Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and the Biddle Glacier, the deep-blue lake and colorful alpine meadows are an unforget-
table panorama.
Odaray Highline
• Length: 2.6 kilometers/1.6 miles (1 hour) one-way
• Elevation gain: 280 meters/920 feet
• Rating: easy/moderate
• Trailhead: Le Relais
For a panoramic overview of the Lake O'Hara area with a minimum of energy output,
it's hard to beat this trail, which ends atop the Odaray Plateau west of the lake. This trail
passes through an important wildlife corridor, and a voluntary program to limit use—and
therefore human interference—is in place. Check with park staff for the latest access re-
strictions. From Le Relais, follow the Lake McArthur Trail to Schèffer Lake as detailed
previously, then take the right fork, which climbs gently toward McArthur Pass. Just be-
fore the pass, take the right fork. From this point, it's a steep one kilometer (0.6 mile) up
to the lofty perch below Odaray Mountain.
Cathedral Basin
• Length: 7.5 kilometers/4.7 miles (2.5 hours) one-way
• Elevation gain: 300 meters/980 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: Lake O'Hara Campground
The trail out to Cathedral Basin is the longest in the Lake O'Hara area, yet it's still an easy
day trip for most people. Reach the trailhead from Le Relais by walking the short distance
back down the access road or by following Cataract Creek downstream from behind the
warden's cabin. From the campground the trail heads northwest, crossing Morning Glory
Creek at the 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) mark, then passing Linda Lake. The final ascent to
Cathedral Basin makes a wide loop through an area of ancient rock slides. From this point,
the magnificent panorama of the Lake O'Hara area and the backdrop of the Continental
Divide are laid out to the southeast.
MM BURGESS SHALE
High on the rocky slopes above Field is a layer of sedimentary rock known as the Burgess
Shale, which contains what are considered to be the world's finest fossils from the Cambri-
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