Lake O' Hara
Lake O' Hara
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- Teazle4456 contributionsOh for a seat on the bus!One of the main aims of our trip to Canada was to visit Lake O’Hara, despite not securing a room at the lodge or a seat on the bus we set off on foot early one morning to hike the 11km’s in, a 61 year old with a pacemaker and a 55 year old with 2 replacement hips, two and a half hours later gentle uphill walking we were sitting with a coffee and delicious carrot cake. The 11km we hiked round the lake, up to opabin plateau and down was beyond spectacular, one of the greatest walks we have ever done. Please don’t presume you will get the bus back out as we had been assured by various people, we waited for the 14.30 bus out and there was no space for us, not going to lie heart sank, we could of waited for 16.00 bus, but risk of no space on bus at that time was not an option, so we hiked the 11km’s out. Having hiked 33km’s feel like we had the full Lake O’Hara experience and would love to go back to spend more time there, a magical place.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 30, 2023
- illinoisexplore210 contributionsAfternoon Hike to Lake McArthurThe Lake O'Hara region is the best area in Yoho National Park and Yoho is the best national park in the Canadian Rockies in my opinion. I managed to get a camping permit despite 15,000 users in the queue ahead of me. Not sure how that happened. The 2023 reservation system was better than the "call repeatedly for two days" system I used nine years ago. All of the trails here are beautiful and uncrowded. It's tough to choose a favorite, but I think I like Lake McArthur the best.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 15, 2023
- Getaway521868725231 contributionworth the 22Km walkI only realized that this lake needs shuttle reservation one week before my trip. Unlike Lake Louise or Moraine, this place's reservations has been gone for the whole summer several months ago and there's no Last-Minute ticket offered, when I called the park reservation online and inquired about how to get there without shuttle service, the service lady politely suggested I could walk the 11 Km path to Lake O'hara. hmm, ok, I'm fit and can handle that. So on my last day of stay at Canadian rockies (July 8, 2024), I headed to Lake O'hara parking lot off Hwy 1. my family member won't make it so she waited for me at the trail head. It took me 2hr 20 mins to walk 11km to reach the lake, along the way, I encountered a man, a woman heading out. I was also warned by the park ranger in pickup truck along the way there's a grizzly bear near 4km marker. I didn't see any bear though. the lake itself is spectacular, very quiet and has amazing views. I spent 50 mins at the lake exploring and taking pictures, when I started heading downhill, a shuttle arrived, since I don't have shuttle reservation, I walked down the trail and it took a bit over 2 hrs. all in all, it's worth it. but make reservation if you can. otherwise, just walk it up if you're fit, plan for 4 to 5 hrs though for the 22-Km walk.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 11, 2024
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S. C.
2 contributions
Jul 2019
According to the Yoho National Park official website, the Lake ohara bus lottery is to "... help to ensure all online users have a chance at securing a reservation for a seat on the Lake O’Hara bus.".
On the contrary, parks canada allows one can submit multiple applications for the day use Lake O'Hara bus lottery. That means a rich individual can submit as many applications (paying $$$$ for the applications only) as possible to increase his chance to win. So this is basically pay-to-win system that ensures all rich online users have a chance at securing the seat.
On the contrary, parks canada allows one can submit multiple applications for the day use Lake O'Hara bus lottery. That means a rich individual can submit as many applications (paying $$$$ for the applications only) as possible to increase his chance to win. So this is basically pay-to-win system that ensures all rich online users have a chance at securing the seat.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marina Poushkina
1 contribution
Sep 2021
The O’Hara area is gorgeous, but the staff is terrible. Two female officers checking people’s reservations completely ruined our little vacation by unprofessional arrogant attitude towards campers. They behave as though the campground is their own private residence and they give alms to the beggars instead of serving people and trying to accommodate their needs.
The blond curly one and the châtaine, Sofi (?), are very rude, arrogant, and unprofessional.
My husband and I, people in our 50s, my husband is a world-renowned professor, we felt like prisoners in front of the correction officers.
All together, the situation resulted with us not boarding the bus (we had reservations, booked and paid campsite), ruined vacation and health damage (my husband had a precondition and it gets worse after such “nice” communication and I got distress, high blood pressure and so on).
The blond curly one and the châtaine, Sofi (?), are very rude, arrogant, and unprofessional.
My husband and I, people in our 50s, my husband is a world-renowned professor, we felt like prisoners in front of the correction officers.
All together, the situation resulted with us not boarding the bus (we had reservations, booked and paid campsite), ruined vacation and health damage (my husband had a precondition and it gets worse after such “nice” communication and I got distress, high blood pressure and so on).
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getaway52186872523
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
I only realized that this lake needs shuttle reservation one week before my trip. Unlike Lake Louise or Moraine, this place's reservations has been gone for the whole summer several months ago and there's no Last-Minute ticket offered, when I called the park reservation online and inquired about how to get there without shuttle service, the service lady politely suggested I could walk the 11 Km path to Lake O'hara. hmm, ok, I'm fit and can handle that.
So on my last day of stay at Canadian rockies (July 8, 2024), I headed to Lake O'hara parking lot off Hwy 1. my family member won't make it so she waited for me at the trail head. It took me 2hr 20 mins to walk 11km to reach the lake, along the way, I encountered a man, a woman heading out. I was also warned by the park ranger in pickup truck along the way there's a grizzly bear near 4km marker. I didn't see any bear though. the lake itself is spectacular, very quiet and has amazing views. I spent 50 mins at the lake exploring and taking pictures, when I started heading downhill, a shuttle arrived, since I don't have shuttle reservation, I walked down the trail and it took a bit over 2 hrs.
all in all, it's worth it. but make reservation if you can. otherwise, just walk it up if you're fit, plan for 4 to 5 hrs though for the 22-Km walk.
So on my last day of stay at Canadian rockies (July 8, 2024), I headed to Lake O'hara parking lot off Hwy 1. my family member won't make it so she waited for me at the trail head. It took me 2hr 20 mins to walk 11km to reach the lake, along the way, I encountered a man, a woman heading out. I was also warned by the park ranger in pickup truck along the way there's a grizzly bear near 4km marker. I didn't see any bear though. the lake itself is spectacular, very quiet and has amazing views. I spent 50 mins at the lake exploring and taking pictures, when I started heading downhill, a shuttle arrived, since I don't have shuttle reservation, I walked down the trail and it took a bit over 2 hrs.
all in all, it's worth it. but make reservation if you can. otherwise, just walk it up if you're fit, plan for 4 to 5 hrs though for the 22-Km walk.
Written July 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad C
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
The location was excellent very beautiful hence the three stars. However;
My wife has been fortunate to have been their a few times. Unfortunately Canada Parks employees have taken it upon themselves to ruin peoples experiences. The first time their were 2 small tents on one pad. They fit well with no issues. A Canada Parks employee came up and was extremely upset that we would do this, threatening the group to put them in a "corner of shame" and loudly chastising the group. Despite the practice being widely used in Western Canada and no information online at all saying this was not permitted.
We then asked for specifics for next time and she said as long as their is one tent on a pad and it fits in the pad. So we bought a tent with a divider so that two couple's could sleep in it with privacy. The second trip went off no problem with that tent.
The third time however a Parks Canada employee gave us a notice saying our tent was too big. We explained that the last Parks employee told us that as long as it fit the pad which it did it was ok. And that we were here the second time with no issue with this tent. She said No that's wrong and continued to again chastise us like we were criminals. Threatening us that if we were here any longer then one day she would force us to tear our tent down and take a loaner.
I wouldn't even bother to call and ask about anything because it seems that each employee establishes their own version of the non written not explained rules. Canada parks employees will do good to remember that they aren't just ambassadors to the park but to the nation as a whole and their behavior should reflect as much.
My wife has been fortunate to have been their a few times. Unfortunately Canada Parks employees have taken it upon themselves to ruin peoples experiences. The first time their were 2 small tents on one pad. They fit well with no issues. A Canada Parks employee came up and was extremely upset that we would do this, threatening the group to put them in a "corner of shame" and loudly chastising the group. Despite the practice being widely used in Western Canada and no information online at all saying this was not permitted.
We then asked for specifics for next time and she said as long as their is one tent on a pad and it fits in the pad. So we bought a tent with a divider so that two couple's could sleep in it with privacy. The second trip went off no problem with that tent.
The third time however a Parks Canada employee gave us a notice saying our tent was too big. We explained that the last Parks employee told us that as long as it fit the pad which it did it was ok. And that we were here the second time with no issue with this tent. She said No that's wrong and continued to again chastise us like we were criminals. Threatening us that if we were here any longer then one day she would force us to tear our tent down and take a loaner.
I wouldn't even bother to call and ask about anything because it seems that each employee establishes their own version of the non written not explained rules. Canada parks employees will do good to remember that they aren't just ambassadors to the park but to the nation as a whole and their behavior should reflect as much.
Written August 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ha P
Ontario, Canada947 contributions
Aug 2020
Originally I was planning to ride to Emerald Lake but when I passed by the sign of Lake O’Hara on highway 1, I decided to turn in and check out the park. When I saw the sign of walking 11km in and another 11km walking out I was debating if I wanted to do it. I was glad I did the walk. It was easy just a long walk. The view was worth it. It was cloudy and breezy so it was a perfect condition for hiking. Just layer up. I didn’t do the circuit since I still had to bike back.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CuriousTraveler251
Boston, MA32 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
So, we are pretty careful planners but somehow missed the fact that you have to book a reservation on the bus up the 11km (6.8 mile) road to Lake O'Hara. Subsequently, we spent two of our vacation days debating whether to walk up the road or just skip the whole thing altogether (eg, "will it be worth it?") given we were told by the official Parks Canada reservation system that we definitely couldn't get the bus back down to the parking lot if we walked in (contrary to what we'd read online), which would therefore add a total 14 miles to what was supposed to be a nice 7 mile or so hike. The pictures looked great but we were thinking "we've seen lots of lakes in the Canadian Rockies so far; is this really with it?"
I'm posting this in hopes that others don't have such a debate. Bottom line, to us It was worth the walk up, which really is not bad. It is all of the 11km and a gentle 500 or so of elevation gain (over a long distance!) but not a very taxing walk except in its length. It took us a little under two hours. It is lined by evergreens but you can still see some great snow capped mountains looking up. On our trip overall to the area of the Canadian Rockies, we had been to many of the other lakes and several hikes within the Icefields Parkway area and beyond, and definitely thought our Lake O'Hara day was the best. If you're willing to spend a nice, pretty full, day walking, it will be fine.
That said, you can definitely take the bus down from the lake to the parking lot even if you didn't get a reservation to take it up. (Despite what the official Parks Canada people say on the reservation line!) We took the bus down and it made for a great compromise. Getting a seat is somewhat dependent on how many people with reservations ("tokens") are planning to take that particular bus (eg at 230, 430, etc) but we went in mid-sept at a time when all reservations for the up going bus were booked, and I think relatively at the height of fall foliage/colors season, and we EASILY got a seat on the 230 down bus. It doesn't seem to be a problem to get on the bus without a reservation and they actually expect it (the bus driver said "I'll collect tokens and/or cash.") It is $10 Canadian and they collect it on the bus. We did not feel like it would have been a huge hardship to walk down, however, so if on the off chance you don't get to take the bus down, I wouldn't worry too much.
We started on the Lake O'Hara circuit trail veering off to the left from the area where the resort is, then headed up the Lake Oesa Trail, then took the Yukness Ledges Alpine Ridge trail across over to the West Opabin, which leads back down to Lake Ohara, and that took about four hours and every part was absolutely spectacular and varied in its own way.
The verdict: if you can't get on the bus and you'd like to see Lake O'Hara and the surrounding hikes, just do it. It's not that hard and you will be able to get the bus for the down trip.
I'm posting this in hopes that others don't have such a debate. Bottom line, to us It was worth the walk up, which really is not bad. It is all of the 11km and a gentle 500 or so of elevation gain (over a long distance!) but not a very taxing walk except in its length. It took us a little under two hours. It is lined by evergreens but you can still see some great snow capped mountains looking up. On our trip overall to the area of the Canadian Rockies, we had been to many of the other lakes and several hikes within the Icefields Parkway area and beyond, and definitely thought our Lake O'Hara day was the best. If you're willing to spend a nice, pretty full, day walking, it will be fine.
That said, you can definitely take the bus down from the lake to the parking lot even if you didn't get a reservation to take it up. (Despite what the official Parks Canada people say on the reservation line!) We took the bus down and it made for a great compromise. Getting a seat is somewhat dependent on how many people with reservations ("tokens") are planning to take that particular bus (eg at 230, 430, etc) but we went in mid-sept at a time when all reservations for the up going bus were booked, and I think relatively at the height of fall foliage/colors season, and we EASILY got a seat on the 230 down bus. It doesn't seem to be a problem to get on the bus without a reservation and they actually expect it (the bus driver said "I'll collect tokens and/or cash.") It is $10 Canadian and they collect it on the bus. We did not feel like it would have been a huge hardship to walk down, however, so if on the off chance you don't get to take the bus down, I wouldn't worry too much.
We started on the Lake O'Hara circuit trail veering off to the left from the area where the resort is, then headed up the Lake Oesa Trail, then took the Yukness Ledges Alpine Ridge trail across over to the West Opabin, which leads back down to Lake Ohara, and that took about four hours and every part was absolutely spectacular and varied in its own way.
The verdict: if you can't get on the bus and you'd like to see Lake O'Hara and the surrounding hikes, just do it. It's not that hard and you will be able to get the bus for the down trip.
Written September 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stev151rum
Auburndale, FL5 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Your bus reservation service for lake O'hara was the worst this year. I have ten days in August to choose from. Nothing! At 7:20am eastern, the entire summer was gone. Wow! I love the Canada National Park system and your help that you give. But, this has left me with a very unsavory taste in my mouth. Wish I could say Thank you, but I can not.
Written May 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian G
Greenock, UK226 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
I've you've come this far you probably know all about how to get tickets for the bus to visit Lake O'Hara, but if not here is a link that will allow you to find all the information you need:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/yoho/natcul/ohara/visit.aspx
What I struggled to find on the forum and also from a variety of websites, maps, and trail guides was if it was possible for the average hiker to complete the Lake O'Hara Alpine Circuit and also hike over to Lake McArthur in the one day. Here is how I done it...
Get yourself on the 8.30 bus. you will arrive at the Le Relais shelter next to Lake O'Hara by 9am. From here head clockwise around the lake and begin to hike up the steep section which leads to Wixwaxy Gap. This is the most physically demanding section but produces an incredible viewpoint of Lake O'Hara - take your time, plenty of water, some rest stops and LOTS of photographs and you'll be there in around an hour. Now the hardest part is over. From here follow the alpine circuit (the blue square with the 2 vertical yellow lines) gradually downhill across the Huber Ledges until you reach Lake Oesa. From here follow the Yukness Ledges route around until you reach Opabin Lake. From there you can head up All Soul's Prospect and complete the Alpine Circuit. In good weather conditions (high visibility, no snow on the trail) the Huber and Yukness ledges should pose absolutely no difficulty to any hiker unless they suffer from extreme vertigo. The climb up All Soul's is a little more tetchy but if you watch your footing again it is fine even for someone with limited/no scrambling experience.
The route from the shore of Lake O'Hara up and all the away around to All Soul's took my partner and I a fraction under 6 hours. This included a quick rest stop after the climb to Wixwaxy, time for a snack at Lake Oesa, Lunch at Opabin Lake, and 100 or so photo stops along the way! We are averaged pace hikers. You can then descend from All Soul's towards Schaffer Lake. At this point you are faced with a variety of options. One is to continue down towards Lake O'Hara but I would thoroughly recommend taking the highline to Lake McArthur instead. This adds maybe a further 1-1.5hours onto your total trip time and is most definitely worth the added effort!
Setting off at 9.15am this route was probably close to 14km was back at the Lake O'Hara show for 4.30pm, a full 2 hours before the last bus left for those with a day ticket. If you can spend more than one day here by all means do so, you could spend 2 weeks here and never get bored. But if you only have one day, this if DEFINITELY the route to take!
Here is a (quite long) trip report I wrote in case you want to read up in a little more detail. I've been on hiking trips in various countries around the world and this is hands down the finest day hike I have ever had the pleasure of doing.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g659487-i11598-k7710283-Trip_Report_Spending_the_day_at_Lake_O_Hara-Canadian_Rockies_Alberta.html
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/yoho/natcul/ohara/visit.aspx
What I struggled to find on the forum and also from a variety of websites, maps, and trail guides was if it was possible for the average hiker to complete the Lake O'Hara Alpine Circuit and also hike over to Lake McArthur in the one day. Here is how I done it...
Get yourself on the 8.30 bus. you will arrive at the Le Relais shelter next to Lake O'Hara by 9am. From here head clockwise around the lake and begin to hike up the steep section which leads to Wixwaxy Gap. This is the most physically demanding section but produces an incredible viewpoint of Lake O'Hara - take your time, plenty of water, some rest stops and LOTS of photographs and you'll be there in around an hour. Now the hardest part is over. From here follow the alpine circuit (the blue square with the 2 vertical yellow lines) gradually downhill across the Huber Ledges until you reach Lake Oesa. From here follow the Yukness Ledges route around until you reach Opabin Lake. From there you can head up All Soul's Prospect and complete the Alpine Circuit. In good weather conditions (high visibility, no snow on the trail) the Huber and Yukness ledges should pose absolutely no difficulty to any hiker unless they suffer from extreme vertigo. The climb up All Soul's is a little more tetchy but if you watch your footing again it is fine even for someone with limited/no scrambling experience.
The route from the shore of Lake O'Hara up and all the away around to All Soul's took my partner and I a fraction under 6 hours. This included a quick rest stop after the climb to Wixwaxy, time for a snack at Lake Oesa, Lunch at Opabin Lake, and 100 or so photo stops along the way! We are averaged pace hikers. You can then descend from All Soul's towards Schaffer Lake. At this point you are faced with a variety of options. One is to continue down towards Lake O'Hara but I would thoroughly recommend taking the highline to Lake McArthur instead. This adds maybe a further 1-1.5hours onto your total trip time and is most definitely worth the added effort!
Setting off at 9.15am this route was probably close to 14km was back at the Lake O'Hara show for 4.30pm, a full 2 hours before the last bus left for those with a day ticket. If you can spend more than one day here by all means do so, you could spend 2 weeks here and never get bored. But if you only have one day, this if DEFINITELY the route to take!
Here is a (quite long) trip report I wrote in case you want to read up in a little more detail. I've been on hiking trips in various countries around the world and this is hands down the finest day hike I have ever had the pleasure of doing.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g659487-i11598-k7710283-Trip_Report_Spending_the_day_at_Lake_O_Hara-Canadian_Rockies_Alberta.html
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jollyshandy
Singapore, Singapore428 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
I had no luck with the bus ticket as I only knew about this place in May, ticket would have been all snapped up within first 10 minutes of bookings opened. I waited in the shelter starting 630am, hoping cancellation will land me a ticket but no luck, 0 calcellatoin that day. Together with 4 others, we gritted our teeth and walked for 2hours 15 minutes, 11km gradual uphill walk into the lake. It was ALL WORTH IT. OMG this place is truly a gem. I hiked to the prospect for a good view and there was still snow/ice on the trail in last week of June. The view was beautiful. My new found friends who walked in together tried the Lake Oesa trail and found that the lake was still frozen, what a view?! We were all amazed by the trails and views we saw. Handsdown number 1 hiking paradise in Yoho/Banff area in my opinion. We had hot chocolate in the park office area and it was a good treat after long hike. I bought postcards too. A shame that i forgot to get my passport stamped using the park office stamp. There were 2 buses for 430pm so as to cater to the many people who want to get out of the park. Last bus is at 630pm. 230pm bus was for those who dont even to do long hike. The bus ride was 20 minutes.
There were pictures that you wont be able to capture if you took the bus in, like the beautiful lake reflection along the way, which we saw.
The gentleman that manage the bus ticket at the beginning of the trail was not the most encouraging chap you will meet. I am ok that no cancellation and hence no bus ticket for me. He added a comment "I will go hike somewhere else if I were you, but thats just me." which i thought was totally unnecessary for a poor guy who stood there since 630am and waited till 745am just to get a disappointment. It totally broke my spirit. Lucky the few fellow hikers who willing to walked with me into the park lifted my spirit. The other park ranger (lady) was totally friendly. Lesson learnt: never use those words on other people especially when people are on their low.
There were pictures that you wont be able to capture if you took the bus in, like the beautiful lake reflection along the way, which we saw.
The gentleman that manage the bus ticket at the beginning of the trail was not the most encouraging chap you will meet. I am ok that no cancellation and hence no bus ticket for me. He added a comment "I will go hike somewhere else if I were you, but thats just me." which i thought was totally unnecessary for a poor guy who stood there since 630am and waited till 745am just to get a disappointment. It totally broke my spirit. Lucky the few fellow hikers who willing to walked with me into the park lifted my spirit. The other park ranger (lady) was totally friendly. Lesson learnt: never use those words on other people especially when people are on their low.
Written July 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
idesbald d
oosterzele205 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
This is one of our best experiences of our 4 weeks trip in the rockies. Becoming a ticket ( not 60 $ for four) to have acces at the lake o'hara in the Yoho NP is not easy. The only way to get there is a bus reservation 3 months in advance. Only a very limited number of day trippers can book this bus trip. So if you want to go the for example 7th of August you need to call the reservation desk the 7th of May...,very early. Keep trying until you get in, All places are sold out in a few hours at most. The reason of this succes is clear : this is simply the best : the way to heaven.
The drive up to the protected area is 11 km, situated near the east end of the park. Without reservation you can walk, we saw a few courageous hikers taking this climb. No places are hold free for morning booking.
At the arrival there is a little information desk where you can buy a map of the whole area.
We did two hikes.
In the morning the Opabin lake trail - rather easy with a short steep climb (20 minutes) but not difficult for anyone in good condition. This trail is 5 km with an elevation of 215 m.
After rouding the Mary Lake you start the climb to the plateau, The view behind on the Mary Lake is incredible. A Photo shoot of first class. On the higher level there are plenty of little lakes and the beautiful Hungabee Lake, before arriving a little higher at the Opabin Lake.
The second walk was the Oesa trail. easy to moderate;
Arrived at the Opabin lake take the path to the right and after 100 yards you'll find on the right the Yukness trail leading to the Oesa Lake. We did not take this path but continued to explore the plateau and descend at the the right end tot the lake O'Hara, where we had noth only a superb view on the entiere lake but also picknick time.
We started the Oesa lake trail a few hundred meters to the left. The clilmb is longer but splendid. The views back at the O'hara lake are great.
You will walk for a very long time on purple stones in a decor of big rocks. Some higher (elevation total 225 m for 7 km) you will pass a first lake and cross a little a river and a beautiful cascade. Just above the cascade the view back is amazing.
Some higher two other splendid lakes are waiting.
The Oesa lake is the end of the great walk and lies in a majestic decor. We had a rest pause.
All together 5 hours of super hiking in a very sunny and glorious area.
Rounding the last part of lake O'hare is a piece of cake.
Waiting on the bus,(1/hour) it was ice-cream time.
The choice of the bus back is free.
The drive up to the protected area is 11 km, situated near the east end of the park. Without reservation you can walk, we saw a few courageous hikers taking this climb. No places are hold free for morning booking.
At the arrival there is a little information desk where you can buy a map of the whole area.
We did two hikes.
In the morning the Opabin lake trail - rather easy with a short steep climb (20 minutes) but not difficult for anyone in good condition. This trail is 5 km with an elevation of 215 m.
After rouding the Mary Lake you start the climb to the plateau, The view behind on the Mary Lake is incredible. A Photo shoot of first class. On the higher level there are plenty of little lakes and the beautiful Hungabee Lake, before arriving a little higher at the Opabin Lake.
The second walk was the Oesa trail. easy to moderate;
Arrived at the Opabin lake take the path to the right and after 100 yards you'll find on the right the Yukness trail leading to the Oesa Lake. We did not take this path but continued to explore the plateau and descend at the the right end tot the lake O'Hara, where we had noth only a superb view on the entiere lake but also picknick time.
We started the Oesa lake trail a few hundred meters to the left. The clilmb is longer but splendid. The views back at the O'hara lake are great.
You will walk for a very long time on purple stones in a decor of big rocks. Some higher (elevation total 225 m for 7 km) you will pass a first lake and cross a little a river and a beautiful cascade. Just above the cascade the view back is amazing.
Some higher two other splendid lakes are waiting.
The Oesa lake is the end of the great walk and lies in a majestic decor. We had a rest pause.
All together 5 hours of super hiking in a very sunny and glorious area.
Rounding the last part of lake O'hare is a piece of cake.
Waiting on the bus,(1/hour) it was ice-cream time.
The choice of the bus back is free.
Written July 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you wait for a standby seat at the bottom in the morning and what are the chances of getting one in September?
Written September 1, 2021
Hello,
I found out this morning that my application for the Lake O'Hara shuttle drawing wasn't successful. What other options are there for getting a ride so that we don't have to hike the extra distance? Are there private companies, UBER, Lyft? Is there even cell service in the park to schedule a ride back?
Written March 1, 2020
Hi KevTz, I guess the only option is a 12k hike up to lake O'Hara if you don't have a ticket. I did it, and was worth every step. The hike itself is quite boring, but once you are at the lake, the fun starts. Normally you will be able to grab a seat on the downhill ride. We were waiting with about 30 persons (without a ticket) and all got a seat on the downhill ride.
Written March 10, 2020
Hallo
How can you order tickets for a visit to lake O'Hara?
With kind regards
Annelien
Written January 11, 2020
New in 2020 you can book online and by phone starting on January 24, 2020.
-Online 24/7 reservation parks canada website
-By calling: 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783).
-International: 1-519-826-5391
Still note that getting a reservation will be very difficult and extremely luck if you do.
In previous years, you had to call the Lake O'Hara Parks Canada Office exactly 3 months prior to your date and getting a reservation was very rare. I have been lucky enough to visit twice, but it did take thousands of phone calls, literally over 2000 phone calls last year. Not even kidding.
It is an incredible place and the fact that they limit the amount of people that can hike and camp in the area is wonderful. Too many places such as Moraine Lake or Emerald Lake are being ruined by the tens of thousands of tourists and multiple bus loads of people that visit everyday.
Written January 12, 2020
J'aimerais faire une randonner d'une journée avec ma femme et ma fille de 16 ans, nous somme en bonne forme (sentier modéré). quelle sentier serais bien, j'ai bien aimé les photos du lac O'Hara
Written June 9, 2019
Me gustaría saber como se puede reservar ya que en la propia web no queda claro qué elección sería la correcta para coger plaza en el autobús. Gracias
Written May 23, 2019
Hi, if we manage to book the camp site, will we automatically get a bus reservation with that or do we have to book separate? I also called early the other day and got a notice that the line was temp out of service. does this happen if too many people are calling? thanks!
Written May 5, 2019
Yes bus reservation is automatically included.
Yes because literally thousands of people are calling the phone number, it may be unavailable or busy or out of service type tone at the time.
Written July 13, 2019
How is the road to drive up? Is it dangerous? Is the parking lot big or is there issues with being packed?
Written January 15, 2019
The road is closed to all vehicle and bicycle traffic, other than the Parks Canada buses. Seats on the bus are very limited and you must reserve in advance. All seats in 2018 were sold out for the season in minutes. Otherwise you can hike the 11 km in.
Written January 16, 2019
With all the BC wild fires how did you find the air quality on your hike last week?
Written August 20, 2018
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