Near Emerald Triangle: Emerald Lake Lodge/Yoho Pass/Burgess Pass
Emerald Lake with Mount Field in the background.
Near Emerald Triangle: Emerald Lake Lodge/Yoho Pass/Burgess Pass
Snowshoeing towards Emerald Basin, looking south, November 2015
Near Emerald Triangle: Emerald Lake Lodge/Yoho Pass/Burgess Pass
Emerald Lake and Emerald Lake Lodge in late November 2015
Near Emerald Triangle: Emerald Lake Lodge/Yoho Pass/Burgess Pass
Views from Burgess Pass can be very good, even on a cloudy rain day.
Near Emerald Triangle: Emerald Lake Lodge/Yoho Pass/Burgess Pass
The early morning reflections in Emerald Lake are worth the earlier alarm.

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Hike Route

Emerald Triangle: Emerald Lake Lodge/Yoho Pass/Burgess Pass

3.0 (1 Rating)
Views of Emerald Lake and a close pass by the UNESCO recognized Burgess Shale quarries.
11.6
mi
Distance
3,386
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Geologically SignificantHistoricalLakeViewsWaterfall
Access Issues
Entering the fossil quarries of the Burgess Shale is forbidden without a Parks Canada guide.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
11.57mi
Distance
3,386ft
Elevation Gain
3,386ft
Elevation Loss
50%
Max Grade
7,236ft
High Point
4,268ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Park at the Emerald Lake parking (park pass required). One can proceed clockwise or counter-clockwise but clockwise is probably better as the trail rises gradually to Yoho Pass. After crossing the alluvial fan at the end of Emerald Lake, climb to Yoho Pass and then proceed on the signed route towards Burgess Pass. You'll encounter signs indicating that entering the Burgess Shale quarries is forbidden at all times unless accompanied by a Parks Canada guide. The trail passes below the quarries but climbing above the trail is completely closed and off limits. At Burgess Pass, follow the signed route back to Emerald Lake. The other trail descends to the town of Field, very far from where you left your car at Emerald Lake!
History & Background
The Burgess Shale quarries are off limits to unguided hikers but hiking on trails that pass below the fossil quarries is permitted.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
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Contributors
Kevin D.