Walcott Quarry (Burgess Shale)

The Burgess Shale is easily the most famous geological formation in Canada, perhaps the world. It’s a name even the least geologically inclined person has heard. The fossils found within this Lagerstätte (specifically in the Stephen Formation) are renowned for the soft-bodied preservation of middle Cambrian lifeforms. They were first recovered from Walcott Quarry.

The stature of these fossil bed makes the hike to Walcott Quarry a bucket list item for many palaeontologists and natural history enthusiasts. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, access to the quarry is closely protected by Parks Canada. It is located inside Yoho National Park north of Field, British Columbia and you cannot legally hike to the site on your own.

Two operators provide guided hikes to Walcott Quarry; Parks Canada and the Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation. Hikes occur from mid-July through mid-September each year. The hike itself is 24 km round trip with an elevation gain of 900 m. Beginning at Takakkaw Falls parking lot and lasting 11 hours, the early portion of the trail covers packed dirt and steep switchbacks. It’s not for the faint of heart (or children under 8). The payoff is certainly worth it, but a minimum physical fitness and health is required.

To see Burgess Shale fossils in a more easily accessible location, significant exhibits are located at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. However, if you want to see them in their natural state, the Walcott Quarry hike is something you should seriously look into doing. Reservations are required, so check out the websites shown below to begin booking your journey 508 million years into the past.