Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge
An offshoot of the much larger Yoho National Park of Canada, Emerald lake is one of those scenic places that inspire awe and wonder, yet still feels under appreciated. Although Yoho itself has sixty one lakes, Emerald has the distinction of being the park’s largest, hence why it has landed its own post. To access the region you will drive past the town of Field, BC West and take the exit for Emerald Lake.
This post is a stub of the larger Yoho National Park post, for more information on the surrounding area click here.
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The Natural Bridge
Welcoming you into the Emerald lake sector is the “Natural Bridge”. Now what about this Natural Bridge? Straddling the Kicking Horse River west of Field, is an impressive rock formation. This popular stop off point is well worth a visit as it is easy to access and just as impressive, offering multiple vantage points of the the emerald colors waters attempting to overwhelm it.
Emerald Lake
So why visit this lake in particular? Well, quite frankly its because it is stunning and easy to get to. Unlike the many waterfalls and glacial peaks of Yoho park, Emerald is tucked in at the end of a long paved road and has a high end chalet to greet visitors. Encircled by high mountain ranges and lying at a low elevation, Emerald has developed its own humid micro climate system, the mild weather more similar to that found in coastal British-Columbia then deep in the Rocky Mountains. This has led to the development of a unique flora that can be observed while walking the circular pathway surrounding the turquoise waters of the reservoir.
The first westerner to lay eyes on the lake was a man by the name of Tom Wilson, the same man who discovered another emerald colored lake – that of Lake Louise. He stumbled upon the emerald lake glacial valley by accident in 1882 when he was tracking some runaway horses.
From the parking lot a long bridge will guide you to the lodge where snacks can be purchased. This is a popular place to rent a canoe and spend half a day on its beautiful waters.
For those of you feeling a little more adventurous, make sure to climb up towards the Emerald Peak towards Lake Hamilton, a glacial lake located high above the lake or towards Michael’s Peak for a panoramic view of the Emerald Basin. Not only will you get great overhead view of the lake but you will also get a shot to see the area in a prime natural setting much as one would have seen it entering long ago.
