Takakkaw, a Cree Indian word meaning "magnificant", is a name that couldn't suit this incredible waterfall any better. The melt from the Daly Glacier plummets down the valley wall, forming one of the best waterfalls of North America. Though it's obvious the falls are large, the actual height of the falls has been the source of controversy for some time. A plaque at the picnic near the falls area says the drop is 258 meters, yet several world books, encyclopedias and other reference material have given listed the height as anywhere between 258 meters up to 486 meters. The issue is, of course, what should and shouldn't be considered part of the falls. The main, vertical portion, which gets all the attention, is, indeed, 258 meters tall, but when the cascades at it's base are added (as they should be), and the unseen tiers above the top of the main plunge of the falls are included, it is quite easy to consider the falls to be closer to 380 meters tall. Any way you slice it, though, this is a world class destination, well worth a trip from where ever you live.
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Located in the Yoho Valley in Yoho National Park. From Highway 1 in Field, exit onto the Yoho Valley Road, just west of where the Highway starts to climb to Kicking Horse Pass. Follow the Yoho Valley Road to it's end at Takakkaw Falls. The falls can be easily seen from several kilometers around the valley. A short paved trail leads from the parking area to the base of the falls.
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I have seen very few bad pictures of Takakkaw Falls, so this is a case where you should be able to just snap away. The falls have a westerly exposure, and are well lit from the late morning until sunset, so there shouldn't be many issues at all. If you get up close, the spray might be a problem, however.
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