lake o' hara

Due to the fragility of Lake O'Hara's alpine environment, the lake is only reachable by bus ride which can be booked 3 months in advance and we managed to secure our seats on the last day of 2014, to visit this hidden gem in Canadian Rockies.The scenery surrounding Lake O' Hara is simply breathtaking. There are many hiking trails to choose from. For the least adventurous, the trail that circle around the lake provided a 360 degrees view of the surrounding alpine area. You can also hire to Lake Oesa, which is a easy 6.6km round trip or to Lake McArthur, if you have a few days to spare.

WOW! this must be one of the most beautiful places anyone can go? Every view is like a picture postcard, one more amazing than the next. It really is out of this world and I can now understand why it is so hard to get to and so popular. We couldn't get bus tickets so turned up before 7am for cancellations. Mmmm not the only people with that idea and we didn't get a place for two days running so thought to heck with it and hiked the access road. Luckily there were 3 others hiking in so we spent 2 hours chatting away and didn't notice the 11km hike. If you're relatively fit it's not too bad. Although we felt it on the start of the alpine route up the Wiwaxy Gap!! We made 2/3 of the Alpine route before running out if time and energy and got the 4.30 bus back down. It was worth every step. The place is Awesome and words can't do it justice. Do everything you can to go as it will live long in the memory!! Just hope we can get the bus next time...

We have done many hikes in the rockies but this is probably the most beautiful, in fact I think the Lake O'Hara area is one of the most gorgeous places anywhere. The trails are amazingly done as well, there are hikes for all abilities. We did 2 hikes plus the lakeshore trail. First we did the hike to Lake Oesa and after a short break at the day shelter we did the hike to Lake McArthur. If you are only doing one hike I would suggest the Lake Oesa one, since you go by a few small lakes and waterfalls on the way there and there are beautiful views the entire way. This hike also has a set of stone steps built by Lawrence Grassi, they are just amazingly done. However, Lake McArthur probably has the bluest blue water we have ever seen! We saw quite a few pikas and some marmots and lots of wildflowers. We also saw a baby rabbit in the campground. You really can't go wrong any of the hikes as they are all beautiful. The carrot cake at the day shelter was soooo good!! They also had various hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and even various ice cream treats. I wasn't expecting that much selection. Take cash as you will be tempted to buy a nice treat and they don't take credit. They were also very friendly. In fact the lady that met us at the bus stop and the bus driver were both super friendly as well. The drive wasn't that bumpy at all, but this may depend on the time of year.Hoping to get lucky next year and be able to reserve a campsite as we'd like to stay there for a couple days and the lodge is just a bit over my budget. :)

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.aspxWhat 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

Lake O'Hara is nice but if you just see that, you're ripping yourself off. Lake Oesa, Lake McArthur and the Opabin Plateau are amazing areas to see and increases your odds of seeing Pikas, Marmots and wild flowers. Also, don't forget to have a piece of carrot cake at the day shelter!

While I was doing my research for this Canadian Rockies vacation, I saw photos of Lake McArthur. I tell myself this is the place I must go see. It’s the most beautiful lake I have seen from all the photos that are posted on Trip Advisor. The reservation is not easy to make. I called 3 months before our trip as that’s what the official site says you have to do. On the day, I began calling 1 minute before the phone line is open, and I got a busy line. I continued calling none stop for one hour without any luck, and at that point I was thinking I might never be able to get through. Stop for an hour and tried again. I just kept pushing redial. Finally I got through after at least 100 tries. Was it worth the trouble? YOU BET. The place is so amazing. The only sound you hear along the trails is bird chirping and the sound of stream. We were just in awe with the beauty of the entire park - the lakes, rocks, dead trees. You must go see this place; it’s so worth the trouble.

This is worth the effort in advance to see these lakes! Plan on spending a morning 3 months in advance to obtain bus tickets. You won't be disappointed. This was our second trip ... luckily! The first time we went the Wiwaky Gap which takes you above Lakes O'hara and Oesa and a view that is amazing. This trip we hiked to McArthur Lake which is equally rewarding. We had light snow so dress in layers. Be sure to warm up and have some treats and tea while you are waiting for the bus pick up at the end. Don't forget your camera!

There really are many great lakes to visit but Lake O'Hara is the jewel and a must see. This time I got to see it in a beautiful sunny day (last time I was there 4 years ago it was cold and snowing, but it turned out one of the most amazing days ever!). Since the amount of visitors per day are restricted (you either reserve with Parks Canada or The Lake O'Hara Lodge) there are never the masses that you'll encounter at other lakes. The walk around the lake takes about 1 hour, depending on how much you want to see. There are other, much longer and more difficult hikes to other lakes. Staying overnight is not cheap and you need to reserve way ahead of time. One day I will stay there for a few days and take in all the beauty when the day visitors head back down. You can get to Lake O'Hara without a reservation, but you need to walk the 11 km hike up. And it's not really a overly great hike.

WHITOUT A RESERVATION, We arrived at 7:30am at the parking lot and went right away to the bus stop. At 08:20am the warden arrived and every place on bus was reserved. But when I told them that I was camping, they said OK hop in! I guess they have reserved places on bus for people who camp whitout a reservation. Everybody else that was going for a day hike couldn't get in. We camped one night, there's 1 fire pit for everyone and two cabins with fireplaces. There's also drinking water and very clean toilets.Worth the 29$ for two / one night .. Compared to the lodge at 900$/ night!

The most beautiful and peaceful place. Due to the restriction of visitors, you are away of crowd and distractions. Make sure you visit the lake early morning so you can see the calm water like a pure mirror. The difficult part is making reservation, I know some people made over 100 calls, but it is wrathful. If you only have limited time, make sure you go the north part of trail first. It has more varieties than the south part.

If you are reading this and have not been...you must GO NOW! Stunning trails, animals abound, and a lovely campground and lodge. The alpine circuit can be rough even in early summer, but none the less amazing. I cannot say enough about this place...had I died doing the Huber ledges, I doubt I would have cared!

This place is amazing. You have to book well ahead if you want a place on their campground. We were lucky enough to get 3 nights since someone cancelled their trip. I suggest you spend as much time as you can there. (the max. is 3 nights) There is so much beauty on this site. We've made almost all the hikes. Every one is unique and worthy to try. The access to this area is restricted to preserve the natural beauty. A place you won't forget.

Spent a couple of nights here in the winter. At -34 deg C, we questioned our sanity as we strapped on our skinny skiis and poled our way up the road to Lake O'Hare lodge. We vowed to go for a few hundred feet and turn around, just for the experience, because our footwear was inadequate for the cold. The cold route climbed, and were warming up. So much so, that we had to stop to cool down. I then checked my trusty little CSPS zipper thermometer, which tried to tell me it was -1deg C. A welcome inversion! After shedding a few sweaters, we continued on. We were greeted with a hot mug of grog at the lodge. That went down very well, and was followed by by a superb lunch.We joined a small group and headed up to the Opabin area. Telemarking was not my forte, and apparently nobody else's in the group, so we spent what was left of the afternoon making & filling bathtubs in all that pristine powder.Dinner at the lodge outdid lunch, if that were possible. Getting perishable to the lodge is no mean feat, especially with the extreme temperatures and lack of transportation.The accommodations are exceptionally comfortable, especially considering the series duvets.The scenery, ambiance, hospitality, etc. Are superb and behind compare.

I was lucky enough to get through on the telephone 3 months before our trip. My hubby and I called over 400 times for 2 days before I finally got through. I was soooo excited. If you do get through, you will get a recording first, then you will have to go through a few prompts and listen to the history of Lake O'Hara before you get a human being. Just have your credit card # ready and choose the 8:30 a.m. bus if you can. We arrived on the day a 1/2 hour before the bus departure time and there were arleady people there waiting to get on the bus in case someone didn't show up. So be on time if you do get through. :) After the 10 minute bus ride, you arrive at the hut and the lake is across the street. We walked over to Lake O'Hara first and then decided which hike to do. It was gorgeous! We decided to hike to Lake MacArthur and we were so happy we chose that hike. Honestly, this place is everything people say it is. Unspoiled, quiet, peaceful and breathtaking. We felt like we were the only people there. We say a couple of people that were staying at the lodge but that was it. We did the hike via the hi-level circuit and, OMG, the view when you arrive at Lake MacArthur was stunning!! We found a nice, big flat rock to sit on and enjoy our packed lunch and spent some time just taking in the view. I cannot say enough about this beautiful place. You must try to get on the bus. You will not regret it!

Had the oppurtunity to stay at the Elizabeth Parker Hut during summer months for hiking. Is roughing it a bit and was crowded but the scenery makes you forget all of that. Awesome place to hike an enjoy nature at it's best. Well worth the trip. Elizabeth Parker Hut very very reasonable. Have hiked there several times now and it never gets old. Just remember to book your bus ride in well in advance. Also if you get a chance have high tea at the lodge.