Canada: July 2019: Day 2: Banff National Park

Canada: July 2019

July 2019: Day 2: Banff National Park

Past the edge of Lake Louise and ascending up the moraine.

Runoff from Victoria Glacier flows downhill into Lake Louise.

Plain of Six Glaciers tea house.

A hot meal from a tea house on the trail seems very British. Or perhaps Japanese.

Victoria Glacier and Mount Lefroy.

The Abbot Pass hut in the distance. Treacherous approach from this side.

Looking down at the Plain of Six Glaciers trail and Lake Louise.

Beginning the return trek.

The remains of Lefroy Glacier.

Plain of Six Glaciers trail.

The Fairmont Chateau revealed by the clouds.

Human trail to left, horse trail to right.

Clouds cap Lake Louise.

Clearly not seeing anything from the viewpoint to the Big Beehive today...

Golden-mantled ground squirrel.

Descending from the Big Beehive viewpoint to Lake Agnes.

Lake Agnes reveals itself through the clouds.

Lake Agnes.

Reflections on the lake.

Lake Agnes tea house shrouded by clouds.

Brilliant hues of green and brown make up the lake.

Appreciating the hues of green and brown along with the mountains and snow.

Finishing the descent from the Big Beehive viewpoint, around Lake Agnes, to the Lake Agnes tea house.

If the lake is this pretty on a cloudy day, imagine when it's clear!

Lake Agnes tea house is packed. There's a wait.

Families everywhere.

One last look at Lake Agnes.

Descending to Mirror Lake.

Mirror Lake, with Little Behive behind it. Woof!

Woof!

The Fairmont Chateau, along the shore of Lake Louise.

Lake Louise.

Poutine and smoked meat sandwich at Banff Poutine.

Not sure if food was good or I was just starving.

The Bow River runs through Banff.

Snow Peak is an inspiring sight.

Even in grainy weather, Banff is beautiful. Finally decided to drag my butt there after someone kept raving about it... and it was worth it.

Didn't do anything too crazy, due to suspect weather, but hiked the Plain of Six Glaciers trail, and detoured on the way back to the Big Beehive viewpoint, Lake Agnes, and Mirror Lake. The former is a pretty relaxing hike up to the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house, where, if you are early, can get a hot meal and enjoy the view from the second story balcony. It's then a marginally more difficult hike to the end of the trail, looking at the Abbot Pass hut and the imposing Victoria Glacier.

The return is quite pleasant (13.8km round-trip), but the detour to the Big Beehive viewpoint is much more strenuous. Short enough at least, but even on a cool, cloudy day, enough to work up a sweat. And then be greeted by a wall of clouds obscuring the view. Alas...

The descent to Lake Agnes was equally steep. Not that bad to be honest, but a workout compared to the Plain of Six Glaciers! And at least today, Lake Agnes' hues of brown and green were much more spectacular than Lake Louise. Add in the backdrop of brown with patches of white snow, and the haze of clouds obscuring the teahouse across the lake-- magnificent.

Mirror Lake and the Little Beehive were a quick stop on the descent to Lake Louise and the Fairmont Chateau, evidently today Lake Agnes was hogging all the glory?

Next stop was the town of Banff, which is a very cute tourist trap. Had some solid poutine and a smoked meat (aka corned beef) sandwich at Banff Poutine. Soaked in more of the view, including the Bow River and Snow Peak, before realizing it was a very long day and it was time to head to the hotel!