Iceline to Whaleback to Twin Falls

Twin Falls

Twin Falls. Yoho Nat Park

August 3 Wednesday 2016

Hiking the Iceline trail to Celeste lake, Whaleback trail and onto Twin Falls, passing Laughing Falls on the way back. I have hiked and described The Iceline Trail on this link.  https://willski.ca/iceline-trail-yoho/  The trail begins at Takakkaw Falls. Turn off Hwy 1 near Field to the Kicking Horse Campground and the Cathedral Mountain Chalets. It is about 0.5 km to the Whiskey Jack Hostel, crossing the road to the trail head. 1.3 km to the Yoho Pass Trail to Emerald Lake. 4.5 km to the Celeste lake right turn. The views are spectacular with Micheal Peak and the Vice President  with the lower portion of the Emerald Glacier on your left. To the right is Takakkaw Falls and the Daly Glacier feeding out of the Waputik Icefields with Mt Niles and Mt Daly. We then decided not to go to the Stanley Mitchell ACC Hut but drop down to Celeste Lake. Just before the lake we were fortunate to watch an Alpine Helicopter land right in front of us and drop off a trial worker. I called him Mr. Happy as he was very grumpy and I think he liked his own company better than ours. Past Celeste Lake it is not far to Little Yoho Valley Trail, which is 4.2 km from the Iceline Trail. Cross a bridge over the river and in 0.1 km turn left up the endless switchbacks of the Whaleback Trail 4.0 km to Twin Falls. Great views of more glaciers to the north at the top of the trail. Drop down to the stream that feeds Twin Falls and over the bridge. Take a look at the view down to Twin Falls Chalet. More switchbacks down the 2.7 km trail to the view point of Twin Falls and the Chalet. We chose to take the 1.5 km trail to Twin Falls Campground. Marpole Connector Trail is an alternative. I read it was a bit boring. 2.3 km to the Laughing Falls and another 4.5 km along the Yoho River back to the car. Thanks to Vince and David for coming out with me on what looked like being a wet day but turned into great day in Yoho Park.

Takakkaw falls

Takakkaw falls

Turn to over to Burgess and Emerald lake

Yoho Pass trail to Emerald Lake

Below the glacier with Takakkaw Falls

On the Iceline Trail with Takakkaw Falls behind.

The junction for Celeste lake right or Stanley Mitchell Hut

The junction for Celeste lake right or Stanley Mitchell Hut

One worker exited with a chain saw for trail maintenance.

One worker exited with a chain saw for trail maintenance.

Celeste lake

Celeste lake

Little Yohi River bridge just before the Whaleback turn

Little Yoho River bridge just before the Whaleback turn

Plaque at top of Whaleback

Plaque at top of Whaleback

View of trail leaving top of Whaleback

View of trail leaving top of Whaleback

Vince on the bridge

Vince on the bridge above Twin Falls.

Twin Falls Chalet

Twin Falls Chalet from the top of Twin Falls

Trail switchbacks down to the bottom of the falls

Trail switchbacks down to the bottom of the falls and Twin Falls Chalet

Twin Falls Chalet

Twin Falls Chalet

Laughing Fall coming from the Yoho River

Laughing Falls coming from the Yoho River

IcelineWhaleback

IcelineWhaleback Profile

 

Distance return 26.1 km Time return 8:50 hrs ( inc 30 min lunch ) Elevation Accumulated gain 1222 m Elevation to Summit 685 m Summit height 2210 m

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One of the many glaciers viewed from Whaleback

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One of the many glaciers viewed from Whaleback

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