This is an easy, interesting and scenic hike that starts along the Lake O'Hara shoreline, turns uphill via a short series of switchbacks and then enters an otherworldly plateau of loose talus and scree before ascending alongside Victoria Falls on stone steps constructed by Lawrence Grassi. After skirting the shorelines of two lovely little lakes, a short slope up through a break in the cliffs leads to the rocky slabs above scenic Lake Oesa.
Opabin West and East trails anchor an easy loop to Opabin Plateau - a beautiful, rocky hanging valley above Lake O'Hara. The plateau is dotted with multiple alpine lakes, offers spectacular views of Lake O'Hara valley and is criss-crossed by a network of trails that pass multiple waterfalls, larch trees and more.
This limited access area of Yoho National Park is named for Lake O'Hara. But Lake McArthur, situated in a hanging valley surrounded on three sides by Schaffer Ridge, Mount Biddle and Park Mountain, is roughly twice the size of Lake O'Hara, and definitely worth a visit.
It's early June and the mountains are calling. Canada's highest public paved road is snow free but closed to motor vehicles until June 15th. What to do? Join the steady stream of cyclists and pedal to the summit of Highwood Pass!
A portion of the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area is open to the public and features a network of trails that provides access to a range of natural habitats plus mountain and city views. It's a quiet place to enjoy nature, just a few minutes outside Calgary's southwest city limits. Road construction in Calgary's SW quadrant make the drive a bit of an ordeal, but once the SW ring road is completed, access will be quick and easy.