Takakkaw Falls in Mid May ??
We plan to stay a Kicking Horse CG at Yoho NP in May. The campground opens May 18th but the road to the falls is closed until mid-June. The following is from Yoho website. Tumbling 254m (830 feet...
Forum Discussion
profdant139 wrote:
Gary, if I recall correctly, most of the road to the falls does not pass under cliffs or steep hills. (I could be wrong.) . So there may not be much avalanche danger, unless you get really close to the falls themselves.
However, if it is 16 km round trip from the plowed road (as Dave indicates), that is way too far for snowshoes. My maximum on snowshoes is about 10 km per day, depending on the snow. Deep, soft powder will make it much harder. But an icy crust can be a lot better, if it does not break underfoot!
In the Sierras, we have a real problem with clumping -- the snow is so warm and wet that it packs under the claw, and pretty soon you are hiking on a bowling ball. Not fun.
Look up the area on Google maps just past the switch back below Wapta MT. A gajillion avalanche paths cross the road and also just before the falls. This is big snow country where the snow from avalanches last well into the summer. All of these areas are well used by experienced back country skiiers all winter and spring to access the higher elevations. An easy trip done by thousands during the summer and fall would present a big challenge for even very fit and experienced skier/snowshoers when the road is snow bound.
Dave
