on the Whaleback section of the trail. Inside I couldn’t help but smile at how the boot was now on the other foot. The Iceline hike is a wonderful trail up past tree line to and along a ridge presenting beautiful vistas across the Yoho Valley of Takakkaw Falls as fast-receding glaciers teeter above you. Aug 21, 2014. Luckily the people that we saw from 1k away had already gone so we had it to ourselves for a while. Little Yoho National Park of Canada is located just outside of the small town of Field, BC, and not far from the ski resort of Lake Louise in Alberta. If you have more time, add the Whaleback trail, which allows you sky-high views of the Presidential peaks in Yoho National Park and includes a scenic stop at Twin Falls. 1 Reviews of Iceline / Little Yoho Valley Loop "A great scenic route with very accessible trails. We reciprocated and took one of them as well. Yoho is generally more peaceful than its more famous neighbour and the scenery is equally stunning. Iceline Trail (Via Celeste Lake) Total Distance: 18 ... and goes 6.6 k in each direction to the Iceline Summit. If you follow these tips you should be prepared if something goes wrong and you’ll find more enjoyment in your hike! When you connect, state that you are “In an emergency in Yoho National Park and require Warden Service” Water: Pack enough water and know where you can refill along the trail. The Iceline Loop Trail is a long and somewhat arduous day hike that has a little bit of everything Yoho National Park has to offer. Following signs for Iceline via Little Yoho loop, the run started off on a runnable gravel path. Mark down the emergency numbers for the national park (911 or 403-762-4506 for Yoho) but keep in mind that you may not have cell reception. Yoho’s most spectacular backpacking begins in the Yoho Valley. McArthur, the Des Poilus Glacier and Isolated Peak anchor the far end of the Iceline Trail as you near the Little Yoho Valley. ( Log Out /  Although we already had at least 3 hikes in as many days under out belts, the general strain of living in each others pockets as well as the longest hike we would have done together was going to take patience. Campsites must be booked in advance through Parks Canada and book up quickly so make sure you plan in advance. When hiking you are responsible to take care of yourself and assistance may not be nearby. Have you been hiking in the last few days? While it may seem glacier melt should be the most pristine source of water bacteria such as Giardia can ruin your trip in a hurry. Check the road status with Parks Canada before you plan your trip! The beginning of the trail climbs through forest and steadily gains elevation, quickly putting you above treeline. The trail moves along rocky and rugged open terrain as you hike beside the Emerald glacier and over streams and tarns. As we came out of the trees we felt the nip in the air. Also, it can be done in both directions, starting at the Whiskey Jack Hostel or Takakkaw Falls Campground. Starting from Takakkaw Falls, one of tallest in Canada, it goes up to follow the lower edge of several glaciers. Pack a first aid kit and know how to use it. Hopefully we’ve inspired you to check out this area so we’ll leave you with a packing list to plan your trip. Nearby Hiking Trails. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We took her advice, retraced our steps and started on the ‘better’ direction. Cutting downhill through the forest via switchbacks, the trail passed another junction with the Marpole Lake Trail about a half mile after the Celeste Lake Trail junction; here, I once again stayed on the Little Yoho Valley Trail to head towards Laughing Falls and the Takakkaw Falls Trailhead. We hiked 15kms from the parking lot to the Iceline Trail lookout. I’m not a hiker, but this seems like it would be worth it. Start at the Whiskey Jack Hostel as it gets the elevation gain out of the way while you have fresh legs and puts you quickly above the treeline. Further on there are detours for Point Lace Falls and Angel’s Staircase. Take a good look and you will see your next destination, the Twin Falls teahouse. on the Whaleback section of the trail. We got off to a late start because of the potato stop, but we felt strong and reasonably sure we could finish before dark. Perfectly spaced to break up the Iceline Trail. Prepare your meals away from your tent so that you’re not sleeping in the same place as the smell. Yes, it’s definitely a great hike and worth the effort. Travel advice, stories, and inspiration! A site worth visiting on its own, Takakkaw Falls is the starting point for the Iceline Trail. Length: 20.8 km Hiking time: 8 hours Elevation: 710 m Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km east of Field, B.C. Check out the Alpine Club of Canada’s website for more info. Stop and take a couple pictures to enjoy the scene. Iceline Trail/Little Yoho Valley Trail/Yoho Valley Trail (21.3 km loop, 715 meters elevation gain) – can be done as a long day hike or as an overnight with backcountry camping at Little Yoho or Laughing Falls campgrounds (additional fee applies) or an overnight stay at the Alpine Club of Canada Stanley Mitchell Hut. Iceline Trail Intermediate. ( Log Out /  As Parks Canada states: “Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Retailers also sell bells but those have been proven to be ineffective and may actually make the bear curious, so save your money. It is typically hiked as a loop/circuit including Takakkaw Falls, the Iceline Trail, Little Yoho Valley, and Laughing Falls. >The Iceline Trail really is a unique and amazing hike. Perfectly spaced to break up the Iceline Trail. Wait for me” shouted Loz from behind. We drove out from Calgary the morning of our trip and stopped in the town of Field to wait out a bit of rain. No matter, we were planning to do the Whaleback anyway. The dense cloud seemed to be coming our way and we felt spots of rain hit our face. We camped overnight at Laughing Falls. So we took on the Iceline trail via Little Yoho. It was built between 1908-1928 as a stop for trail ride tours and was designated a national historic site in 1992 for it’s role promoting tourism in Yoho National Park’s early days. Day Trip: summit the Iceline Trail and return on the same route for a 13km there and back hike. It was designated a Federal Heritage Building in 1997. If you’re one of those crazy speedy hikers or a trail runner it is possible to do both sections in one (very long) day but we take no responsibility for your sore feet! The trail to the Stanley Mitchell Hut is roughly 11km, so with a relatively short distance ahead of us,  we figured we could make up for our late start. They also require an Alpine Club of Canada membership (which you can purchase). Change ), Paddling Indian Arm – Deep Cove, Vancouver, Vancouver Island - Arnica Lake (Strathcona). The traditional Iceline loop is slightly different than our route, it continues pass the high point on the Iceline and drops into Little Yoho Valley and Stanley Mitchell Hut before following the Little Yoho Valley Trail toward Yoho Valley. “I can, but I don’t want to” I say. My water had run out a couple of hours ago. You can make this longer or shorter depending on your energy. Your starting point would be the Takakkaw Falls Campground and there is a clear sign from the parking lot. “Scottie! Contacts. I was willing just for a drink. Located near twin falls (guess that was pretty obvious eh?) Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. We camped overnight at Laughing Falls. Suffice to say, all layers were needed until later in the day. From Stanley Mitchell Hut we quickly descended approximately 2.5km through the forest to Celeste Lake junction which was actually closed as the bridge had been washed out. If you’re planning to do the Iceline via Little Yoho and you can’t get in at the hut this would be our recommended backcountry camping spot for a two-day trip! But you’ll miss some of the wonderful scenery further up the Iceline Trail. The tail was pretty clear as it was rather well trodden, which made things much easier as the trail markers (ribbons) were not too easy to spot, wrapped around rocks by our feet. In fact, the hike length can be shortened by taking the cutoff to Celeste Lake, which is shortly south of the Iceline Trail?s highest point of elevation. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/iceline-trail As an aside, Field is a quaint mountain village of about 200 people. Not too much longer we were back to the beginning. Guesthouses at the quaint town of Field, BC, a Golden, BC, the Whiskey Jack Hostel, or the walk-in campground at Takakkaw Falls would be good options to get an early start on the trail. This year, we were more lucky. Elevation Gain: 864m At any rate, if you’re doing the trail clockwise as we did, turn left when you get to the top of the Whaleback. One of the best spots we stopped at was Laughing Falls. The Iceline Trail starts from Takakkaw Falls in the heart of Yoho National Park. Boil water for at least 1 minute before drinking. 1. Iceline Trail is well set up with numerous campsites so again, the theme is options and flexibility. Essential information about the Iceline Trail Getting to the Iceline Trail. We hiked the full loop to make sure we saw the Whaleback and Twin Falls and it is about 30km. Great for beginners and experienced hikers alike, the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park is one of the premier hikes in Western Canada. The Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Field, BC would also have information about the Iceline Trail and other attractions at Yoho National Park. Essential information about the Iceline Trail Getting to the Iceline Trail. It was our first all-dayer and it had been testing – the distance, weather and general tiredness all contributed but it a spectacular way to spend one of our last days in the Rockies together. There were two relatively distinct trails at the top of the Whaleback. All along you can hear the roar of Takakkaw Falls and as you clear the treeline, take some time to appreciate the fact that you are now higher than one of the highest waterfalls in Canada. Crossing Laughing Falls is a highlight and the campground there looks gorgeous nestled in by the river. ( Log Out /  A great scenic route with very accessible trails. This was one of the only points in the trail where we found the route wasn’t crystal clear. This would be a good place to spend a night if you’re looking to break the trail up into three days (either the first night or the last night). Takakkaw is pronounced “TACK-a-kah”, now you can spend the hike practising. We carried along the ridge. Dress in layers and avoid cotton as it does not keep you warm when it gets wet. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. To get to Yoho National Park from Calgary (the nearest major city) drive West on Highway 1 for about 2.5 hours. Bears generally prefer to avoid people so make noise to avoid them. We could see Daly Glacier and Takakkaw Falls which looked so big when close up, now seemed nothing but a trickle. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers: pc.yohoinfo-infoyoho.pc@canada.ca. The trail meanders through the forest for about 4km, heading steadily downhill until you come across a viewing area for Twin Falls. Despite the beauty, it was a little torture. These falls are the second highest in Western Canada. The popular Iceline Trail is one of the premiere Yoho National Park hikes. As the weather is looking nice, we decided to start the Iceline trail in Yoho national park today. DIFFICULT 5.6 mi. We certainly are privileged to have such stunning beauty so close and accessible from our home in Calgary. Although, the Iceline Trail is not a technically challenging trail, it’s long, and you’re in the backcountry, so it’s best to be careful. They’re a fairly plain looking brown bird, but look for their unique white eyelid and characteristic dipping, they’re a lot of fun to watch! The outlook was even less promising when we heard the rumble of thunder somewhere in the distance. Iceline Summit Loop via Iceline Trail. The Iceline Trail, Whaleback, and Yoho Valley trails make for a great two-four day backpacking circuit in Yoho National Park. Drop off your packs and walk in a bit closer for a view (and misting) from the waterfall. As with the campgrounds, bookings for the Stanley Mitchell Hut need to be made well in advance. We had opted to spend the night at the Stanley Mitchell Hut (And by “opted” I mean it was the only option that wasn’t booked solid) where we met a few other groups, including a guided group out of New York, which represents a testament to the world class beauty of the Iceline Trail. As mentioned, the trail can be done in either direction. The outside thermometer at Stanley Mitchell Hut said that it was only 3 degrees Celsius (37F) during the evening and early morning. Of course she turned and gave me that look of ‘hurry up’ as if I was taking my time idly looking at the beer section in the supermarket. We were back to where we had initially started off on our hike in the opposite direction. We love the, Permits for campsite and/or hut & give a friend a copy of your itinerary, Hiking Boots, Clothes, and a Warm Jacket or Fleece, Water Bottles & Filter or Pristine Tablets. The first of many sights along the trail is Laughing Falls. We hiked 15kms from the parking lot to the Iceline Trail lookout. Strong hikers may access the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park via Goodsir Pass in Yoho. When you curve around The President, you'll descend a little into the forest of Little Yoho Valley. We soon covered up our T-shirts with our fleeces to stop the chill from all that sweat that was hanging to our clothes. DIFFICULT 9.9 mi. Located near twin falls (guess that was pretty obvious eh?) Never underestimate how cold it can get at night in the Rockies, even during the heat of summer! If doing the trail clockwise as we did, one goes left (northwest) towards the top of Twin Falls and I assume the other goes straight down to Yoho Valley and the parking lot. Let’s work together to keep Yoho National Park safe.. Share your trail pictures with us! We got off to a late start because of the potato stop, but we felt strong and reasonably sure we could finish before dark. The spots turned to splatters and we soon got the rain jackets out and the rain pants on. If you’re short on time, planning a day-trip of the Iceline hike is a good option and you still hit the main highlights and enjoy the glacial views. The hike follows remnants of the Emerald Glacier and with the majority of it is above treeline you’ll be treated to stupendous views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Shared By: Equipment: Ensure that you have enough food (including fuel), water, and the appropriate equipment for your trip. With a soft smile, I did remind her that this is exactly what she was doing earlier at the car park and on the other hikes, but they were different, apparently. Great photography. Cancellations often come available last minute so keep an eye on it if your dates are already taken. 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