CANADIAN ROCKIES - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 491

Hiking
A basic trail map is available at Le Relais, or invest in the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide,
the premier hiking guide to the region (pick up a copy from the visitor center in Field).
The most obvious trail is the Lake O'Hara Shoreline, a 2.8-kilometer (1.7-mile) loop
that can be completed in 40 minutes. Starting from the warden's cabin across from Le
Relais, most visitors use sections of this circuit to access the other trails detailed here, but it
is an enjoyable walk in its own right, especially in the evening.
Three kilometers (1.9 miles) each way, the trail to Lake Oesa gains 240 meters (790
feet) of elevation before reaching a small aqua-colored lake surrounded by talus
slopes—one of the area's gems. The Continental Divide peaks of Mount Victoria (3,464
meters/11,365 feet) and Mount Lefroy (3,423 meters/11,230 feet) rise dramatically behind
the lake.
One of my favorite hikes in all of the Canadian Rockies is the 5.9-kilometer (3.7-mile)
Opabin Plateau Circuit, especially in late September, when larches have turned a golden
shade of yellow. Separated from Lake Oesa by 2,848-meter (9,344-foot) Mount Yukness,
this plateau high above the tree line is dotted with small lakes. Two trails lead up to the
plateau, which itself is laced with trails. The most direct route is the Opabin Plateau West
Circuit, which branches right from the Shoreline Trail 300 meters (0.2 mile) beyond Lake
O'Hara Lodge. It then passes Mary Lake, climbs steeply, and reaches the plateau in a little
less than two kilometers (1.2 miles). Opabin Prospect is an excellent lookout along the edge
of the plateau. From this point, take the right fork to continue to the head of the Cirque and
Opabin Lake. This section of trail passes through a lightly forested area of larch that comes
alive with color in late September.
Lake McArthur is the largest and (in my opinion) most stunning body of water in the
Lake O'Hara area. Beginning from behind Le Relais, the 3.5-kilometer (2.2-mile) access
trail passes Schäffer Lake after 1.6 kilometers (one mile). At a junction beyond that lake,
take the left fork, which climbs steeply for 800 meters (0.5 mile) then levels out and tra-
verses a narrow ledge before entering the Lake McArthur Cirque. (Stay high, even if trails
descending into the McArthur Valley look like they offer an easier approach.) After level-
ing off, the trail enters the alpine and quickly reaches its maximum elevation and the first
views of Lake McArthur. Backed by Mount Biddle and the Biddle Glacier, the deep-blue
lake and colorful alpine meadows are an unforgettable panorama.