The Emerald Triangle is a staff's favourite. It offers classic Yoho views of glaciated peaks and rugged ridge lines without the traffic of its neighbour the Iceline trail. It's also a quick loop considering that the initial climb up to Burgess Pass (6 km, 1000 m) comprises all the elevation gain for the day. From Burgess Pass, it's 15 km of downhill and flat running in some of the most amazing terrain the Rockies have to offer. You might even get lucky and see a herd of Rocky Mountain Goats grazing around Burgess Pass...!
For a longer run (40-45 km), you can link the Emerald Triangle into the Iceline Trail by going over Yoho Pass. The connector is marked in blue in the image below.
- Distance: 21 km
- Time: 3 to 5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Total Elevation Gain: 1000 m
- Where to park: Emerald Lake
- Surface: Semi-Technical and technical, well traveled hiking trails
- We recommend doing this loop counter-clockwise. This way you get the 1000 m of climbing done in the first 6 km (Burgess Pass), and then it's 15 km of downhill running back down to Emerald Lake.
- This loop DOES NOT enter the Walcott Quarry closure. At the top of Burgess Pass you'll see a big "Do Not Enter" sign that explains the restricted access to Walcott Quarry. The triangle loop passes under the closure so at the big sign just take the left trail and from there you can't get lost.
