Day 8: Yoho National Park

This morning we took advantage of the chance for a later start and slept in until 8:30 a.m.

Yoho National Park is an hour away and something we drove past on the way to Banff. We had wanted to spend a full day exploring it and today was that day.

The weather was a bit challenging with pouring rain at Takakkaw Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Canada, but we rallied for a quick visit.

Next up was Natural Bridge for a car picnic lunch due to the continued rain and then another quick visit to the bridge in the lighter sprinkles.

Finally, Emerald Lake was the last stop, for a 3 mile hike. As soon as we found parking the rain stopped–what luck! There were super-beautiful views, especially the second half, even with mountain tops hiding in the clouds.

On the way home we took the Bow Valley Parkway (which basically parallels Trans-Canada Highway) and were treated to an elk (also known as a wapiti) grazing right next to the road along with other impressive sights.

We also stopped at a well-known point overlooking Morant’s Curve.

The silliness increased in front of Castle Mountain.

We finally made it back to the campsite. Another full day in the books.