Texas to Canada — The final leg (Banff NP)!
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies which sits at an elevation of 200 vertical feet above the valley floor. The greenish color is due to the rock silt which flows into the Lake due to the melting of glaciers.
Called ‘The Lake of the Little Fishes’ by the Stoney Natoka First Nations, the Lake was named after Princess Louise, a daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of Governor General of Canada, Marquess of Lorne.
Lake Louise is a mecca of adventures throughout the year. From hiking to paddling, sledge rides to dog sledding and more, it has activities for all age groups. It also offers a variety of restaurant and accommodation options. Smaller and quieter than the town of Banff, you really feel immersed in the mountains and nature when you spend time in Lake Louise.
Lakeshore trail-
From Chateau Lake Louise, take a walk around Lake Louise along the Lakeshore Trail footpath. With ever-changing views of peaks around Victoria Glacier and a wide flat trail, this walk will get you away from the crowds and give you a taste of why Lake Louise is named “Hiking Capital of Canada.”
The trail along Lake Louise’s north shore provides a family-friendly and ADA-accessible way to see more of the famous scenery here. By venturing off the pavement and exploring this dirt path, you will get a much better experience of the lake by discovering some of the forest, wildflowers, birds and other wildlife that live here. You will also leave the majority of the crowds behind as you get further from the hotel. Benches are available for resting and taking it all in.
The trail leads to the back of the lake, where melt water trickles down the mountainsides and fills this glacially carved basin. At the lake’s upper end is a beach of silt that you can walk out on. This is the very fine sediment eroded by glaciers that suspends in the water to give its turquoise color.
The back of the lake is guarded by a steep climb and then a descent, but the work is brief and rewarding. The view across the lake toward the Fairmont Chateau and Lake Louise Ski Resort is beautiful, especially in evening light. In this area near the end of the trail, you may also see rock climbers scaling the cliffs above, using ropes and harnesses and other gear for safety.
Athabasca glacier-
There’s nothing quite like driving north on the Icefield Parkway through Banff and Jasper National Parks and seeing the scenery start to change from green to white. As the lush forests of Alberta start to give way to snowy mountain peaks, it becomes clear why this is one of Canada’s most scenic areas.
Before long, Athabasca Glacier emerges. Athabasca is one of the jewels of Jasper. Though it’s lost half of its volume in just over 100 years, Athabasca still appears impressive as it snakes it way down between peaks to end not far from the main road.
Athabasca is right across the street from the Columbia Icefield’s Visitor Center (aka, Discovery Center). Informational signs explain just how far Athabasca has receded in the past 200 years. In fact, the entire area where the Discovery Center and the parking lot stand today were covered by the glacier just a couple centuries ago.
Today, you can drive right to its base. Parking can be difficult during the peak summer months, but you’ll most likely find a spot somewhere. Depending where you park, you’ll still have to walk at least 10 minutes or so across a gravel and dirt path to get closer to the glacier.
Get out and follow the crowds toward the foot of the glacier!
Can you walk on Athabasca Glacier?
You’re not supposed to, unless you take a glacier hiking tour. There are guided ice walk tours that provide a safe environment to do some hiking on Athabasca Glacier. We took this tour and I must mention that their service was impeccable. Not only they provide the necessary gear like crampons and long jackets, but they take the time and efforts to explain you everything in detail.
We were divided into small groups of ten and our guide did an amazing job explaining about this glacier and making sure we are comfortable at the same time throughout the tour. I must say that safety of customers is their priority since we had to abort and return halfway during our tour which started on a bright sunny morning with clear skies and soon mid-way through the tour, when we were on the glacier enjoying it, our guide saw a brewing thunderstorm, headed our way and so we were advised to return to parking lot given the risk of lightening and hail. This was indeed a wise decision and just on time since the storm was quicker than we anticipated and soon we were caught in rain and hail while heading back to the parking lot. Fortunately, we all returned safely. They did reimburse half of that tour’s cost since we didn’t get the whole experience as mentioned and this was a kind gesture on their part, I must say as we were least expecting and caught us by surprise few days after we returned home.
This was once in a lifetime experience we grabbed being in Canada since glaciers all around the world are slowly disappearing due to global warming and one has to go to Alaska or Patagonia to get to admire its beauty this close.
Peyto lake
Peyto Lake really is that blue? Yes, it is! Those amazing postcard pictures you see are not enhanced. In fact, it could be said that this is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Peyto Lake is located in Banff National Park approximately 40km’s northwest of Lake Louise. It can be best viewed from the Bow Summit along the Columbia Icefields Parkway.
The view from the Peyto Lake Overlook is awe-inspiring, but sometimes it also inspires questions. Learning a little more can satisfy your curiosity, or perhaps just lead to more questions. The first thing that stands out to most people is the vibrant color of Peyto Lake. Why is Peyto Lake so blue? The answer lies in its source. The water in Peyto Lake comes from the Peyto Glacier. Many glacier-fed lakes take on this incredible color due to “rock flour” or fine rock particles that the movement of the glacier grinds like flour. The way the sunlight reflects off of these particles suspended in the water gives the lake its stunning color. What you may not realize is that this color changes throughout the year. The rock flour builds up in the water over the course of a summer of melting, adding depth and richness to the color. When the lake first thaws in the spring, it is far less vibrant than in July or August, when the sediments have had time to build up. The color can also vary throughout the course of a single day depending on lighting conditions.
At the far end of the parking there is an information sign and wooden washroom facility that marks the start of the paved trail. It will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to hike up to the Peyto Lake lookout. It does cover some considerable elevation.
We loved visiting Banff so much that we will surely return to visit Jasper national park as that is equally beautiful. Hope you all get to travel these places some day. Till then adios, stay safe and keep exploring the world!
One life, One world, Explore it !!
