Thursday 13 November 2008

Hiking Trails - Takakkaw Loop

Today’s post is about Takakkaw Falls and the hike will begin next Thursday.

Takakkaw Falls is located in Yoho National Park, near Field, British Columbia. Its highest point is 384 m (1260 feet), making it the second-highest officially measured waterfall in western Canada, after Della Falls on Vancouver Island. However its true "free-fall" is only 254 m.



"Takakkaw" is derived from the Cree word for "it is wonderful". The falls are fed by the Daly Glacier, which keeps the volume of the falls up during the warm summer months, and are a tourist attraction, particularly in late spring after the heavy snow melts, when the falls are at peak condition. The Takakkaw Falls were featured in the 1995 film Last of the Dogmen.

To reach the falls from the East, follow the Trans-Canada Highway for 23 km west of Lake Louise until Yoho Valley Road. When accessing from the West, drive 3.7 km east of Field on the Trans-Canada Highway and turn left on Yoho Valley Road. Follow this road for 13 km to the parking lot. A short hiking trail leads to the base of the falls. Note that Yoho Valley Road is narrow with two steep switchbacks and thus is not recommended for large RVs or trailers. RVs over 8m (24 feet) must go up the second section of the switchbacks backwards. Information on how to do this is available at the information centre in Field. Trailers must be left at a designated drop-off point near the start of the road across from Monarch Campground. The road opens in late June (usually the last weekend in June) and closes for the year usually in October after the first heavy snowfall.




Research: wikipedia, ParksCanada.

12 comments:

Philip said...

WOW I loved the video we dont get these waterfalls here really enjoyed it Thanks !!

Webradio said...

There is a good walk Barbara...

Thank You...

Gary's third pottery blog said...

wonder what it is like BEHIND the falls, huh?

David Cranmer said...

I enjoyed this video. Absolutely majestic and powerful but also very peaceful to watch.

Charles Gramlich said...

Wish I was going along on the hike.

A said...

Great, it feel like to cry.

Barbara Martin said...

Philip, it was my pleasure to provide this video to reveal the power and beauty of the waterfall. The photographs in the following posts do not really show the water in its proper element.

Webradio, during the hiking to follow in the subsequent weeks are more waterfalls.

Gary, I imagine wet rock.

Barbara Martin said...

David, the sound and sight of running water has a magical effect on most people.

Charles, well you can, from your chair in the next four weeks.

Marie, beautiful scenes of nature are known to evoke strong emotions in people. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

Barrie said...

I would love the hike. But I could never drive an RV backwards. Actually, I've never driven an RV forwards! Barbara, you do come up with the most interesting posts!

BernardL said...

Incredible video. Just the sound of it makes the hair stand up on the back of the neck.

laughingwolf said...

beauty, another place new to me :)

Barbara Martin said...

Barrie, once I had to backup a 24-foot stock trailer down a narrow lane to the road because at the top of the lane there was not enough room for me to turn around. This was years ago when I went to pick up horses in Walnut Creek, California.

Bernard, if you felt the neck hair stand up, I'm surprised there wasn't spray coming out of your computer.

Tony, there are gems all over our country, it's just a matter of finding them.