Yoho National Park, B.C.
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Wapta Falls Yoho National Park, B.C. |
July 21, 2018
Tonight I'll be meeting some friends who are languishing at a bridge tournament over in Calgary. Before that, I will do as much exploration in the mountain parks as time permits.
Just inside the nearest Yoho National Park border is a good dirt road to a
trailhead. When I arrive in mid-morning, just one vehicle is there,
and its owner soon appears. Despite the posted warnings not to leave valuables
in the car, I set out anyway on this shorter walk.
The route is clear
Smooth Blue Aster
Yellow columbine
Still easy walking
Paintbrush
Golden Ragwort
The scenery never changes much
Suddenly, there it is.
Wapta Falls, on the Kicking Horse River
Continuing down to the overlook
Most of the water shoots off to the left after falling
Surely a better view than this is available, however.
A trail leads farther downhill
The most voluminous falls in Yoho Park
98 feet high
On the way back:
False Solomon's Seal
White Meadowsweet Spirea
The so-called Pregnant Tree
Self Heal
Harebell
Fascinating bark on the Asian White Birch
§: I encountered about a dozen hikers on the return route, so the
parking lot was busy upon my return. Nobody was able to break into my car,
so all is well.
The falls themselves were, as expected, quite powerful; yet as is the case with most waterfalls, greater flow usually does not equate to a prettier scene. I have seen far more beautiful photographs of Wapta Falls shot from other angles and at reduced flow.
This also was my third walk in three different national parks in three days' time, and I had done that only once previously.
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Google Earth view
