Glacier-sculptured rock walls, thundering waterfalls and idyllic lakes determine the majestic landscape of the Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The park is located in British Columbia and covers an area of 324.449 acres. North of the Kootenay National Park and adjacent to the Banff National Park in the east, it is the smallest of the four contiguous reserves in the region; however, its spectacular sights make up a hundred times for its tiny size.
Not for nothing Yoho is an expression of the Cree Indians meaning “surprise”. It welcomes visitors with a rugged scenery, breathtaking cascades, gorgeous glacial lakes and towering glaciers. All of these remarkable things are just waiting to be discovered. To begin with, it is advisable to obtain a field map from the visitor center in order to explore the area to the fullest.
Once travelers see the Emerald Lake for the first time, they are astonished by its magnificent glory. The shining jewel that lies surrounded by a forest of spruce and a 9.842 feet high mountain range invites guests to linger and relax. In the summer, there are lots of activities awaiting the outdoor enthusiasts, as they can go on an adventurous hike or escape on a canoe. The path around the lake opens up like a picture out of a fairy tale, too.
On the route to the Emerald Lake, tourists pass another attraction. Just past the turnoff, nearby a natural bridge, people can discover a site filled with fossils. The famous fossil beds have been protected by UNESCO and may, therefore, only be seen in guided companionship. The organic remains in this rock crust are approximately 530 million years old and come from invertebrate marine life.
To get to the valley, one has to climb an extremely narrow road with hairpin curves. The Yoho River runs through this area, which falls on the last mile by 800 feet and then flows into the Kicking Horse River. From there, travelers reach the impressive Takakkaw Falls. They rush into depth on the edge of the Yoho Valley, and its thunder can be heard from miles away. The spray glistens in the sun in the most adorable colors, and even if this can be seen from the road, it is worth to make a detour in order to experience the spectacle up close.
The Yoho National Park offers the most stunning views over the valley. It beckons with trails through lunar landscapes with ice-blue crystal lakes and an exceptional mountain panorama. People from all over the world, who have been to the Yoho reserve have lost their hearts in its vastness of beauty and nature.
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