Today was overcast and chilly, especially at 7400 feet with a light breeze.

Here are Gabby, Jim, and Joan, left to right.

We returned the way we had come, but on reaching the Lakeshore Trail Joan and I continued clockwise and Jim and Gabby continued counter-clockwise. Near the end of our loop, I took this picture including the docks at the lodge.

Then it was time to go to our cabin and unpack.