I woke up in the back of the KIA eager to get a look at Lake Louise. Here is a Louise Lake Map
I drove the mile to the parking lot. It was a bit chilly at this time of the morning, so I added some layers. I followed the stream of Asian tourists to the waters edge.
Here is the hotel that I would be staying at if my budget was unlimited.
I snapped some pictures for a family and they insisted on returning the favor, and I cant resist being in front of the camera so I was happy pose to prove my attendance
I have to admit, the lake, although crowed with tourists, was breathtaking. The color is not clear like Lake Tahoe, but more of an emerald green based on the mineral deposits from the glacier.
I followed the right side of the lake towards the glaciers in the background of below shot
The plan was to follow the Lakeshore trail and continue on to the Plain of 6 Glaciers until reaching the chalet at the foot of the glacier. Another 12+ mile hike to kick off the day. There was few people on the trail at this hour (8am) but I opted to skip the popular Lake Agnes Teahouse trail for guaranteed solitude.
Here is a shot of a mouse on roids, called a Pika (Bingo)
And below is a beaver (Double Bingo!)
I continued on the trail content with my animal sightings, looking back towards Lake L and the hotel
I heard a loud cannon shot and saw nothing. As I approached the chalet at the culmination of the hike I heard it again and witnessed an avalance on the glacier ahead of me. If you click of the photo below and look at the middle of the shot, you can see the snow tumbling down the mountain…somewhat.
I looked up to my right and laid eyes on a family of mountain goats, I was realy getting cocky now with my wildlife scanning skills. Some of that training I learned in the Amazon must have rubbed off on me.
I walked up to the chalet just as they were opening. I should have stopped and had some tea on the porch watching for more avalanches, but it was raining and I had other trails to conquer. I briefly talked with the caretakers about my plans, and was rumbling back down the trail, passing the late risers with leaps and bounds
Right near the end of the trail, near the hotel, I came across this guy.
I have diagnosed him as a shrew, but his snout is not quite as long as the ones I found in pictures. If someone has other thoughts please share.
A final parting shot of the lake
I got back in my car and headed over to Moraine Lake. Here is a map to show its location relative to LL and HWY 1.
I reached the parking lot in the pouring rain. I was not to be deterred. I donned the raingear and made my way out for another 8 mile jaunt up a mountain. The plan here was to follow the lakeshore trail a bit and then branch off and up to Larch valley and Sentinel Pass.
The trail required 4-person groups due to Grizzly bear sightings. I guess 4 people with sticks is the minimum to fend off the animal, or maybe it is the amount of meat the bear desires in one feeding? I hurried up and hiked near a group of 4 coming in from Calgary for the day. All around my age, they made a fun group to share stories with and keep motivated through the rain-soaked switchbacks.
We ran into some other hikers at the turn off for Eiffel Lake who had seen 3 Grizzlys. Everyone in our group was hoping not to cross their path, but I had a bingo board to fill out and besides I knew that I could outrun the other 3 if need be, especially after a head start with an inadvertent trip thrown in.
No such luck on the bear sighting. We emerged at the meadows of Larch Valley and looked up towards Sentinel Pass
They choose to hike the Pass, but I saw no real point in that (see above picture) and we said our goodbyes as I hightailed back to my car to make Jasper by dark
Below is a grouse I almost ran over as I ran down the trail
Here is the sign stipulating 4 person groups
From here North, I had about 2 hours of driving on the famous Icefields Parkway
The above link has a good description. It is basically a ton of glaciers that you weave your way through. I cannot think of a more beautiful road. I was coming back the same way in a couple days, so I was not planning on stopping as I wanted to make Jasper, but the sights were so amazing I could not resist. Here is a list of some of the highlights
Going northwest from Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway passes the following points of interest:
Crowfoot Glacier
Bow Summit [altitude of 2,088 m (6,850 ft)] and Peyto Lake
Mistaya Canyon
Saskatchewan River Crossing
Parker Ridge
Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier)
Icefield Centre
Athabasca Falls
Sunwapta Pass and Sunwapta Falls
The below pic is Crowfoot Glacier, followed by Num Ti-Jah Lodge that sits in its foreground
I made a stop at Peyto Lake because it is said to be one the most colorful lakes in the region. I got the parking lot and saw that there was a 2 mile hike to the viewing platform. I then saw that there was a handicapped and bus stop further up the road, a ¼ mi from the view. No cars were allowed, but I did not have the time to follow the masses. I drove to the lookout and walked with a limp into the woods. I still got kinda turned around and ran into a lady from Boston who was having similar issues and parked where I did. She was trying to get a shot of the lake to take back to her friend in the car. Her friend had cancer and was not able to walk the short hike out. We eventually teamed up and found the spot.
An incredible view to be sure.
I continued on along the parkway, veering off the road every few miles to take pictures while cars streamed past often coming close to causing an accident. At one point I cut in front of oncoming traffic to park and the car coming the other way jerked away and I swear was up on 2 wheels for a minute. It was one of those moments that you laugh about because you really don’t want to think how close you just came to dying.
Another Black bear sighting
I reached the Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier). It is the closest glacier to the Parkway and allows one an easy stroll to the edge. You can join a tour and walk out on it, but I really did not see how that would be any more exciting. There were signs along the trail showing where the glacier was in years past. Pretty depressing as you saw the distance it has receded. Many believe they will all be gone within another decade.
This is a shot of me in front of the glacier. With my Chaco sandals on and sunglasses, I know full well I look like an asshole, so no need to mention. As for the pose, that is just gravy on top.
I scurried back to the car, in a full out sprint at times. A slave to the itinerary.
These are the Athabasca Falls just outside of Jasper
I rolled into town and found the Jasper Brewery. it was about 9pm. I had a burger, and a few beers. They had a great blueberry/vanilla beer that proved to be great motivation on a hellish hike in a couple days.
I climbed into the Kia in the parking lot by the train tracks and was lolled to sleep by the 25mph winds whipping through town
Until Tomorrow
Darren
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