CR2016: Lake Oesa via Victoria Lake Cutoff

The next day was introduced by bright sunshine. A short drive up Kicking Horse Pass took us to the Lake O'Hara parking area and bus stop. The fire road up to Lake O'Hara is forbidden to private vehicles, including bicycles; only the Parks Canada buses and the Lake O'Hara Lodge bus are allowed.

Bilingual signs at the bus stop shelter.

The lodge bus arrived and disgorged the departing guests and their luggage, then Joan and I joined the group headed up. We passed a surprising number of hikers walking the 11 km to Lake O'Hara.

We checked in at the office, grabbed our trail lunches, and set off for Lake Oesa, always a good introduction to Lake O'Hara hiking. The Oesa trail split off from the the lakeside trail, at 7,000' altitude, and after several switchbacks that tested our legs began a more gradual climb that includes several boulder fields.

The trail passed by Yukness Lake, the first of several small lakes that precede Lake Oesa.

When the trail approached the gap between the Yukness and Huber ledges there were rock faces to tackle, but with steps,

courtesy of the legendary Lawrence Grassi.

A closeup of the plaque.

Soon we encountered a waterfall, the outflow from Victoria Lake (and ultimately of Lake Oesa).

Around the corner we stopped to observe a young raven bathing in a small pool. It ultimately flew off to a bluff on the other side of the stream, where it made an embarrassingly awkward landing.

There were plenty of flowers to observe; late July is late spring up here, "up" encompassing both latitude (51.35° N) and altitude (Lake Oesa is at 7438'). Joan and I saw beard's tongue, alpine mountainsorrel, fleabane, butterwort, and purple asters along this trail.

We decided to make a small loop from this point, rather than go directly to Lake Oesa. There is a cutoff trail that crosses in front of Victoria Lake and climbs up to join the Yukness Ledges trail. This map shows the loop we made.

First we gazed awhile at Victoria Lake.

Across the stream we went on stepping stones, then along a rock slab.

On the far side we had to climb among the boulders cast down by Yukness.

We could look out towards the Yukness Ledges,

and back down to Victoria Lake.

We reached the Yukness Ledges trail, and

turned towards Lake Oesa. We clambered up rock faces and through gaps between boulders, following the alpine blazes (two yellow stripes on a blue field). In this photo we're about to crest,

followed by our first glimpse of Lake Oesa.

Joan and I continued south towards Oesa. One more satellite lake, Lake Lefroy, appeared on our left. Lake Oesa is just behind that last bluff.

There were a few trailside chats along the way.

We reached Lake Oesa. Its wide expanse and rock slabs make it a favorite lunch stop. The small figures, center, provide a sense of scale. (Click on the image to enlarge.)

Joan and I were observed by gray-crowned rosy finches as we ate.

Clouds began to return, but our hike back to cabin #9 was pleasant and uneventful. Flowers hung from a basket on the porch.

 Our pig companions for this trip, Margie and Rita, immediately headed for a front window.

Time to clean up and head for dinner! Tomorrow, Lake McArthur.