Trip Report: Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, British Columbia
When: 07/28/2017
Location: Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park
Conditions: Lower 70's daytime. Upper 40's night. All the sunshine.
Duration: 3 days/2 nights
Difficulty: Iceline via Little Yoho rates as a moderately difficult trip.
Kid Friendly: No
Pet Friendly: No
Useful links: www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho
The Full Report:
Takakkaw Falls campground is a front country campground located right off the Trans-Canada Highway near Field, BC. The campground itself is set back about a quarter mile from the parking lot. Don't fret about having to make multiple trips to and from your car though because the campground has large plastic wheelbarrows for everyone to use at their leisure. Convenience at its finest.
Most people visit this as a wayside stop to see Takakkaw Falls itself. The waterfall is impressive at 991 ft. A neat feature is it is direct runoff from the glaciers high above it so during the afternoon hours when the temps are warmest it flows faster compared to the morning. Several campsites boast a view of the falls so arrive early and perhaps get lucky.
The campground itself offers a nice jumping off point for a multitude of hikes and other waterfalls to see. I chose to do the Iceline trail and do the full loop at 12 miles. I started by heading south and going clockwise from the campground. It’s a nuisance to walk along the road to the trailhead past the hostel but you get most of the elevation gain out of the way quickly and with that, the views start out with a bang once clearing the tree line. The views don't quit, and the trail is aptly named because it traverses along the side of two mountains well above the tree line below several snowfields and glaciers. Bring your trekking poles because you might encounter several seasonal streams that must be crossed. The back half, once passed the Stanley Mitchell Hut, is a lovely hike through the forest back down the mountain. The wildflowers were in full bloom and offered great color contrast to the deep green hues of the lush pine forest. The final sight to see on this hike is Laughing Falls. Not as impressive as Takakkaw Falls but it is a nice place to stop and relax for a while before finishing the hike back to camp.
A final note. The infrastructure in Canada is fantastic and this campground is no different. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, and fire pit. The campground has bear lockers, a stainless-steel sink with running water, and what most in America would call a cabin. A fully enclosed structure with a door, 2 large picnic tables, and a wood burning stove. So, if the weather turns sour you won't be confined to your tent.
The Full Report:
Takakkaw Falls campground is a front country campground located right off the Trans-Canada Highway near Field, BC. The campground itself is set back about a quarter mile from the parking lot. Don't fret about having to make multiple trips to and from your car though because the campground has large plastic wheelbarrows for everyone to use at their leisure. Convenience at its finest.
Most people visit this as a wayside stop to see Takakkaw Falls itself. The waterfall is impressive at 991 ft. A neat feature is it is direct runoff from the glaciers high above it so during the afternoon hours when the temps are warmest it flows faster compared to the morning. Several campsites boast a view of the falls so arrive early and perhaps get lucky.
The campground itself offers a nice jumping off point for a multitude of hikes and other waterfalls to see. I chose to do the Iceline trail and do the full loop at 12 miles. I started by heading south and going clockwise from the campground. It’s a nuisance to walk along the road to the trailhead past the hostel but you get most of the elevation gain out of the way quickly and with that, the views start out with a bang once clearing the tree line. The views don't quit, and the trail is aptly named because it traverses along the side of two mountains well above the tree line below several snowfields and glaciers. Bring your trekking poles because you might encounter several seasonal streams that must be crossed. The back half, once passed the Stanley Mitchell Hut, is a lovely hike through the forest back down the mountain. The wildflowers were in full bloom and offered great color contrast to the deep green hues of the lush pine forest. The final sight to see on this hike is Laughing Falls. Not as impressive as Takakkaw Falls but it is a nice place to stop and relax for a while before finishing the hike back to camp.
A final note. The infrastructure in Canada is fantastic and this campground is no different. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, and fire pit. The campground has bear lockers, a stainless-steel sink with running water, and what most in America would call a cabin. A fully enclosed structure with a door, 2 large picnic tables, and a wood burning stove. So, if the weather turns sour you won't be confined to your tent.