HIKING AT LAKE LOUISE, Alberta, Canada The variety of hiking opportunities in the vicinity of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is surely equal to any area on the face of the earth. Hiking is best early. The two main trailheads are Chateau Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Two trails lead from the village to the chateau ( a pleasant alternative to driving the step and very busy Lake Louise Drive). Shortest is the 2.7 km Louise Creek Trail. It begins on the downstream side of the point where Lake Louise Dr. crosses the Bow River, crosses Louise Creek three times and ends at the Lake Louise parking lot. The other, Tramline is 4.5 km longer but not as steep. It begins behind the railway station and follows the route of a narrow gauge railway that once3 transported guests from the C.P.R. line to Chateau Lake Louise. Bow River Loop Length: 7 km (1.5 to 2 hours) roundtrip Elevation gain: minimal Rating: easy This loop follows both banks of the Bow River southeast from the railway station. It links the station to the hostel, Post Hotel, Samson Mall, both campgrounds and the Louise Creek and Tramline trails to Lake Louise, Interpretive signs along its length explain the ecosystem of the Bow River. It is used by joggers and cyclists to access various points in the village. Louise Lakeshore (heart chakra) Length: 2 km (30 minutes) one way Elevation gain: none Rating: easy Probably the park’s busiest trail, it follows the north shore of Lake Louise, beginning in front of the chateau and ending at the west end of the Lake. Numerous braided glacial streams here empty their silt filled waters into Lake Louise. Along its length are benches to sit and ponder. Plain of the Six Glaciers Length: 5.3 km (90 minutes) one way Elevation gain: 370 meters Rating: easy- moderate Hikers along this trail are not only rewarded with panoramic views of the glaciated peaks of the main range but at the end of the trail is a rustic teahouse servicing homemade goodies baked on a wooden stove.st two km the trial follows Louise Lakeshore Trail to the western end of the lake, from where it begins a steady uphill climb through a forest of spruce and alpine fir. It enters an open area where an avalanche has come tumbling down then passes through a forested area into a vast wasteland of moraines produced by the advance and retreat of Victoria Glacier. Views of surrounding peaks continue to improve until the trail switch backs through a stunted forest before arriving at the teahouse. It is open July through early September. After resting it is worthwhile continuing one km to the end of the trail at the top of a narrow ridge of lateral moraine. From here the trails namesakes are visible. From left to right the glaciers are Aberdeen, Upper Lefroy, Lower Lefroy, Upper Victoria, Lower Victoria and Pope’s. Between Mt Lefroy and Mt Victoria is Abbott Pass, where it is possible to make out Abbot Hut on the skyline. Lake Agnes Length: 3.6 km (90 minutes) one way Elevation gain: 400 meters Rating: moderate This hike is one of the park’s most popular. It begins in front of the chateau, branching right near the beginning of the Louise Lakeshore Trail. For the first 2,5 km the trail climbs steeply, switch backing through a forest of alpine fir and Engelmann spruce, crossing a horse trail, passing a lookout, and leveling out at tiny Mirror Lake. Here the old, traditional trail veers right (use if it is wet or snowy underfoot) while a more direct route veers left to the Plain of the Six Glaciers. Take a sharp right along a trail that climbs steeply below the Big Beehive. The final elevation gain along both trails is made easier by a flight of steps beside Bridal Veil Falls, ending beside a rustic teahouse that overlooks Lake Agnes, a subalpine lake nestled in a hanging valley carved out by a receding glacier. Teahouse. From the teahouse a one km trail leads to Little Beehive and impressive views of the Bow Valley. Another trail leads around the northern shore of Lake Agnes, climbing to Big Beehive (see below) or to the Plain of the Six Glaciers (see above) 3.2 km from the chateau and 2.1 km from the teahouse at the end of that trail. Big Beehive Length: 5 km (2 hours) one way Elevation gain: 520 meters Rating: moderate The lookout atop the larger of two “beehives” is one of the best places to admire the uniquely colored waters of Lake Louse, over half a kilometer directly below. The many variations in trails to the summit have one thing in common – all are steep. But the rewards are worth every drop of sweat along the way. The most popular route follows the Lake Agnes Trail for the first 3.6 km to Lake Agnes. From the teahouse, a trail leads to the western end of the lake, then switch backs steeply up an exposed north- facing ridge. At the crest of the ridge, the trail forks. To the right it descends to the Plain o the Six Glaciers Trail, to the left it continues 300 meters to a log gazebo. This trail is not well defined but scrambling through the large boulders is easy. Across Lake Louise is Fairview Mount and behind this peak is the distinctive shape of Mt. Temple. Views also extend up the lake to Mt. Lefroy and northeast to Lake Louise Ski Area. Views from the edge of the cliff are spectacular but be very careful. By returning down the Lake Louise side of the Big Beehive the loop is 11.5 km (4-5 hours). Saddle Back Length: 3.7 km (90 minutes) one way Elevation gain: 600 meters Rating: easy-moderate This trail climbs the lower slopes of Fairview Mountain from beside the boat shed on Lake Louise, ending in an alpine meadow with a view of Mt. Temple from across Paradise Valley. 400 Meters from the trailhead the trail forks. Keep left and follow the steep switch backs through a forest of Englemann spruce and alphine fir until reaching the flower filled meadow. The meadow is actually a pass between Fairview Mountain (to the northwest) and Saddle Mountain (to the southeast). Although most hikers are content with the awesome views from the pass and return along the same trail, it is possible to continue to the summer of Fairview (2,745 meters), a further climb of 400 vertical meters. The barely discernible, switch backing trail to the summit begins near a stand of larch trees above the crest of Saddleback. As you would expect, the view from the top is stupendous; Lake Louise is over one km directly below. Paradise Valley Length: 18 km (6 hours roundtrip) Elevation gain: 380 meters Rating: moderate This aptly named trail makes for a long day hike, but it can be broken up by overnighting at the backcountry campground at the far end of the loop. The trailhead is located 3.5 km along the Moraine Lake Rd. in a heavily forested area on the right. The trail climbs steadily for the first 5 km, crossing Paradise Creek numerous times and passing the junction of a trail that climbs the Sheol Valley to Saddleback (see above). After 5 km the trail divides again, following either side of the valley, forming a 13 km loop. Lake Annete is 700 meters along the left fork. It is a typical subalpine lake in a unique setting – nestled against the near vertical 1,200 meters north face of snow and ice capped Mt. Temple (3,549 meters) one of the 10 highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies. The lake is a worthy destination in itself – allow yourself four hours roundtrip from the trailhead. For those continuing the entire loop continue beyond the lake into an open valance area that affords views across Paradise Valley. Look and listen for pikas and marmots among the boulders. The trail then passes through Horseshoe Meadow, crosses Paradise Creek, and begins back down the valley. Keep to the let at all trail crossings and you will quickly arrive at a series of waterfalls known as the Giant Steps. From the base of these falls it is 8 km back to the trailhead. Consolation Lakes Length: 3 km (1 hour) one way Elevation gain: 65 meters Rating: easy and moderate This short trail begins from the bridge over Moraine Creek near the Moraine Lake parking lot and ends at a pleasant subalpine lake. The first section of the trail traverses a boulder strew rock pile = the result of rock slides on the imposing Tower of Babel (3,101 meters) – before entering a dense forest of Engelmann spruce and alpine fir and following Babel Creek to the lower lake. The wide valley affords 360 degrees views of the surround jagged peaks, including Mt Temple back down the valley and Mt Bident and Mt. Quandra at the far end of the lakes. After a break you than can continue to Upper Consolation Lake by crossing Babel Creek and following a usually wet and muddy trail along the lake’s eastern shore. *****Larch Valley Length: 2.9 km (60-90 minutes) one way Elevation gain: 450 meters Rating: moderate In autumn when larch trees have turned a magnificent gold and the sun is shining, few spots in the Canadian Rockies can match the beauty of this valley. The trail begins just past Moraine Lake Lodge and climbs fairly steeply with occasional glimpses of Moraine Lake (throat chakra) below. After reaching the junction of the Eiffel Lake Trail, keep right, passing through an open forest of larch and into the meadow beyond. The range of larch is restricted within the park and this is one of the few areas where they are prolific. Mount Fay (3,235 meters) is the dominant peak on the skyline, rising above the other mountains that make up the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Keen hikers will want to continue through the meadows to Sentinel Pass (2,608 meters), one of the park’s highest passes. From the end of the meadow, the trail switch backs for 1.2 km up a steep slope to the pass, sandwiched between Pinnancle Mountain (3,067 meters) and Mt. Temple (3,549 meters). From the pass most hikers opt to return along the same trail, although it is possible to continue into Paradise Valley. Eiffel Lake Length: 5.6 km (2 hours) one way Elevation: 400 meters Rating: moderate-difficult The Eiffel Lake is small and looks even smaller in its rugged and desolate setting, surrounded by the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks. For the first 2.4 km follow the Larch Valley Trail (see above), then fork left. Most of the elevation gain has already been made, and the trail remains relatively level before emerging onto an open slope from where each of the 10 peaks can be seen, along with Moraine Lake far below. From left to right the peaks are ay, Little, Bowlen, Perren, Septa, Allen, Tuzo, Deltaform, Neptuak and Wenchemna. The final two peaks are divined by Wenchemna Pass (2,605 meters), 4 km father and 360 vertical meters above Eifel Lake. The Lake itself comes into view. It lies in a depression formed by a rock slide from Neptuak Mountain. The lake is named for Eiffel Peak (3,085 meters) a rock pinnacle behind it, which with a little imagination could be compared to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Skoki Lake Length: 14.6 km (5 hours) one way Elevation: 775 meters Rating: moderate-difficult The trail into historic Skoki Lodge is only one of the endless hiking opportunities tucked behind Lake Louise Ski area, across the valley from all hikes detailed above. Access to the Skoki Valley is from a parking lot on a gravel road that braches right from the ski area access road. The first 4 km of the trail are along a gravel access road leading to Temple Lodge, part o Lake Louise Ski Area. From here, the trail climbs to Boulder Pass, passing a campground and Halfway Hut, above Corral Creek. The trail then follows the north shore of Ptarmigan Lake before climbing again to Deception Pass, named for its false summit. It then descends into Skoki Valley, passing the Skoki Lakes and eventually reaching Skoki Lodge. Just over 1 km beyond the lodge is a campground, an excelled base for exploring the region.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 20:04:16 +0000
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