BootsnAll Travel Blogs

odd place -the ‘town’ : its basically a carpark with a number of shops around it, then to one side of that is a couple of inns and the hostel
smashing hostel though – similar to Banff in that its in an ‘alpine’ design (expensive though at $35/18 quid per night)
Lake Louise is gorgeous: beautiful colour and the head of the lake has the plain of the 6 glaciers which are almost all visible from the lake. the only downside is the ‘chateau’ hotel at the end of the lake, which spoils it, I reckon
I walked up the plain of 6 glaciers on the first day – its a good walk thru forests then ‘sub-alpine’ right up to……………the tea shop!…a proper alpine looking teashop reet up in the hills!..so I had a cup of coffee and a couple of scones with jam (well it would have been rude not to!)
then a walk along the top of a moraine to the glaciers….so beautiful and quiet…it was cold tho: bit of snow falling and obviously with the glaciers there its pretty cold.
next day, I went up to Peyto lake on the icefield parkway – OK, but not as good as I thought it would be. then I went a little further north to the Waterfowl lake – a really nice place. While I was chillin at the lakeside, the lake started to shimmer (you know, like in the Jurassic Park film with the drink cup?) and a moment or two later there was a bit of an avalanche on the other side of the lake…not sure if the shimmer was an earthquake that caused the avalanche or the avalanche caused the shimmer…either way it was kewl!
Next I drove tothe Takkakaw falls (3rd highest in Canada) nice place, I climbed/scambled right up the to the bottom of the falls: SO noisy and wet with spray – nice place to chill
back at the ranch, I drove to Moraine lake – it has the reputation for being better than Lake Louise, but it has a bend in it so you cant see right along it……gorgeous water colour tho
Met Mark (from Kilkenny) and had a few (too many) beers with him – he moved over here last year and is now working in Vancouver as a goldsmith. Next day was up the Louise gondola to the ski runs, bit of a hike later and I walked into a geet big Bighorn sheep!!!…that’ll teach me not to look down whilst I’m climbing steep trails!…quick reverse and I was outta there!
no bears around there (despite its brochures) theyve all moved over the hill to prep for the hibernation which should start in about 2 weeks I’m told
another drink sesh with Mark last night at thte Lake Louise Inn – some REALLY funny yanks dancing to Disco Duck etc. ….VERY amusing!
this morning Ive driven with Mark back to Banff where we’re both staying: I dopped off the car this morning – feels odd not having any transport.
…oh, and Mark paid LESS to get into the same hostel as me…not sure how THAT works! :^(