58. Lake O'Hara-McArthur Lake/Mary Lake/Opabin Prospect

Distance: 12.4 km
Elevation gain: 413m plus 250m

Margaret organized a trip to Lake O`Hara to see the larches in September. We left Calgary at 6:00am on September 22 to catch the 8:30 bus up to Lake O'Hara hoping for a lovely few days in the sunshine among the golden larches. We expected some cold so we dressed warm and had rain gear along.

The situation changed completely as we rode up the mountain and by the time we got to Elizabeth Parker Hut we saw snow all around us, and cloud cover allowing only partial views of the mountains.

We put our backpacks in the hut and started out for our day's hike. It was not raining or snowing so we could see the larches in the valleys and nearby mountains. The ups and downs of the route, the good walking trails(sometimes icy and slippery) and the variety of the mountain slopes made the hike beautiful.

Even through the snow it was lovely.

As we ate our snack  beside McArthur Lake, the sun tried valiantly to poke through but hope as we might, it didn't quite make it and the larches did not light up.

 We took a circle route back and looked down on Schaffer Lake.

Then we followed the Big Larches Trail, looked over Lake O'Hara and ate lunch at Mary Lake.

Again the sun tried to come out but failed. From the lake we could see Opabin Plateau, our next destination and the trail climbing steeply up the right side.

The climb was body-warming and the open view was full of lakes. We soon reached the top and followed the trail to the prospect/edge overlooking the valley.

We went down the other side of the plateau, along a wide gorgeous stream which would have been fun to play in in the summer and then down to Lake O'Hara.

We followed the south shore along a good, level path back to the home base. There was still time for a cup of tea at the Relais before we went up to make our supper.

59. Lake O'Hara-Lake Oesa

Distance: 7.8km return
Elevation gain:  240m

The next morning started out with sunshine but it soon changed to snow and rain so we decided to do a short hike and play safe. Hopefully Herm and I can come back in the summer to do a higher hike with a lookout over the area - Wiwaxy. Our destination was Lake Oesa with a special focus on the trail building artistry of Lawrence Grassi.

Somehow he moved big rocks to make this stairs; an easy climb up from Lake O'Hara to the beginning of the trail to Lake Oesa. All trails are well labeled. From the trail we got repeated views of Lake O'Hara, its falls at the end and the reflections of other mountains.

We passed many smaller lakes on the climb up. Yukness Lake first.

A waterfall illustrates one lake emptying into another. We stopped and listened to water sounds coming from ALL around us.

Grassi's stairs and trail building are so appreciated, a plaque was mounted on a stone in honour of him.

The next lake was Victoria Lake.

Then Le Froy Lake.

And finally Lake Oesa with the sea monster in it.

It was time for lunch but very cold and windy so we looked for a protective rock.

We couldn't sunbathe here so we packed up and headed back down the beautiful trail.

Both days were cool, cloudy and wet but we were warm and dry; disappointed at the lack of sunshine but we totally enjoyed the O'Hara area and look forward to visiting again.