Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Takakkaw Falls
Location of Yoho National Park
Location	British Columbia, Canada
Nearest city	Golden
Coordinates
Area	1,313 km²
Established	October 10, 1886
Governing body	Parks Canada
World Heritage Site	304

Yoho National Park is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains along the western slope of the Continental Divide in southeastern British Columbia. Yoho NP is bordered by Kootenay National Park on the southern side and Banff National Park on the eastern side in Alberta. The name Yoho comes from the Cree word for awe and wonder.

Yoho covers 1,313 km² (507 mi²) and it is the smallest of the four contiguous national parks. Yoho, together with Jasper, Kootenay and Banff National Parks, along with three British Columbia provincial parks—Hamber Provincial Park, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, and Mount Robson Provincial Park—form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. The park's administrative and visitor centre are located in the town of Field, British Columbia, beside the Trans-Canada Highway.

History

The park was created following a trip by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his wife Agnes through the Rockies on the newly-completed Trancontinental Railroad. Inspired on his return to Ottawa, Yoho National Park was created on October 10, 1886. Glacier National Park was created on the same day, becoming the second and third national parks in the country, after Banff.

The contiguous national parks of Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho, as well as the Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and Hamber provincial parks were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Climate

The weather in the park is localized and changeable. Being located on the west side of the continental divide, it receives more precipitation than areas east of the divide. Precipitation in the park increases with elevation. In winter, average temperatures are between 5 to −15 °C (41.0 to 5.0 °F) from the months November to April although temperatures can range between 10 to −35 °C (50.0 to −31.0 °F). The coldest weather usually occurs in the months December to February. In summer, mean temperatures average 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) with an average high of 20 °C (68.0 °F) and an average low of 5 °C (41.0 °F). Snowfall and freezing temperatures can occur during the summertime at altitudes above 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

Geology

Chancellor Peak and Kicking Horse River

Emerald Lake

J. E. H. MacDonald's Lake McArthur, Yoho Park

Yoho National Park - Natural Bridge

The Kicking Horse River, a Canadian Heritage river, originates in the Wapta and Waputik icefields in the park. This river has created a natural bridge through solid rock. This formation is located 3 km west of Field, accessible from the road to Emerald Lake.

The Canadian Rockies consist of sedimentary rock, with numerous fossil deposits. In particular, the Burgess Shale, located in Yoho National Park, has among the world's richest deposits of rare fossils. The Burgess Shale was discovered in 1909 by Charles Doolittle Walcott. In the southeastern corner of the park is an igneous intrusion known as the Ice River Complex containing deposits of sodalite, an ornamental stone.

Mountains

• Mount Burgess 2,599m (8,527 ft) is a frequently climbed mountain. For 17 years it was featured on the Canadian ten-dollar bill.
• Mount Stephen 3,199m (10,496 ft) is the tallest of the four mountains that surround the town of Field, British Columbia. A portion of the Burgess Shale fossils were discovered on Mount Stephen.
• The President 3,138m (10,296 ft)
• The Vice President 3,077m (10,095 ft)
• Mount Goodsir 3,567m (11,703 ft)
• Mount Balfour 3,272m (10,735 ft.)

Waterfalls

• Takakkaw Falls
• Wapta Falls

See also

• List of lakes in Yoho National Park
• Emerald Lake

External links

• Parks Canada web site
• A travel guide for Yoho National Park and the village of Field, BC
• Yoho National Park on the Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia ( Bivouac.com)
• Parks Canada - Official National Parks and Mountain Guide
• An article on Yoho National Park from The Canadian Encyclopedia