A Day Trip to Yoho National Park’s Emerald Lake: Breathtaking Mountain Scenery with Stunning, Mirror-Like Reflections
We have heard since we arrived that this is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, but I insist on calling it the most beautiful place on the planet. In Islam, we often say that the mountains, the ocean, and the beauty of nature are signs of God smiling on humanity, and it is clear that He is smiling on this beautiful province. — Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Vancouver, July 25, 2026.
During my visits to the national and provincial parks across Alberta, experienced travellers often share tips on outstanding places to explore in Alberta, as well as in British Columbia to the west and Saskatchewan to the east. However, I received my best autumn travel tip not in a nature setting, but at the renowned Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary. This occurred during the Bollywood-Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Concert on October 17, 2026. The tip came from lifelong Albertan residents seated next to me who actively promote cultural dialogue and programs between local residents and the Chinese community.
Like me, they were friendly and open, sharing their stories with enthusiasm. I recounted my recent visit to Lake O’Hara after winning a lottery for the shuttle. The couple mentioned that they had visited Lake O’Hara years ago and recommended that I check out Emerald Lake, which is only a few kilometres farther west from O’Hara. The gentleman told me it was his favourite lake.
About four years ago, I visited Emerald Lake on a busy weekend and had to walk about a kilometre from my car to reach the lake. When I saw the enormous crowds, I decided to turn back right away, and I had all but forgotten about Emerald Lake…until I received the recent tip in a concert venue! With an excellent weather forecast ahead, I set out for Emerald Lake from Calgary very early on Tuesday, October 20.
I paused briefly at the Alberta-British Columbia border, drawn to the mountains on my left along the Trans-Canada Highway and a large sign welcoming me to British Columbia. The sign was covered with hundreds of graffiti designs that resembled real artwork. On the left side of the panel, a vertical inscription read, “The Best Place on Earth.” My thoughts immediately turned to Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, who, in his speech in Vancouver on July 25, commemorating four new initiatives in the Greater Vancouver Area, stated: “We [referring to himself and his sons, Princes Irfan and Sinan] have heard since we arrived that this [British Columbia] is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, but I insist on calling it the most beautiful place on the planet. In Islam, we often say that the mountains, the ocean, and the beauty of nature are signs of God smiling on humanity, and it is clear that He is smiling on this beautiful province.”
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Deeply moved and inspired by the words of the 50th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, I continued driving, passed the Lake O’Hara sign, recalling the fantastic time I had at the lake on September 20, made a brief stop at the incredible Spiral Tunnels before reaching Emerald Lake close to 9:00 AM, where I had a fruit salad at the historic main lodge. Outside the restaurant, I was delighted to see the Muskoka (or Adirondack) red chairs overlooking the mountains.
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I set out anti-clockwise on the eastern section of the 5.4 km loop trail around the lake at around 9:45 AM. AI had asked me to go clockwise to avoid the trail’s root-heavy sections, but I decided to take on the rough section first.
I had already spoken with the lodge staff about bear activity, and they told me there had been no recent sightings. Nevertheless, I carried bear spray and called out loudly from time to time to alert any bears of my presence, just in case they were near.
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The terrain I traversed included areas with pine trees, root-laden sections, fallen branches, and long stretches of wooden boardwalks.
The western side was easier to navigate and offered stunning, open views of the President Range, Mount Burgess, and Walcott Peak. I was also quite close to the lake, but it wasn’t until I neared the end of my walk that its true emerald colours revealed themselves, coming to life in all their beauty.
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After more than 4 hours of trail walking and picture taking, I approached my car in what had become a crowded parking lot and noticed how much the crowd had grown since about four hours earlier. On my drive back to Calgary, I stopped in Banff National Park to watch trains pass through the Storm Mountain Picnic and Lookout Area, which many readers know I love! Although the parking area was closed, I found an empty space outside the gate and walked to the lookout point completely by myself to see my favourite moving machine from childhood. I got into my car and drove to the Norquay lookout point to watch the setting sun light up the iconic Rundle Mountain. It was a truly enjoyable and happy day. I saw so much, thanks to my presence at Singer Hall a few days earlier!
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Date posted: October 31, 2026.
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