Whenever friends find out I have not hiked the Lake O’Hara area, the same looks come on their face, shocked and followed by, “you have to go”. So, this season I decided to explore Lake O’Hara. With no bus service on the old road to Lake O’Hara, due to COVID 19, only option was one step at a time.Before I made my first trip in, I went over the map several times, looking at the trails and what type topographic I would be dealing with. I was getting negative reviews about hiking the long gravel road in. But personally, I was good. Great views going in and coming out. On my first trip, I visited Lake Oesa and took the Yukness Ledges over to Opabin Lake. During the second trip, I visited Lake McArthur. Always checking out side trails and never coming back the same trails back to Lake O’Hara. I was scouting for future opportunities for photography. On my last visit, I decided to make things bit more interesting, not only hike in and out but to do the Alpine Circuit. Going around or most of Lake O’Hara, but from distance and altitude. I earned a container of chocolate ice cream that day. Again I was hoping for photography opportunities, in particular for landscapes and sightings of the beast the colour of winter.
On my third visit, I started a half an hour before sunrise. The road felt like an old friend, enjoying as the morning light hit the peaks to the right of me. Looking at the wild flowers along the path and hearing and seeing birds along the way. Once I got to the shores of Lake O’Hara, I had a quick sip of water and I pushed my way up to Wiwaxy Pass. But after several hikes this year the steep hike was not a problem, the mind and the body was in sync. I just had to watch my footing as the body was in automatic mode. No fauna to take pictures of, but I was well rewarded by the views. Took some pictures, had a sip of water and couple bites food before I was on Huber Ledges making my way to Lake Oesa.
Got my first rest off my feet, but not before spraying myself with bug spray. With no wind, the bugs were hungrier then I was. It was around 1030 am, the temperature was starting to climb, the mountains were dealing with its second heat wave of the summer. As soon as I ate my energy bar and drank more water and perhaps ate few insects by mistake. It was time to head for the Yukness Ledges and decide if I was going to do the third part of the alpine Circuit. The heat was the physical challenge I was dealing with that day, but I still had lots of water and lots of time on hand as well. Soon after I left Oesa, I got to take pictures of White-tailed Ptarmigans and stopped few times along the ledges to take picture of the hoary marmots and listened to the American pikas call out. On flat areas and descending sections, I tend to recover. That was the case as I made it to the Opabin Plateau. When I got to the last intersection where I had to decide whether to go down to Lake O’Hara, or up. This time to the high point of All Souls Alpine Route, last section of the Alpine Circuit. By 1230pm, I was standing at the high point, taking in the view shown in the picture.
After taking pictures, I quickly descended toward Lake O’Hara. Whether ascending or descending, I normally give way to other hikers. But this time being tired and looking forward to my break before hiking out. I followed the alpine code, descenders get the right of way. Gave the seven hikers going up lot of space and a big hello as I made my way down without stopping. Had a ten-minute break, filled up with water and thought about the great day as I walked the 11 kms out. Love the mountains.
