O Canada! Lake O'Hara/Yoho National Park, 8.6.19 -8.9.19, Part 5 of 8
After dropping off the side of the Opabin Prospect, Bridgit and Sandy opted to follow the West Opabin Trail back down to Lake O’Hara and the campground. Mike and I wanted to complete the full Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit. It was only around six o’clock and we had plenty of light left so we parted ways once again.
Happy hiker
Mike and I took a signed side trail that led to the All Souls Prospect.
The trail to the All Souls Prospect
Our route first climbed up onto a really cool shelf of lichen covered rock called the Hanging Gardens. From there we ascended at a fairly moderate angle up a scree slope, through a short patch of snow to a high shoulder on the side of 8,832’ Mt. Schaffer.
Mike at All Souls Prospect
As we approached the top we spotted a different mountain goat grazing below us.
mountain goat
This goat even passed right by us at the top of the prospect. I tried really hard to get a great angle of the goat with some monster peaks in the background and I succeeded but in my haste to line it up I overexposed the shot and the goat was too washed out.
mountain goat
The view from the All Souls Prospect was the most expansive views of the entire trip. It really helped that it was around 6:30PM and the late afternoon light was fantastic on the area we had traversed all day. We could see from the end of Lake O’Hara the routes each of us took to get to Lake Oesa. The entire Yukness Ledge Route was visible as was the entire Opabin Plateau and Opabin Prospect. The grandeur was mind altering.
The Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit
The sky was bright blue with puffy white clouds that created various textures of light on the scene. When the sun came out from behind a cloud and lit up the surface of the lakes and turned the forests a brilliant green it was magical in the evening light.
Lake O’Hara from All Souls Prospect
Looking back up the Opabin Plateau it almost looked Himalayan it was so rugged.
Opabin Plateau from All Souls Prospect
In the late afternoon light, our trail from the morning to Wiwaxy Gap was much easier to see.
Zoom in on our route to Wiwaxy Gap. The trail doesn’t waste much time!
Ten hours into it and still going strong!
Incredibly, the total mileage and elevation gain are fairly mild on this traverse which made it all the more special to be able to mostly stroll and amble through all this incredible scenery. I didn’t feel any pressure from anyone when I stopped a million times to take photos. Even though we were hiking it was very relaxing. The entire day was just perfect in every way and we still had a full day and a half left!
Onward to Part 6!