The kids had what the school calls a “fall break.” A five-day weekend in the middle of November. I called it the perfect opportunity to leave them with Mom while I found some adventures.
Lake Louise is easily my favourite place, any season. Winter months have my favourite skiing destination. You can find me on the Larch side, skiing the relatively deserted green runs entirely too fast. But the summer months really shine. Incredibly rewarding hiking trails are there, though most visitors don’t get past the shores of the lake.
Then if you’re willing to venture out from the Chateau grounds, you can visit the destinations nearby. Morraine Lake is a lot like Lake Louise, but even more beautiful. It’s one of the most photographed places in the world, even if it’s become far more difficult to access for its popularity. There are some pretty amazing hikes there as well.
Lake Louise is also at the southern tip of the Icefields Parkway. And if you’re willing to drive a few minutes up there, you’ll find plenty of awesome hikes, breathtaking mountains, and beautiful vistas that don’t see as many tour buses.
The Lake Agnes Trail is a busy — but incredibly rewarding — hike that starts at the Chateau Lake Louise and Climbs up to the eponymous tea house on the lake.
A classic shot of Lake Louise on a calm morning.
I took this early on a Sunday morning, and the boardwalk/beach was practically deserted. I met the only other person out that early, a woman from Ontario. It was her first time in the Rockies, and she was desperate to take in as much as she could before she went home.
But it’s never enough.
