Iceline Trail - Moderate Pace - Sun, Jul 9 2006

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Iceline Trail - Moderate Pace (7/9/2006)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Yoho National Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Jul 9 2006 10:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 7:00 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Jul 8 2006 11:59 PM

Event Duration:

5 hrs hiking

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Jennifer D
Rhonda S
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members & Guests, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

11 (Log in to see who's signed up.)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Distance: 14km
Elevation: 500m

We will do an in-and-out version of the Iceline trail (not the longer loop trip).

A desolate yet dramatic route beside Emerald Glacier and the President Range, with expansive views across Yoho Valley.

The Iceline is a dramatic, alpine trail that traverses limestone and talus beside Emerald Glacier. To reach this stark land of rock and ice entails a stiff climb from the floor of Yoho Valley, but you are rewarded along the way with expansive views over the valley to spectacular 380-m Takakkaw Falls.

The narrow trail leaves Whiskey Jack's parking area and climbs quickly through lush vegetation, with good views back to the falls. Takakkaw is a Cree Indian word for magnificent - and it certainly is. The trail winds steeply up the hillside, entering denser, old growth forest after 10 minutes. Switchback steeply through large spruce trees, accompanied by the constant roar of Takakkaw.

At 1.1 km, keep ahead where a trail branches left to Hidden Lake. The switchbacks now cease but you continue the steep climb to a second junction 0.2 km later. Turn right towards The Iceline, and the steep switchbacks resume. As you approach treeline, there are fabulous views directly across Yoho Valley of Takakkaw and Daly Glacier. Meltwater from the glacier, part of the Waputik Icefield, produces the spectacular falls. The gradient eases as you cross a boulder-strewn slope, and then a further climb takes you to a junction at 2.6 km. The Highline Trail, which runs to Yoho Lake and Pass, is to the left; you turn right, onto The Iceline.

The trail continues to climb, over the rubble of a glacial moraine. Wide views open up to the right of the cliffs of Yoho Valley. Around 3.7 km, the massive eastern flank of The Vice President finally appears to the left, and beneath it the immense Emerald Glacier. Desolate talus surrounds you, offset by the magnificent mountains and conifer slopes of Yoho Valley. The scene is wild, dramatic, and austere.

Now begins the highlight of the trail, as it traverses the barren rock and moraine beside Emerald Glacier. The route, over smooth limestone slabs, is lined with rocks and occasional cairns. Streams of water from the glacier run over the slabs and boulders. The trail crosses rolling moraines and passes a gray-green glacial pool, heading steadily north-west. Other peaks and glaciers reveal themselves as you crest successive moraines. A meadow to the right bridges the barren talus of The Iceline and the forested Yoho Valley (the Celeste Lake Connector - see below - runs through here). The views get ever more impressive the further you go.

Around 6 km, just beyond the outlet stream of a second glacial lake, the trail divides. Right leads to Celeste Lake, an alternative return route. Bear left to continue on The Iceline for about 0.8 km (10-15 minutes), gently climbing to the highest point on the trail. Clamber up a mound on the right for an improved view of the landscape surrounding you: vast swathes of tarn-dotted talus, barren peaks and glaciers of Yoho Valley and the President Range, and Mount McArthur and Isolated Peak across Little Yoho Valley to the north-west.

The Iceline continues across the talus and past a third lake before dropping down into forested Little Yoho. But, for the day hiker, this highpoint makes an ideal turning-round point. You can savor the wilderness of ice and rock as you again traverse the moraines of Emerald Glacier on your return to the trailhead.

Note that this trip requires driving up the steep/bumpy road to Takkakaw Falls.

Required Items to Bring:
National Park Pass or $ for entry to the park

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

From Calgary head west on the Trans Canada Hwy past the Alberta / BC Border. Less then 4 km from Field, BC, take the Yoho Valley Road. Once you are by the Takakkaw Falls, park on the road beside Whiskey Jack Hostel -it is a short walk to trailhead.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

500Km

Carpool Departure Time:

7:00 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $150.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.30, effective Saturday, April 20, 2024). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

Wondering why I put more spots on my slowpoke trips than on the moderate trips? Well, I figure that, generally speaking, the slowpokes are less experienced hikers than those signing up for moderate trips, and therefore are less likely to have the skills and knowledge required to coordinate their own trips. Those who are interested in going at a moderate pace are more often experienced hikers who can coordinate a trip of their own if they can't get onto one of my trips. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at boss@calgaryoutdoorclub.com if you're interested in coordinating a hike.
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Cost & Payment:

Voluntary Donations:

Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: