Plain of Six Glaciers

a favorite hike
in three installments
 

PART TWO

 

The hike continues from last week's POST.  

surrounded by Intense beauty

Look closely and you will see that there is a metal chain along the rock wall.  Using it wasn't necessary because the path was wide enough and not slippery.

looking back at Lake Louise

almost there!

a bench on which to sit and absorb the views and pristine air

the tea house!  where fresh bread, soup, sandwiches, sweets, and tea are offered 

I love the idea of a tea house high up in the mountains where one can relax and revive after a hike.

How do all the supplies get way up here?  What happens to the garbage?

 

The scenery at this point and along the entire hike is Intensely beautiful.  From here there is a trail that climbs up to a glacier.  That's a hike for another trip!

 
commentary from last week:
Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is one of the most spectacular places on Earth.  My husband and I were privileged to visit twice in 2 consecutive years.  The Plain of  Six Glaciers is my top, number 1 favorite hike I've ever done.  This is because the scenery is breathtakingly spectacular every single step of the way!  My photos do not do justice.  Yet I offer them as a small taste of possibility.

There are links in last week's POST as well.  You can also see a map of this hike and will note that it is basically straight up.

Alphabe-Thursday, hosted by Ms Jenny, is so much fun!  This week our letter is  "I."   --for Intense Beauty--  Come visit others' submissions HERE and join in the fun!  


Thank you, Ms Jenny, for hostessing another round! 
 
photos by me  © 2013   all rights reserved

Plain of Six Glaciers

a favorite hike 
in three installments

PART ONE

Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is one of the most spectacular places on Earth.  My husband and I were privileged to visit twice in 2 consecutive years.  The Plain of  Six Glaciers is my top, number 1 favorite hike I've ever done.  This is because the scenery is breathtakingly spectacular every single step of the way!  My photos do not do justice.  Yet I offer them as a small taste of possibility.

The hike begins on the far side of the lake after walking on the paved pathway.

The lake is a beautiful turquoise or emerald depending on sunshine, clouds, and time of day.  We're aiming for the valley between the mountains at the back of this photo.  

Looking back, see The Fairmont Lake Louise hotel, where this hike began.

 nearly at the far end of the lake now
NOTE:  We did not have to climb over these rocks.  They were beside the path which is still flat at this point.

a popular spot for rock climbing.  See the climber?  (turquoise jacket)

The path continues on and is still fairly level and even.

Now we must cross over the silvery water on a path of rocks.

The path begins to rise, traveling through forest and meadow.

aaahhh... the intense beauty!  (oops..that's next week's post!)

the intersection of several paths.  2nd to last arrow says Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House--that is where we are heading!  (Yes a tea house high in the mountains!  more on that next week)

The scenery is constantly breathtaking!  The silvery strip is the glacial stream that feeds into the lake.

I will leave you with this view and continue the hike next week.

source:  google maps from this website

The large blue lake is Lake Louise.  The hike we took is the long, rather straight yellow one that extends down and to the left.  (The path is basically straight up with some switchbacks.  3.3 miles [5.3km] one way, 1198 feet [365m] elevation gain)

LINKS: 
Parks Canada--Banff
Banff Lake Louise--map of Lake Louise area with hikes indicated and brief descriptions below
photos with descriptions of Plain of Six Glaciers hike (Steve Hall)

Alphabe-Thursday, hosted by Ms Jenny, is so much fun!  This week our letter is  "H."   --for Hike--  Come visit others' submissions HERE and join in the fun!  


Thank you, Ms Jenny, for hostessing another round! 
 
photos by me  © 2013   all rights reserved