Day 14 - Lake Louise.

Friday 17th June.
It was so nice this morning not having to get up early to pack our bags and head off in the car again. Instead we were able to take our time and plan our day.
Today we hiked to the Lake Agnes tea house. We had to drive to the Fairmount Hotel on Lake Louise and then begin the climb.
The information about the trail said the hike is, "moderate, depending on trail conditions'. We found it quite hard going as we weren't expecting it to be quite so steep. However the views were spectacular. 

The distance of the hike was 7km and the elevation 400m so I guess it shouldn't have come as such a surprise! The cool thing is that exactly 2 years ago we climbed up to O'Cebreiro (twice the climb we did today) on our camino - then we were so fit we thought nothing of it - I guess we are not that fit anymore! 

The Tea House was packed with people when we reached it so we didn't stay, we just admired the view and started back down. Thank goodness for hiking poles, they make the decent so much easier.

We had a quick look around the ground floor of the Fairmont Hotel on our way back to the car but it was crowded with tourists, I think some coach parties had just arrived, so it was difficult to really appreciate it's splendour.

In fact it is quite dangerous walking the banks of Lake Louise as there are so many Japanese and Chinese people taking photos with selfie sticks that you run the risk of loosing an eye or having a phone inserted in your ear! We had fun watching a group and wondering which one was going to fall backwards into the lake!

We then went to Lake Louise ski resort. They claim that you will see bears, grizzly and black, from their ski lift. This time Gary went on the ski lift alone - we didn't need another long down hill hike. It was quite chilly and I was glad to wait in the cafe and drink coffee while he braved the weather. Needless to say Gary didn't see any bears - he just got cold and windswept!

Lake Louise - it's such a beautiful colour.

It was cold this morning - there was frost outside when we woke up.

The path was smooth in places more worn and rocky in others.

We could glimpse Lake Louise through the trees

This is Glass Lake with The Beehive behind.

Another view of trees and mountains.

We could hear the water from a long way away.

The waterfall disappearing down the mountain.

Lake Agnes - breathtaking!

Proof that we really climbed it. 

It snowed a little during our climb and obviously even more higher up.

Snow covered peaks above Lake Louise

The Fairmount Hotel at the edge of the lake

Gary took these photos of his trip up the ski hill looking for bears.

Yes, it was a good idea for me to stay at the bottom.

Lake Louise from the top of the ski lift. It looks like it's glowing.

What a great sounding brewery and beer!