Advertisement
Published: June 29th 2010
One looking up & the other looking down
something to fascinate everyone- Moraine Lake June 26th-27th
Where: Lake Louise part of Banff National Park
Weather: 17 C - 2 C
Highlights: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
We decided on this trip at 6pm on Friday evening. Being unaware of the campground availability situation over the weekend, I made a reservation. I was surprised that anything was still available. It probably was the weather. The low on Sunday morn was to touch 2C.
The low temperature in July/August(peak Summer) is 3C. So, there did not seem a point to wait for the weather to get any better.
Having said that, camping was our only option. Hotels/even hostels are ridiculously expensive.
Saturday, 26th We left a little late around 9.00am & reached Lake Louise around 11.30am. We encountered quite a bit of traffic but no serious bottlenecks.
After a brief stop at the (very helpful)Information Center, we checked in to our campground.
As recommended, we took the most popular hike in the Lake Louise area, called Plain of six glaciers.
Before all that though, we had to park & we were stuck there. There are 2 huge parking lots(some 200 lots at least) & every spot was full. We finally managed to
Mt.Aberdeen
Lake Louise pull in, thanks to someone who just left.
In peak Summer(July/August) if you arrive between the hours of 11.00am - 4pm, forget about finding a spot. At least that's what we were told.
Lake Louise is the most visited area in Banff National Park and for a good(or rather obvious) reason. The Lake itself!
After reading so much about the lake, seeing close to a 100 pictures & hearing raving reviews about the beautiful color on the lake, we were totally excited to see it finally.
Our first glimpse was through a lot of trees. Something in blue & green & covering a whole lot of space. Yes. We are at Lake Louise. If I have to describe the lake in one word, it would probably be SPECTACULAR!
I have seldom seen anything like it. But there are many lakes in the area/probably elsewhere whose waters are turquoise. It is absolutely surreal.
About Banff National Park
The "Plain of Six" is probably the most famous Lake Louise hike, and for good reason. No other trail gives you so much for a moderate effort. Starting at the Chateau Lake Louise, the path follows the lakeshore and continues to the back of the valley where the views just get better and better. Glaciers, vaulting peaks, avalanche paths and high mountain wildlife are all on the menu.
- Moderate full day hike
- 12-14 km (7.5-8.5 mi) return trip
- 365 m (1200 ft) elevation gain
- Note: this trail is busy and also used for horseback riding trips.
Me & S took a break at the teahouse while Ganesh went all the way to the Lookout(end of trail).
It was a gorgeous sunny day until we reached the teahouse. The minute we stopped at the teahouse,
it was cold & windy, but thankfully no thunderstorms. There were a lot of people on this trail, but we had moments of solitude as well. Two dogs, one deer mouse & 2 squirrels kept S busy at the teahouse. It is a pretty neat setting for a hot drink. The teahouse is open from June 1st - Oct 31st(Thanksgiving in Canada) & the person who told me this had worked there for 24 years!!!
The hike back was uneventful(no animals, thankfully not many people either), except that S walked 2 km along the Lakeshore trail.
Back at the campground, S was among the audience to witness a theatrical performance.
Then we tried our hands at the first actual campfire. It turned cold & windy, so the warmth helped.
S hit the sack soon after dinner.
Sunday, 27th Late start. We left a little past check-out time & hoped to find a spot at
Moraine Lake. A much smaller one, but a beautiful turquoise lake too.
We took the most popular hike -
Valley of Ten Peaks.
A pretty steep trail for half the way. After its junction with the Larch Valley trail, it evens out pretty much
to Eiffel Lake.
S slept on her way to the Lake. We crossed 3 snow patches that did not look good. So, we stopped at a rock overlooking half-frozen Eiffel Lake.
But the highlight was definitely the TEN PEAKS. I actually counted. There are 10 peaks. All 10,000ft or more.
Just before we turned back, we saw a storm brewing. But thankfully, it was only a quiet, not-so-heavy-rain. We did hear some avalanches which roared like thunder, though.
By far, this is the best view, we've seen(probably, ever!). We were probably 1km away from those peaks & they rose high up in all directions. Bears frequent the area, not today though. But still, me & S had a loud rhyme session, just in case.😊
S startled us one time when she said "hi" to the hikers passing by. She saw us do the same many times & she just picked it up. Signs of a good hiker!
S is becoming heavy to carry around in the backpack & I often wonder, how long!!
Well, so long as it is possible.
Many hikers gave kudos to me & Ganesh for carrying S on our backs. Ganesh carried her
uphill. I just took over when the trail flattened. But I would still give my kudos to S. She is a big girl now & it is not so comfortable to sit in that carrier & bend her legs(for 5.6km one way), leave alone sleeping in it. And all the way back, specially when she is awake. Poor thing! Sometimes, we leave her no choice just because she doesn't complain.
The best part is when she finally gets into her car seat, it feels like throne. 😊
It rained for almost 1.5 hrs until we got back down & suddenly like magic, the clouds vanished.
Ganesh stopped for an ice-cream at a local store & I would highly recommend this place. The ice-cream tastes pretty rich/creamy.
Driving back home with the rest asleep was uneventful but peaceful. 😊
Next weekend, off to another beautiful place.
Observations: - Lake Louise freezes in winter & come Christmas, you can ice skate or ride a sleigh on the ice. Fancy that?
-The road to Moraine Lake closes in Winter(end of Oct - May).
-Long weekends often see bottlenecks between Banff & Lake Louise because of the construction.
Alternative option is to take the Bow River Parkway(1A).
-I looked up Google Earth & the Lake Louise area is the back when Yoho National Park is the front.
-Again, people from all over the world, speaking a bunch of accents visit the area. Saw many Indians too, though they did not hike much.
-Campgrounds fill up in high season, but they still have walk-ins.
-The cheapest hostel's private room costs $110 CAD in the peak season. And the Best Available rate at
Chateau Lake Louise costs $500 CAD or more.
ciao,
travelbuffs
Advertisement
Tot: 0.319s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 29; qc: 128; dbt: 0.1696s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.4mb
Stephanie and Andras
Stephanie
We call these birds "camp robbers" in the U.S - I've literally had them fly down and take food right out of my hand on multiple occasions. Looks like he has his eye on you just waiting for an opportunity!