Laura carefully negotiating the rocks above Linda Lake.
August 4, 2022, Morning Glory and Linda Lake out and back, 12 km, 318 m elevation gain, 318 m elevation loss, 4hrs 33 mins.
Day three hike in Pink.
Elevation Profile Day 3. It was not as tough as it looked. The elevation difference from is at most 180 m.
It is a wet tent but dry inside and that’s what counts.
It was lightly raining on the tent when I woke up. After listening to the rain drip drop on the tent I decided I may as well get up and warm up with coffee and breakfast. We were protected by the tree somewhat in our campsite but getting out of dry tent into the rain is never a motivating prospect. I was out of the tent by 6:45 am and went off to find somewhere dry to prepare breakfast.
Going to make breakfast inside one of the cook cabins. Looks like someone is trying to get a fire going.
Luckily for us camping at Lake O’Hara is backcountry glamping. The campground comes complete with two cook shelters that are perfect for cooking when it is wet or cold out. The cook shelters come complete with a small wood burning stove to add a little heat and atmosphere to what is a dark and spartan little cabin.
7:05 am and water in on the boil for coffee.
We have a small and unenthusiastic fire. A couple of windows in the back wall would have brightened the shelters up.
The warmth from the fire and the ability to sit comfortably in the dry made for an enjoyable breakfast. Our plan was to get on the trail quickly so that we could return to camp and be ready to take the 2:30 pm shuttle back to the car. We were going to explore the north west area of Lake O’Hara and hike the Linda Lakes Morning Glory Loop. It was still lightly raining as we back our bags. As we made our way to the trailhead the campground had come alive with activity.
Interesting little storage hut for extra equipment. We did not utilize the hut.
Lots of people including some little ones having breakfast in the drizzle. Laura doing her best to stay dry. Our trail starts at the big rock in distance. Just to the left of the person in a red jacket is the Parks Canada sign in that is in the picture below.
Looks like where we want to go. It is 9:05 am not exactly an early start.
Laura on trail. She is happy, really she is.
We have actually hiked 2.8 km. We chose to go right (straight on the sign) to Linda Lakes. 9:37 am.
It has stopped raining out. Laura looking pleased. It is 9:03 am and we have arrived at Linda Lakes. It took us just over an hour to hike the 4 km from the campground. The new Parks Canada signs do not show distances or the elevation of the location of interest, something I feel is a major omission.
Moody day at Linda Lake with Odaray Mt (3159 m) as a backdrop.
Laura and Odaray Mt.
The clouds were going to limit our vertical views but the focus on this hike was always going to be the flowers that populate the meadows.
Hippies on a Stick (Western pasqueflowers) one our favourite flowers. The water droplets adds some sparkle.
I love the added texture added by the water drops. Leafy Aster (aster foliaceus)
Saw these markers on numerous trees but I have no idea what they are for.
Heart Leaved Arnica (Arnica cordifolia).
Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum)
Looking South to Mt Schaffer on the right and the west peak of Yukness Mt on the left.
Pink mountain heather (Phyllococe empetriformis).
Looking east across Linda Lake to West Wiwaxy Peak.
We are taking the trail to Cathedral Lakes but are not intending on going all the way to the lakes.
It has started to rain again. There is a group in front of us but we are losing our motivation to continue.
I did say this hike was about the flowers.
Wildlife alert.
Red Paintbrush in full bloom.
Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia flavescens).
Me and my poncho.
Laura heading uphill over an old rockfall.
Heather making its home on a rock. The roots secrete an acid that dissolves the rock to produce a soil that the plant can utilize for nutrients.
The rain has gone away leave a wet but happy Laura.
Looking north to Cathedral Mt.
I love the colour of the water and the clarity but I think it also is an indication of little life in the lake.
Linda Lake and Odaray Mt.
Leaving Linda Lake and heading to Morning Glory Lakes.
Lucky us we get to follow the path on the right. Not exactly the yellow brick road.
It is soft underfoot with a blanket of pine needles covering the trail.
A small (maybe large) waterfall draining the snowfields of Odaray Mt that feeds Morning Glory Lakes.
It is a pretty trail that weaves it way between the trees and the meadows. The trail is known as the Beeline.
We came from Linda Lake via the Beeline.
I do think it is amusing that no current map indicates the Beeline but the new Parks Canada signs have the trail name displayed. It was a quick 200 m descent down to the junction with trail 34 Upper Morning Glory. We stopped and waited as a group of about 15 hikers came by. I asked one of them who the group was and it was an Alpine Club of Canada hike for people staying at the Elizabeth Parker Hut.
Old Map of Lake O’Hara area. Trail #12 is the Linda Lake Beeline. While not clear the description from Parks Canada implies that the Beeline connects Morning Glory Lakes to Linda Lake.
Looking north across Morning Glory Lake. 12 pm and we have hiked 7.5 km.
No mention of the Beeline. We are headed left to the ACC (Elizabeth Parker Hut) a distance of about 2.5 km.
Saxifraga Bronchialis.
Elevated view of Morning Glory Lake.
Laura standing at the top of a very fine trail.
Small pond with the Elizabeth Parker Hut hiding in the trees and Mt Schaffer looming over it all.
A very moody looking Lake O’Hara. 1:10 pm.
Arrived back a the campground after a wonderful hike. Photo taken just 15 minutes after the previous photo, we have sunshine.
Comforting sign after a good day on the trail.
Sun is out but a fire is still nice.
Lunch time. Wraps, chips, salami and cottage cheese.
Afternoon coffee. Almost looks as if a barista made it.
That mid-afternoon coffee I promised Laura yesterday. 1:55 pm.
I do not remember exactly what time the shuttle came but I believe it was 2:30 pm. I was a little worried about whether there would be enough space for us on the shuttle but it was barely a quarter full. We enjoyed a quick if bumpy ridge back to the car. It did not take us long before we were on the road and just one hour to home. We were unsure of what carnage the boys and Margaux would have waiting for us but on arriving back home other than the over exuberant tail wagging and face licking by Margaux it pretty low key.
Our trip to Lake O’Hara was over too soon. It is a difficult place to book but the plan is to try and go back in a few years to revisit some places and explore some new trails. Each adventure brings its own unique awards.
