HIking Canada 2023: Last Day at O'Hara

July 21st, 2023, was our last day at Lake O'Hara. We had signed up for the 4:00pm bus, so Joan and I had time to take one last hike. When we need a quick return, we often choose the Opabin Plateau. This day we climbed to the plateau from the west, the route more scenic and more likely to provide wildlife sightings.

The rocky slopes often hold pikas or marmots.

And today we did see a pika on the way up. We took the trail to the prospect at the next intersection, which is always a treat. (Click on any image to enlarge.)

Continuing from the prospect, Joan and I reached the "hidden" stairs from the heights down to the Cascade Lakes. They're "hidden" from this direction because the hiker must step down through apparently meaningless gaps in the rock formation. This year, stones lined the true path.

Looking back from here revealed the Cascade Lakes.

This panoramic sweep reveals, starting at the left, the Cascade Lakes, the Opabin Highline, and, in the far distance, the Opabin glacier.

We took the low circuit and soon stared at this rocky ridge, a glacial deposit that hides Lake Opabin.

Climbing up the west path, we reached the lake.

Joan and I settled down for first lunch. Dark clouds gathering in the south had us wondering about rain, but fortunately they passed us by. A few mosquitoes visited us, an event we rarely encounter at O'Hara. Our view during lunch:

Here's a closeup of the glacial patch that remains.

Not much, eh?

We began returning along the Highline, which offered many views, including the "hidden stairs" formation.

From here we could see, through binoculars, hikers at All Souls Prospect. (Click on any image to enlarge).

This was the beginning of the descent on the West Opabin trail.

Near the bottom, we encountered a man looking for the rest of his family, including a young girl -- had we seen them? Joan and I had no information to offer.

At the bottom, I proposed an extension before returning to the lodge for tea-time. We hiked around the O'Hara lake shore to the East Opabin trailhead; it was a longer (more time-consuming) jaunt than I expected, and the bench was already taken. Despite my poor choice, there was still time to relax at the lodge before taking the bus down 11 km to the parking area.

From there, we drove to Moraine Lake. The hordes bound for Moraine have forced Parks Canada to ban private vehicles on the narrow 12-km approach road, except for bicycles. Commercial and shuttle buses now dominate the parking area. However, guests at the lodge can drive their own car up ... yippee! After dinner we collapsed, as our "lesser activity" day had been packed.