Canada

Road Tripping Banff – Lake Louise & the Plain of Six Glaciers

While cruising down the Trans-Canada highway in my little red rental hatchback, I marveled at my surroundings. The Bow River flanked the road on the right side; sharp mountains guarded the valley proudly from the left. The color of the river water was an impossible Caribbean blue – a tone I know comes from glacial erosion but looks deceptively warm. Shortly after I began driving, I stopped along the side of the road to capture a photo of the morning light through the evergreens. A crisp morning wind gust hit my face and sent a chill along my skin. I thought to myself, “I could stay here forever.”
Sunrise through trees | Banff, CanadaAlas, I couldn’t stay – I was on a road trip in Alberta, Canada. After a few days enjoying the luxurious spoils of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, I was alone on the road exploring the stunning Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park. It wasn’t a long road trip as I could only spare one day, but it was a perfect taste of mountain clean air that my city life severely lacks. I planned on visiting a couple of places in the National Park, but my first and most anticipated stop was Lake Louise.
Road trip rental car | Banff, Canada

Calm waters of Lake Louise | Banff, Canada

Lake Louise is probably the most famous of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Perhaps it is due to its accessibility from the town of Banff (my drive only took about 45 minutes), or perhaps it’s because the castle-like railway hotel The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits at its edge.  Whatever the reasons, Lake Louise is a bit of a poster child for the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Perfectly arranged glacier capped mountains are the lake’s backdrop and milky spa blue water make it special – even for this area of Canada, which is home to a plethora of other lakes. I couldn’t wait to see Louise with my own eyes.

I decided I would hike the 1.9 kilometer Lake Louise Lakeside Trail – one that is flat, easy, and populated. I wouldn’t get lost, I wouldn’t get lonely, and I’d be treated to consistent beautiful views of the lake, the mountains, and the hotel.

Lakeside trail with the Fairmont at Lake louise | Banff, CanadaPeek beyond the trees at Lake Louise | Banff, Canada
Soon after I started, I knew I was going to want more. The views and landscape just kept getting more and more enchanting the deeper I traveled. So I continued. I wandered beyond the lake, up into the trees, along cliff sides, and through scree. I climbed next to rivers and through dark wooded passageways that whispered reminders that I was hiking alone. Even so, I always felt just a few steps away from being able to touch the mountains in front of me, so I kept walking.

About two hours later, I suddenly found myself on the home stretch of the 13.6 kilometer Plain of Six Glaciers hike – quite a long way from the lakeside trail I had originally intended to tackle. It wasn’t a difficult hike, probably moderate at most. And thanks to the serenity and natural beauty, the time had passed so quickly.

Waterfallalong the lakeside trail at Lake Louise | Banff, CanadaGlacial blue water on the far side of Lake Louise | Banff, CanadaSquirrel eating trash at Lake Louise | Banff, CanadaFirst views on the Plain of Six Glaciers hike at Lake Louise | Banff, CanadaHigh trail on the Plain of Six Glaciers hike at Lake Louise | Banff, CanadaGlacial valley on the Plain of Six Glaciers hike at Lake Louise | Banff, CanadaView back to Lake Louise from the Plain of Six Glaciers trail | Banff, Canada It was then that I was rewarded by a view over the wide open glacial valleys above Lake Louise – a view worth every step. The mountains that frame the lake from below are grand and intimidating up close. Looking back towards the blue water of the lake made me swell with pride in how far I’d come. I was extra proud as I walked the trail by myself, both without a plan and without headphones. (I went sans-music on the advice of others. I should be aware, in case a rogue bear hidden in the trees decided to make breakfast out of me.)

Post-hike at Lake Louise | Banff, Canada
How did I celebrate my achievement? I walked back down to Lake Louise, found a comfortable spot on the rocks, and gazed back up at the mountain valley I had unexpectedly visited. Looking around at other visitors snapping photos of the lake from the hotel’s deck, I felt that I knew something they didn’t. I felt like I knew her, Lady Louise. She would always be in my pocket.

Practical Info:
*Try out a GyPSy Guide: A GPS Guide system available on a rentable device for $39 per day. Visit their website for their tours and pick up locations. (GyPSy Guide is also available in Hawaii and Vegas, by the way)

*Lake Louise: The parking lot gets very full very fast, especially on the weekends during high season (summertime). Try to arrive early to avoid any issues.

*Lake Louise Lakeside Trail: This trail really easy and totally flat so you can do it even if you are out of shape or so not into hiking.

*Plain of Six Glaciers Hike: This trail is more moderate and does climb a fair amount of vertical height. It takes about 4 hours to complete the whole trail, roundtrip. But it is so worth the effort. There is even a tea house at the top that serves snacks and refreshments.

 

1 Comment

  • Hogga
    December 23, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    banff is just so beautiful

    Reply

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