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Rockies :: Yoho :: Iceline

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 View back across glacial landscape from "Iceline Summit" towards distant O'Hara peaks group.  Emerald glacier extreme center right

Multiple Dates, last Aug 17 2022

Iceline is true Rockies classic.  If you are going to do 1 hike in Yoho National Park, make it this one.  Starting near tourist busy - but magnificent - Takakkaw Falls trail climbs to vast glacial landscape below the Presidents with sweeping views across Little Yoho Valley.  Usual turnaround point is "Iceline Summit" - small moraine bump as main trial starts turning NW towards Little Yoho Valley.  Loop return options both include standard Little Yoho valley trail - shorter via Celeste Lake and longer via Stanley Mitchell Hut.  Energetic hikers can also extend the day by hiking over Whaleback to Twin Falls and return via Yoho Valley Trail.  Note that Takakkaw Road is not plowed which makes winter access much more difficult - although it is done by cross-country skiers fairly regularly in winter. 

Trailhead is by Whiskey Jack Hostel near the end of Takakkaw Road.  If you have never seen Takakkaw Falls, it is well worth elbowing with tourist hordes as they are truly magnificent (falls, not the elbows!)   If planning on doing the loop it is probably best to park at one of Takakkaw tourist lots then walk back 10-15min to Whiskey Jack.   If hiking out the same way one can park at shoulder by Whiskey Jack turnoff (Parks Canada might prohibit this in the future;  note that hostel parking is reserved for guests).  Iceline trail rises moderately through forest passing signed lower Yoho Lake junction (keep right), then after reaching treeline upper Yoho Lake junction ~3km.  Now the beauty of this hike truly begins as views are spectacular.  Aerial view of Takakkaw Falls, distant O'Hara peaks and several peaks directly east (Niles, Daly, Balfour to name a few).  Trail contours below Presidents glacier;  there are several non-bridged tarn outflow crossings that require easy rock hop.   Marked Celeste junction is reached in about 2.5 hr of moderate pace from the trailhead;  even if planing hiking out that way, it is worth continuing another ~15min or so to "Iceline Summit" - obvious bump few minutes along moraine ridge from the main trail, and probably best viewpoint of the day.

For Celeste return note there is unavoidable creek crossing just before Little Yoho trail junction and bridge is known to be out occasionally - check the state beforehand.  It will take ~1hr from Iceline junction of gradual descent through meadows and pine forest to lower Celeste Junction at Little Yoho Trail.  Stanley Mitchell Hut loop return is the most recommended option as most scenic part of Iceline, for myself at least, lies beyond "Iceline Summit".  Largest glacial tarn - more like real lake - is here.  Crossing might be problematic depending on season, but I always preferred walking around the lake as it offered great reflections of distant Mt. Balfour (see gallery).  Trail eventually swings in westerly direction and switchbacks down forested slopes to Stanley Mitchell Hut;  turn right and hike out to Laughing Falls /  Yoho Valley Trail and back to Takakkaw (3.5 - 4 hrs from Iceline Summit).   Note that Little Yoho Trail has been incorrectly labelled Iceline Trail on Google Maps as of summer '22.

Gallery

Avalanche Slopes Bushy Avalanche Slopes above Whiskey Jack;  Iceline Trail switchbacks on the right side

Takakkaw Falls Aerial view of Takakkaw Falls just past upper Yoho Lake junction,  fed by Daly Glacier (upper center left).  Bowl roughly center above the Falls holds large alpine lake but is extremely hard to get to;  descent from Mt. Niles (upper center) might be possible

Stone Pathway Stone pathway in glacial valley below the Presidents

Glacial Tarn One of several glacial tarns fed by Presidents Glacier

Glacial Outflow Crossing Easy Rock-Hop over Glacial outflow;  hiking poles help for stability

Wapta Mountain View back to Wapta Mountain showing normal scrambler access route from Wapta Higline Trail, starting from Emerald Lake

Isolated Peak Isolated Peak (R) and Des Poilus Glacier from as Iceline starts contouring towards Little Yoho Valley

Celeste Meadows Celeste Meadows on alternate loop return