Yoho National Park.

[One of my hobbies has for decades been doing jigsaw puzzles. Last year I was doing a puzzle named Yoho NP. A beautiful picture, I decided to see where it is. When I noticed that it would not be all that far off my trip to AK, I resolved to put it on my list. So glad I did. The puzzle is on my kitchen wall.]

Rocky Mountain House was a lovely place to stop before heading into the mountains. After lunch I continued along highway 11 through the Rocky Mountain Forest Reserve to Banff NP, where I turned south. At Lake Louise I picked up highway 1, over Kicking Horse Pass and into Yoho NP. As if on cue, as I entered the mountains it started to rain.

Seemed strange, but I had to pay to transit through Banff NP (where I was not going to stay), but was not charged for entry into Yoho NP (where I was planning to spend some time).

Again the visitor centre was my first stop. Two places were accessible, and they were two of the most popular. The upper two campgrounds were full, but there was ample space in the lower - Hoodoo - campground. It was self registration on a first come best dressed basis.

Spent some time in the little village of Field - where the visitor centre is. A lovely little place with probably half a dozen streets and a (freight only) railway crossing. The latter is an important feature of the town, as it cuts the town in half. When one of these mile or two mile long freight trains comes through, at a snail's pace. You can wait up to 20 mins to get to the other part of town. On the other hand, it was a great conversation piece, and small boys, and their not so small fellow travellers were kept entertained counting carriages and timing the passing of the lot.

By now it was mid afternoon, and pouring, and miserable. I enjoyed the scenery, as I had, from the car, as I headed down the mountain to the said campground. As I approached I decided that this was not the weather in which I wanted to enjoy a NP campground, and continued on to Golden, where there is a Husky truckstop.

Down the mountain I went, out of the park, only to face a sign stating Ten Mile Hill. I never did measure if it is actually 10 miles, but what I do know is that it is STEEP and winds down the mountain. A hell of a ride. Car in low gear, I still had to use the brakes.

Golden was welcoming, despite the continuing rain, with good wifi at Maccas and ample room at Husky with a whole block next to them for RVs, Trucks, Campers, etc.

Next morning it was back up Ten Mile Hill to go see the specific attractions I had been advised. First was Natural Bridge, which was really impressive and a good spot for great photos. Then onto Takakkawa Falls, 254 metres high and fed by Daly Glacier, 350 metres from the Falls. Took many photos here, from every angle, as I was able to get all around the area and almost to the base. If I had got any closer I would have been drenched.

Among some of the highest falls in North America and the third highest in Canada, the falls actually break a quarter of the way down, and continue to the valley floor. If it weren't for my love of jigsaw puzzles, I may never have seen them.

Another ride down Ten Mile Hill followed, and I continued my scenic ride to Sicamous, where I had stayed at the Husky last AK trip. They have a good restaurant, with great staff willing to please, and wifi!

Husky Sicamous BC

(Odo - 144955)

Lifey