Lake O'Hara

Lake O'Hara
Lake O'Hara from the Odaray Trail
Lake O'Hara is located in British Columbia
Lake O'Hara
Lake O'Hara
LocationYoho National Park, British Columbia
Coordinates51°21′21.25″N 116°19′49.60″W / 51.3559028°N 116.3304444°W / 51.3559028; -116.3304444
Primary outflowsCataract Brook
Basin countriesCanada
Surface elevation2,020 m (6,630 ft)
SettlementsNone
Odaray Mountain from Lake O'Hara

Lake O'Hara is a lake at an elevation of 2,020 metres (6,630 ft)[1] in the alpine area of Yoho National Park, in the province of British Columbia, on the western side of the Great Divide with the province of Alberta and Banff National Park to the east.[2] The lake and the valley are accessible through a bus service that is run by Parks Canada or by an 11 km hike along a road with an elevation gain of approximately 500m.[3]

The area is known for its scenery as well as its alpine hiking. Visitors often follow the climbing trails which ascend from Lake O'Hara to Lake Oesa and to Opabin Lake. The number of people who access the area by bus has been limited in order to preserve the sensitive alpine environment.

The area is named after Colonel Robert O'Hara, an Irishman from Derryhoyle, Craughwell, County Galway who heard about the area from J.J. McArthur, a government surveyor.[4]

The Elizabeth Parker Alpine Club Hut is in the Meadows about a 15-minute walk from the Lodge. It is a ski destination in the winter, with many skiers doing it as a day trip.

  1. ^ Altitude at daftlogic.com
  2. ^ "Lake O'Hara". BC Geographical Names.
  3. ^ "Parks Canada: Lake O'Hara". Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-08-21.
  4. ^ Patton, Brian (2007). Canadian Rockies Trail Guide. Summerthought Publishing. p. 270. ISBN 978-0-9782375-0-9.