Wednesday July 21, 2010

Lake Louise

Johnston Canyon

Castle Mountain

We started down the Trans-Canadian highway and then took the 1A to take the scenic route. Scenery was incredible and our first stop began at the Johnston Canyon. We began the .5 mile hike through the canyon totally enthralled with the glorious beauty of the canyon. Every 5 feet we would snap pictures on our way to the lower falls.  At times the trail would go over the river making for great Kodak moments. Stephen and Dad walked on ahead of Mom and myself. But, we had a wonderful time snapping pictures and slowly enjoying the beauty. By the time we were ¾ of the way to the falls, Steve and Dad came running back telling us that we needed to continue on to the “Prize” of seeing the falls. Steve and Jayna went on to the falls and Dad came with Mom. However, Steve and Jayna did not see Mom and Dad, so we took pictures, we headed back to the car. Mom and Dad were not in sight and we couldn’t believe that they would actually “beat” us back to the car but we kept on going fearing that they did not have the key to the car and would have to wait long. By the time we reached the car, there was no Mom and Dad. We walked back to the restaurant, restrooms to find them, but couldn’t find them. We walked back and forth, frantically searching for them, but 30 minutes went by and no Mom and Dad. Jayna ran back to the car one more time to no avail. She came back across the mountain stream and there was Steve walking with both of them. They had evidently gone to the Falls and took the upper trail, while we took the lower trail. They didn’t see us, we didn’t see them. They were waiting for us at the falls!

Lake Louise was very beautiful. As soon as you come in from the parking lot the scene is glorious. Here is this icy blue lake surrounded by mountains on three side, with a huge mountain (called Mt Victoria) covered in the Victoria glacier. There was a trail all along the lake and every angle of the trail, the picture was incredible. Steve and Jayna decided to take the Agnes Trail to Agnes/Mirror Lake as this hike was rated as the number 1 hike to take in the Banff National Park system. We started the trail and it became apparent that this was not going to be an easy trail. Straight up the hill for 3 mile. When I say straight up the hill, that is exactly what I mean! Jayna was having trouble breathing and had to stop every 10 minutes or so, but not Steve…he just kept going at an incredible rate. It amazed me as he has just had his second heart surgery about 4 months ago. The Mirror lake was a lovely little lake and the water was clear blue mirroring this lovely mountain. We decided not to go on to Agnes lake (another .5 mile) as we were both exhausted and hungry. We headed back down the mountain and began looking for Mom and Dad again. 20 minutes later we found them just sitting along the lake trail enjoying the beauty.

After Lake Louise, the trails and seeing the lovely Lake Louise Fairmont Chateau we headed for Moraine Lake. Oh my… this valley is called the Valley of the 10 peaks. These gorgeous high, glacier laden mountains surrounded this aqua blue water and made for a highlight of our trip. Stephen dunked his head in the mountain water lake (and said it gave him a headache); followed by Dad deciding that Steve was not going to have one up on him, so into the icy frigid water Dad dunked his head totally not finding the exquisite joy that Steve get’s out of the experience.

Mirror Lake

On our way back to Banff we of course looked for wildlife – only to see a couple of bucks. Disappointed in our wildlife find, we turned into Vermillion Lakes again, knowing that everytime we go in to that Lake chain we see wildlife somewhere. Well, we were not disappointed…5 minutes into the slow ride around the lakes we came across about 3 big elk. All of a sudden we saw in our rearview mirror 2 great big female elk galloping on the road behind us!

Johnston Canyon

Moraine Lake

Lake Louise

Lake Louise