Note: We’re catching up on time in Canada. This post was entered on 08/17.
Today was a casual wake-up. Around 10am we drove to the YOHO National Park for sightseeing.
The Trans-Canada Highway passes through the center of YOHO National Park. The Canadian Pacific Railroad closely follows the highway and is an integral part of area history.
The Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site just east of Field offered an excellent story of how The Spiral Tunnels work. The tunnels were completed by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1909 and are still used. They reduced the railway grade from 4.5% (the steepest of any in North America) to 2.2%. We could see entry and exit portals of the lower spiral, but pictures really didn’t capture the view.
Today was a casual wake-up. Around 10am we drove to the YOHO National Park for sightseeing.
The Trans-Canada Highway passes through the center of YOHO National Park. The Canadian Pacific Railroad closely follows the highway and is an integral part of area history.
The Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site just east of Field offered an excellent story of how The Spiral Tunnels work. The tunnels were completed by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1909 and are still used. They reduced the railway grade from 4.5% (the steepest of any in North America) to 2.2%. We could see entry and exit portals of the lower spiral, but pictures really didn’t capture the view.
Spiral Tunnels
We then drove through Field. It’s a small, quaint railroad village. It has a few nicely kept homes, a few cafes and a railroad workers residence.
The Kicking Horse River created an eroded rock archway called Natural Bridge at a spot about 5 minutes west of Field.
Explanation of Natural Bridge erosion
Natural Bridge
Downstream of Natural Bridge
The Natural Bridge story
Emerald Lake is about 15 minutes from Field. It’s considered a jewel of the Canadian Rockies. It’s beautiful and more secluded than most lakes we’ve seen.
Emerald Lake ... ooh, the color!
We headed back toward Lake Louise and stopped at Takakkaw Falls. Takakkaw means “magnificent” in Cree … and they were. They are among the highest in Canada.
Takakkaw!
It started to rain while we were at the falls. We had our trusty ponchos … pretty smart, huh?
We saw an interesting effect after leaving the falls. The confluence of two glacier-fed rivers results in a mixing of colors.
River confluence
Map Tracks
Start: Lake Louise, Alberta
West on Trans-Canada Highway 1 to Field, Alberta and return
End: 43 miles @ Lake Louise, Alberta
I remember Lake Emerald being an outstanding color! You captured it in your photo!
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