This post picks up where the last one left off – with the second half of a loop to see some sites in Kootenay and Yoho National Parks in British Columbia. Glacial rivers have been the norm, but this post will end at an absolutely fabulous glacial lake that you won’t want to miss!

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit The Trip of Our Lives 2023.

When did I Get this Brave?

For those married a long time – if your spouse doesn’t want to do something, does it make you want to do it even more? Ya, me too! To say that Jim is not wild about heights is an understatement, and there was no talking him into this adventure!

I am not wild about heights either, but I do love great views and I’ll go out on a limb (probably not) to get them. But I am not that person that keeps backing up at the Grand Canyon to get a better selfie, or hops over the “trail closed” sign to stand on the edge of the cliff – in deep snow that may be hanging over the edge.

I’m not sure why, but when I read about the Golden Skybridge in Golden, BC, I decided that was something that I had to do. I thought maybe Jim could pay the entrance fee and at least check out the views without crossing the bridge, but he opted to read his book (take a nap) in the car while I went inside to see if I could pull this off.

A Backup Plan

When I came up to the bridge I could feel my stomach turn a bit. It was waaay longer than I had pictured in my mind (and the canyon was waaay deeper). But attendance was low today because the weather wasn’t great, so I wouldn’t have to worry about impatient people behind me if I went too slow or if I changed my mind altogether. In fact no one was behind me and only a couple of folks had started their walk across shortly before.

The woman near the entrance took the picture above on my phone and said that the bridge was one way, and I would have to go across and come back on another bridge down the way. I asked her if I got out there and then chickened out, would I be able to come back? Because there was no one behind me, she could make an exception. Had I come yesterday, it would have been a different story. My luck amazes me sometimes, because yesterday this place was packed and they probably allowed the maximum sixty people on each bridge!

All Alone 426 ft above the Canyon

As I started across I could feel a wobble with each step and I could tell when the folks ahead were taking their steps too, so I was glad when they finished. But wow, the views from out there were spectacular and it wasn’t as bad as I had conjured in my mind. I walked across pretty slowly – to enjoy the view for a little longer (and to lessen the wobble). Luckily with no one breathing down my neck I could take my time!

Beyond the Bridges

“Adventure awaits at Golden Skybridge, home to Canada’s highest suspension bridges. As you walk 426 feet above an expansive canyon, engulfed by the Columbia Valley, the epic views of the Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges will take your breath away. Beyond the incredible skybridges, there’s plenty more to see and do. Soar through the sky on our mountain coaster, zipline, climb towards the clouds on our rock wall or try your hand at axe throwing – there’s fun for everyone at Golden Skybridge.” ~ READ MORE

Being Considerate

Poor Jim was waiting for me back at the car, so I decided against the zip lining, rock climbing, axe-throwing, etc., but I did do a phone picture-swap with a couple for the first picture below. Usually I don’t post a lot of pictures of myself, but by the smile on my face I was loving British Columbia on this rainy day in May.

There were “push-a-button, pose on the X, and click” cameras set up along the way for photos in strategic places. The digital versions were pretty reasonable, so I splurged on a couple of those too. I was pretty amazed that I went across one – let alone two – suspension bridges today! Although going over only one was not really an option, since I’m not sure how I would have gotten back.

The Natural Bridge

We made a stop in Yoho National Park to see the Natural Bridge. Although the Lower Falls were barricaded off, this was a fabulous stop. Once again the milky water signifies that it contains lots of glacial silt. I assume that if the sun were shining, it would appear more turquoise, but the sun didn’t peak out even once to test my theory.

A tour bus in the parking lot is never a good sign, but its passengers were dispersed pretty well around the area. Almost everywhere we’ve gone today, there’s a signature curving river with mountains in the background and spruce trees standing tall. I don’t know how many times we’ve seen a similar scene, but it never gets old!

“The Kicking Horse River Valley. This section of The Kicking Horse River is actively cutting down its bed. The main processes involved in this area are solution of the limestone in the river water and abrasion by sand and gravel being carried by the water. Both of these processes were involved in the formation of the Natural Bridge.” ~ from a sign nearby

“Marvel at the force of the Kicking Horse River as it cascades under a naturally formed stone bridge. This rambunctious river takes its name from a near-fatal kick [by his packhorse] that stunned James Hector while exploring the area in 1858 [with the famed Palliser Expedition].” READ MORE

And the Pièce de Résistance? Emerald Lake

“Legend has it that when a mountain guide rounding up runaway horses came upon the shores of Emerald Lake in the 1880s, he stopped in his tracks. Visitors who venture deep into the Yoho Valley to find the lake today have much the same mesmerized reaction.

A hiking trail encircles the blue-green lake and ambles along the gravel fan at the far end, providing an up-close look at what’s left in the wake of a receding glacier.” ~ READ MORE

As we made our final stop of the day, we clearly saved the best for last! Emerald Lake was an OMG experience, and only one lone Canadian goose shared it with us. This was one of several locations on this trip where magnificence and silence surrounded us, and God’s beauty took my breath away.

Emerald Lake Lodge

This is on my list of places to stay when we return. No hustle and bustle here. We had planned to hike at least a portion of the three-mile trail around the lake, but the rain was getting old and it had already been a long (but wonderful) day.

Emerald Lake Lodge was purchased in 1979. “This jewel of a destination is located in Yoho National Park northwest of Field, British Columbia. After years of restoration and construction, the property – famed for its tranquility and impossibly beautiful surroundings – re-opened in the summer of 1986.” ~ READ MORE

The End of a Perfect Day

Up Next: Rain, Rain, Go Away

Happy trails,
Barb