Pink wildflowers by Emerald Lake in summer, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Pink wildflowers by Emerald Lake in summer, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

© Olga Matveeva/Getty Image

Nature's summer showcase. Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Some places are best introduced with one word: Yoho. It is a Cree expression of wonder, which is exactly the reaction most people have. Established in 1886, Yoho National Park protects part of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia. Visitors can stop at Takakkaw Falls, where water plunges more than 370 metres, or explore the world-famous Burgess Shale fossil sites. These rocks preserve the remains of marine animals that lived more than 500 million years ago.

Then there's Emerald Lake, featured in today's image. Surrounded by mountain peaks and forests, it is the largest lake in Yoho National Park. Its vivid green colour comes from glacial sediment that enters the lake each year with meltwater. As the seasons change, so does the landscape. In summer, meadows and roadsides fill with wildflowers, making one of the park's most iconic views even more colourful. One final note: leave the flowers for the next visitor and keep your distance from wildlife. Bears have a strict no-selfie policy.

Related Tags