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Twin Falls, Yoho National Park

 Twin Falls, Yoho Valley National Park

 (Twin Falls, Yoho NP)

 

In a region of dramatic scenery and jaw-dropping beauty, the Yoho Valley more than holds its own.  Situated in Canada's Rocky Mountains, it's one of the most amazing places I've ever visited.

 

The Yoho Valley Road is a few kilometers east of Field, British Columbia, just off the TransCanada Highway.  It's a dead end road and is only open during the summer months, but is very popular so don't expect to be alone.  Most who drive into the valley go just to see Takakkaw waterfall.... 

 

Yoho Valley -- Takakkaw FallsAt 384 m high (with 254 m “free fall"), Takakkaw — pronounced Tah-kuh-kah, Cree for “it is wonderful” — is the tallest of a number of memorable waterfalls you’ll find when exploring Yoho Valley.  It is also among Canada’s highest waterfalls.

  Yoho Valley -- viewed from near trailhead.

(Yoho Valley)

 

The Twin Falls hike begins at the parking area of Takakkaw Falls, and winds its way up the Yoho River, past a series of waterfalls, ending at a paired waterfall known as Twin Falls.   The trail is generally in good condition and there are plenty of rewards for your efforts.  You pass five waterfalls (several of which are  world-class).

 

What follows is a chronology of the hike to help you better understand the sights and terrain. 

 

i) The hike begins adjoining Takakkaw waterfalls campground.  A broad well-kept trail takes you upstream along the Yoho River.  About 2 kms in there are short turnoffs to Angels Staircase Falls and Pont Lace Falls.

 

Yoho River and its Valley

Cascade in the Yoho River (Yoho River, with a small cascade)

 

ii) Continue upriver towards Laughing Falls at 4.5 kms from the trailhead.  The hike to this point is relatively flat, with minimal elevation gain.

 

Yoho Valley -- Laughing Falls

Yoho Valley -- Laughing Falls

(Laughing Falls)

 

iii) From Laughing Falls you begin a moderate ascent to Twin Falls situated at about 8 kms. As you walk uphill look for clearings towards the west (left) for your first views of Twin Falls, a memorable waterfall even at a distance.

 

Yoho Valley -- Twin Falls Creek. Several kms from the waterfall

 (Twin Falls Creek, several km from Twin Falls)

 

iv) Twin Falls, as the name implies, is a paired waterfall that plummets over a 180 m limestone cliff.  It’s a common destination for day hikers to stop before they head back to the trailhead.  It’s certainly worth stopping here to look around.....

Yoho Valley -- Twin Falls

 

There’s the Twin Falls Chalet, a century old log cabin, a remnant of the Canadian Pacific travel days, where you can have tea or book a room (all must be reserved in advance). 

Twin Falls Chalet. Built in 1909 by the Canadian Pacific Railroad to provide services for tourists

Twin Falls Chalet plaque

 

There’s a short looped side-trail that allows different views of Twin Falls and Twin Falls Creek which is well worth your time and offers a number of places to rest and scenic places to enjoy your lunch....

Yoho Valley -- Twin Falls

Yoho Valley -- the mist of Twin Falls

 

v) From here you can turn back or do as I did, which is ascend the steep pitch up to the top of the waterfall.   It is an hour of strenuous hiking as you ascend to a plateau and walk towards the waterfall....

Views of Twin Falls Chalet and creek

yoho-valley-twin-falls-whaleback-021

Reaching the upper cliff, Twin Falls

 

vi) From the plateau’s edge you can approach the northern fall of Twin Falls and stand near it as it plummets over the cliff, deafened by the thunderous roar of the water....

Twin Falls precipice, Yoho Valley

Twin Falls precipice, Yoho Valley

Twin Falls precipice, Yoho ValleyTwin Falls Creek, upriver from Twin Falls

 

Better still is to take in the grand panorama of the beautiful Yoho Valley.....

Yoho Valley

Yoho Valley

Twin Falls precipice, Yoho Valley

 

Photos simply don’t do it justice!  Be sure you look to the northeast and see what you can of the Waputik Icefield.....

Yoho Valley Glacier

Yoho Valley and Waputik Icefield

 

vii)  From here you have the option of either doing the Whaleback trail, beautiful but lengthy, or returning the way you came.  Completely up to you and how adventuresome you are.  Regardless of your choice, you'll have lasting memories of a great day.

Attachments

Images (27)
  • Twin Falls precipice, Yoho Valley
  • Twin Falls, Yoho Valley National Park
  • Yoho Valley -- viewed from near trailhead.
  • Yoho Valley -- Takakkaw Falls
  • Yoho River and its Valley
  • Cascade in the Yoho River
  • Yoho Valley -- Laughing Falls
  • Yoho Valley -- Laughing Falls
  • Yoho Valley -- Little Yoho River.  Downriver from Laughing Falls
  • Yoho Valley -- Twin Falls Creek.  Several kms from the waterfall
  • Twin Falls Chalet.  Built in 1909 by the Canadian Pacific Railroad to provide services for tourists
  • Twin Falls Chalet plaque
  • Yoho Valley -- Twin Falls
  • Yoho Valley -- Twin Falls
  • Yoho Valley -- the mist of Twin Falls
  • Yoho Valley
  • Yoho Valley and Waputik Icefield
  • Yoho Valley and Waputik Icefield
  • Reaching the upper cliff, Twin Falls
  • Twin Falls precipice, Yoho Valley
  • Twin Falls precipice, Yoho Valley
  • Twin Falls precipice, Yoho Valley
  • Views of Twin Falls Chalet and creek
  • Yoho Valley
  • Yoho Valley
  • Yoho Valley Glacier
  • Twin Falls Creek, upriver from Twin Falls

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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