Lake Louise Hiking: Lake Agnes Trail

Lake Louise - Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Lake Agnes near Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada. Mount Whyte (2,983 m) is the peak at top centre. The tip of Mount Niblock (2,976 m) can be seen at the top right. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lake Agnes Trail:

Our hike yesterday was another unbelievable experience. While we could have done without the traffic on Highway 1, the lineup of vehicles at the entry way to Banff National Park and then the copious amounts of tourists and locals at Lake Louise itself. We did manage to find a parking place at a lot down the hill leading to the Chateau Lake Louise and then commenced an absolutely brilliant day.

We finished it off with a short sideline trip into Banff on the way back with supper at Eddie Burger.

High tea amid high peaks

Length: 3.5 km (2.2 mi) one way
Elevation gain: 400 m (1,300 ft)
Walking time: 1 to 1.5 hours one way
Starting point: In front of the Chateau Lake Louise
Origin of the name: Lady Susan Agnes MacDonald, wife of Canada’s first Prime Minister

"Lake Agnes is hidden in a hanging valley high above Lake Louise. In addition to its own charms, which include a teahouse, the two Beehives provide breathtaking views of Lake Louise and a broad stretch of the Bow Valley.

As you walk along the shoreline of Lake Louise, the trail to Lake Agnes branches right just beyond the hotel, then climbs steadily through dense subalpine forest. After 1.7 kilometres (1.1 miles), the first switchback marks a break in the trees where you have a clear view down to the pale turquoise water of Lake Louise. Another one kilometre (0.6 miles) of forest-enclosedclimbing brings you to Mirror Lake, a tiny lake with dark, layered cliffs of the Big Beehive looming above."

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We also took up the option of Little Beehive for some spectacular extra views and much less trail traffic.

Options: "The most popular short hike beyond Lake Agnes is to Little Beehive,which provides an excellent panorama of the Bow River stretching from the mountains near its headwaters to surrounding peaks around the town of Banff to the south. Between Lake Agnes and Little Beehive are a number of rocky viewpoints overlooking Lake Louise, the hanging valley containing Lake Agnes, and Mount Aberdeen and the glacier-crowned peaks of Mounts Lefroy and Victoria. This 0.9-kilometre (0.6-mile) trail branches uphill from the shore of Lake Agnes just beyond the teahouse."

For more info:

http://www.summerthought.com/banff.hiking.lake.agnes.htm

http://www.lakeagnesteahouse.com/