Global Adventure - Day Hiking, Camping, and Fossil Sighting in Canada's Yoho National Park

Activity Description

Yoho National Park, in the Canadian Rockies, is the site of perhaps the most important fossil discovery of all time. After finding a single strange fossil in 1909, paleontologist Charles Walcott returned to the area in 1910 and discovered a rich bed of well preserved fossils from the Cambrian era. These are the oldest known fossils of complex, multicellular life, and their exquisite detail of soft body parts is unique. Hundreds of new species have been discovered and subsequent excavations continue to discover new species every year. Due to the extraordinary scientific value of the fossil beds (known as the Burgess Shales), they are closed to the general public and can only be visited on special guided tours, which we will do.

Yoho National Park also hosts exquisite mountains, glaciers, alpine lakes, and waterfalls. In addition to visiting the fossil beds, we will explore the scenic wonders of the park at the height of wildflower season.

The trip includes one day for arrivals (August 12), one day for departures (August 17), and 4 days of day hiking. We will spend five nights camping in a centrally located campground and will take two day hikes exploring the area and then two guided tours to fossil beds. The hikes will be strenuous, with distances up to 14 miles and elevation gains of between 2600 and 3300 feet each day. Nearly all of the hiking is on well built National Park trails (the only exception is the final 400 feet of elevation on the ranger-led hike to the Walcott Quarry). The hikes reach elevations of between 7,000 and 8,000 feet, and one requires hiking poles. We may encounter some late-season snow fields on some of the hikes. Participants will need to be fit enough to handle four consecutive days of strenuous hiking at these elevations.

The trip starts on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 12th when we gather at the Takakkaw Falls Campground and set up our tents. Please arrive between 2 pm and 4 pm. Note that even though Yoho National Park is in British Columbia, it will be on Mountain Daylight Time (like Alberta) and an hour ahead of the rest of British Columbia and Seattle, which will be on Pacific Daylight Time. Once everyone has arrived and we have set up our tents, we will drive to the Truffle Pigs (the only restaurant in Field) for a Welcome Dinner. The Truffle Pigs menu includes vegetarian and gluten free options. We will pay for one appetizer, one main dish, and one dessert per person. You are responsible for your own drinks.

Wednesday the 13th we will hike a loop trail that starts at our campground and first heads past several waterfalls and into the Little Yoho Valley - a vast alpine meadow carpeted in wildflowers. We then climb to a rock bench and traverse under the imposing Emerald Glacier along the Iceline Trail to Yoho Lake from where we descend to our campground. This gorgeous hike is 13.5 miles long with 2900 feet of elevation gain. The high point is at 7275 feet. There are several options to shorten this loop hike if necessary.

Thursday the 14th we will drive to the gorgeous Emerald Lake resort (17 miles, 30 minutes) and will hike a loop trail that steeply climbs to Burgess Pass, then traverses the shoulder of Wapata Mountain to Yoho Pass, before dropping down to Emerald Lake and the Emerald Lake Lodge. This spectacular hike is 10.2 miles long with 3300 feet of elevation gain. The high point is at 7220 feet. After the hike, you will have the option of purchasing your dinner at one of the Lodge’s restaurants or bars.

On Friday the 15th a ranger will lead us to the Walcott Quarry, site of the famous Burgess Shale fossils. We will meet the ranger at our campground parking lot at 7:00 am. We will hike up to Yoho Lake (visited late on Wednesday’s hike) then hike to Yoho pass and traverse the side of Wapata Mountain (like we did on Thursday) until we are under the Walcott Quarry. The Park describes the final section to the quarry as a “short but steep hill on rocky terrain”. This hike is not advised for people with recurring knee, back, or ankle injuries. At the Quarry the ranger will show us specimens of the fossils. We will return the way we came, arriving at the campground around 6:00 pm. The total distance is about 14 miles with 2800 feet of elevation gain. The high point is at 7640 feet.

On Saturday the 16th, we will drive to the Yoho Visitor Centre in the town of field (10 miles, 25 minutes) and meet the ranger at 7:00 am. You are required to bring a trekking pole or walking stick on this tour. We will walk from the Visitor Center through the small town of Field to the base of Mt Stephen. We will then climb the Mt Stephen trail to the rich trilobite fossil beds. This difficult and steep trail gains 2640 feet in 2.5 miles. The fossil beds are at 6800 feet in elevation. We will return to the Visitor Centre around 2:30. You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the quaint town of Field. In addition to the Visitor Centre (which has good exhibits on the Burgess Shales, the spiral railroad tunnel, and local wildlife), there is a pottery gallery, several Bed and Breakfasts, and a cafe (The Siding). If the weather is warm enough, enjoy a swim in the Kicking Horse River. After exploring the town, we will again gather at the Truffle Pigs for our Farewell Banquet.

On Sunday the 17th, we will eat our breakfast, break camp, and say goodbye.

NOTE: The Canadian Rockies are known for their unpredictable and sometimes wet weather, so our itinerary can change without notice and sections may be modified or dropped. The priority will always be safety for all participants.

Time of Year

The best time to visit Yoho National Park is from mid-July to mid-September when the weather is most stable, most hiking trails are snow-free, and the alpine wildflowers are in bloom, making it ideal for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing; however, this is also the busiest time of year.

Weather

The weather in Yoho National Park can range widely. The average daily high temperature in August is between 55⁰ and 65⁰ F, but it can be quite a bit colder higher up on the mountains. The nighttime low temperature averages around 25⁰ to 30⁰ F, but can be quite a bit colder. August is one of the driest months in the Canadian Rockies, but even then, some rain falls on half of the days and average rainfall is about 2.6 inches in August. For comparison, Mt Rainier National Park averages about 1.5 inches of rain in August. Wildfire smoke can be a problem.

Lodging

Camping sites in the National Park are scarce. We were only able to secure reservations for two adjacent campground sites, each with room for a four-person tent. We might be able to fit two 2-person tents on the tent pad, but we won’t know if they will fit until we get there. We will bring both 4-person tents and 2-person tents and see what we can do. If we are forced to use 4-person tents, participants on this trip must agree to be willing to sleep in a four-person tent with other participants, who may or may not be of the same gender. If we are able to use 2-person tents, participants must agree to be willing to sleep in a two-person tent with another participant, who may or may not be of the same gender. If possible, we will use tents already owned by the participants. Once the roster is finalized, the leader will ask participants whether they own any two-person or four-person tents that they are willing to share with the group. If there are plenty of tents offered, we will bring the two largest four-person tents and the four largest two-person tents. No participant is required to provide a tent.

Takakkaw Falls campground is a “walk-in” campground, meaning that our cars will be parked about a thousand feet (one fifth of a mile) from our tent sites. Wheelbarrows are provided to aid in transporting your gear. You will need to carry your gear to the tent sites, including your tent, sleeping bag, camping mattress, pots, pans, and utensils, food, and clothing. If possible, we will use gas stoves already owned by the participants. Once the roster is finalized, the leader will ask participants whether they own any gas stoves that they are willing to share with the group. No participant is required to provide a stove.

The campground provides outhouses, cooking shelters and picnic shelters, and bear-proof food lockers. There are no showers or laundry facilities. There is no cell phone reception and no wifi in the campground. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in National Parks.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for getting to the Takakkaw Falls campground in Yoho National Park at the start of the trip. Takakkaw Falls campground is about a ten to twelve hour drive from Seattle. Participants will use their own cars or organize their own carpools for the short drives between trailheads, restaurants, and the campground. None of these drives is longer than half an hour.

Food

The trip provides a Welcoming Dinner on Tuesday August 12th and a Final Banquet on Saturday August 16th. Participants are responsible for their own food for all of the other meals and snacks. There are no opportunities to purchase groceries in Field. The nearest grocery store is in Golden, 35 miles to the west. Participants are expected to bring all of the food they will need for the duration of the trip when they arrive (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, and all snacks). Yoho is in bear country; participants are expected to maintain a clean campsite and to store food either in their car, in bear canisters, or in food lockers at the campground.

Leader Experience

Andy has led more than 400 trips for the Mountaineers, mostly scrambles, but also some hikes and some trail runs. He has instructed at numerous Mountaineer courses including Navigation, Scrambling, and Trail Running. This will be Andy’s first trip to Yoho National Park and his first time leading a Global Adventure trip.

Participant Responsibilities

Participants must bring everything they need for four days of hiking (such as a day pack, sturdy hiking boots, food and water, appropriate clothing, and the Ten Essentials) and for five nights of camping (such as sleeping bag, sleeping pad, food, plates, cups, and utensils, personal hygiene equipment, and a headlamp). In addition, participants must bring bear spray and a walking/trekking pole.

Participants must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file.

This outing includes hiking on rugged terrain (including some steep moraines, boulders, and scree slopes with moderate exposure). The hikes are strenuous, with distances of up to 14 miles and elevation gains of up to 3600 feet. For all these reasons, participants need to be in excellent condition with good balance and confidence traveling on rough, sometimes steep terrain including moderate exposure at times, and with the experience and willingness to pack appropriately and to deal with cold and/or wet weather for extended periods. Recent experience with multi-day strenuous backpacking, scrambling, or hiking, plus a positive attitude and a demonstrated ability to get along well with groups under demanding conditions, will be very important. You are required to bring a trekking pole or a hiking pole on the final day’s hike.

Participants are required to have international medical and emergency evacuation insurance. Cancel for Any Reason Insurance is strongly recommended - insurance is not included in the trip price.

We will be sleeping in a primitive campground for five nights with no showers or laundry. Participants must be willing to share tents with other participants who may or may not be of the same gender.

The weather in the Canadian Rockies in August is often wonderful, but it can be wet and windy and cold. Summertime thunderstorms or snow storms can occur. Participants must bring appropriate clothing for a range of conditions, from hot and sunny to cold, wet, and snowy.

For safety, participants must bring bear spray. Bear spray can be brought across the border as long as the container is clearly labelled for use on animals and is under 500 ml. Once we gather in Takakkaw Falls, the leader will discuss safety during thunderstorms.

NOTE:  The leader’s trip objectives, expectations and style are detailed in this document.   By registering for the trip, the participant understands and accepts these fundamentals and agrees to support them during the trip.

NOTE: Leaders of Global Adventure trips do the planning, make most of the arrangements, and provide logistics support during the trip but they are NOT tour guides! As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe. You must have the ability to navigate on trails with a map and compass.

Considerations for Travel to Canada

Start by reviewing the latest regulations. Look for information on border crossing and travel to Canada on these websites:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation)
• Government of Canada

Everyone must have a passport or other valid ID like a NEXUS card. NEXUS cards can save a lot of time but only work if everyone in the car has one. Border crossing regulations are strict in both directions. Know what you’re allowed to take and declare everything to avoid problems.

Make sure your vehicle insurance and your health insurance is valid for Canada.

You may be able to save time by checking alternate border crossings.

See the Travel Industry Council of Ontario's 9 Travel Tips for Crossing the Canadian/U.S. Land Border blog post for some good tips on traveling to Canada.

Covid Policy

Participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID, flu and RSV, including current boosters, prior to the trip departure. Participants are encouraged to avoid activities in the weeks before the trip that involve large groups in closed spaces without wearing a mask. In addition, participants are strongly encouraged to wear a mask during your trip to the starting place (in airports and on planes and other transit). You must bring a minimum of two covid self-tests on the trip to use if you have symptoms.

If you do test positive or develop a fever, you will need to work with your trip leader to arrange quarantine accommodations. You will be responsible for making your own alternate bookings and arranging transport to get there. Quarantine accommodation and alternative transportation plans are at the expense of the participant. Consider this when purchasing trip insurance. For the complete policy, visit the link here.

Trip Price Detail

The trip costs $550. An initial deposit of $275 is required when registering (this is what is listed at the top of the trip listing on the website) and the remaining $275 will be due May 1.

It includes the costs of the ranger led tour of the Walcott Quarry and the ranger led tour of the Mount Stephen Trilobite beds, five nights camping fees, a Welcoming Dinner at the Truffle Pigs and a Final Banquet at the Truffle Pigs. 

Not included are:

• Entrance fees to the park (11.00 CAD (or 9.50 CAD if you are 65 or older) per day). (If you are visiting other National Parks before or after the trip, you should consider buying an annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass for 75.25 CAD (or 64.50 CAD if you are 65 or older).)
• Except for the two provided meals, no other food is provided. You are responsible for bringing your own food for five breakfasts, four lunches, three dinners, and all of your snacks. There are no grocery stores inside the park.
• Costs to drive to Yoho. Yoho is 500 to 650 miles from Seattle (depending on which route you choose) and will take ten to twelve hours. I would like everyone to arrive at the Takakkaw campground between 2 pm and 4 pm on Tuesday, so unless you plan to start driving in the middle of the night, you should plan on starting your drive on or before Monday and stopping along the way. (Assuming an average cost of 50 cents per mile, a distance of about 600 miles, a night’s lodging of about $100, and $50 for food, the drive from Seattle to Yoho could cost $450 or more.)
• Emergency Evacuation and Emergency Medical insurance.

Registration Instructions

An application form and leader approval is required before registering. Please submit your application forms by April 1, using the link below.

The leader will review the applications and may reach out with additional questions. If you’re selected for the trip, you will be notified and will have until May 1 to register and pay the first 50% deposit ($275).

It may take up to two weeks to evaluate the applications. Leaders will select applicants based on the best fit with the participant requirements - approval is NOT based on the order in which people applied.

APPLICATION FORM

TRIP AGREEMENT FORM

RELEASE FORM

Cancellation Policy

If someone can be found to take your place on the trip, you will receive a refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. If nobody can be found to take your place on the trip, you will receive no refund.

Arrive at the Takakkaw campground parking lot between 2:00 and 4:00 pm on Tuesday, August 12. Note that Yoho National Park is on Mountain Daylight Time, which is an hour ahead of Pacific Daylight Time. 

We’ll finish our Yoho trip on the morning of Sunday Aug 17, right after taking down the tents and eating breakfast.

Getting There

Yoho National Park Visitor Centre, in the town of Field, British Columbia, is a ten to twelve hour drive from Seattle. It can also be reached in a two and a half hour drive from the Calgary International Airport. The Takakkaw Falls Campground is a 25 minute (11 miles) drive northeast from the Visitors Centre.