We decided that rather than the required 5am dash for a chance to park at the Lake Louise car park we would cycle up the 4kms at our leisure. We cycled the Tramline trail which was lovely and peaceful and until we reached the crowds at the lakeside.
We headed straight up the trail, against the main flow of the people. As we climbed higher you could see how milky green Lake Louise is.
We passed Mirror Lake (no reflection today) and carried on to Agnes Lake.
We got to Agnes Teahouse, just in time for a slice of chocolate cake and a hot chocolate. It’s amazing to think that everyday the staff here hike in the fresh supplies and hike down any garbage. Once a year they helicopter drop all the dry supplies needed for the year.
Next we walked around the lake and up the Big Beehive. From the top we could see Lake Louise to our right and Agnes Lake to our left.
When we got right to the very edge of the cliff we could even see Mirror Lake directly beneath us.
Then we turned and saw silhouettes above us. I took out the binoculars to check and yup, it was people! The cliffs of the stack they stood on looked so sheer we presumed that must be rock climbers. But then we pointed them out to another couple of walkers and they told us it was called Devil’s Thumb and that you could hike/scramble it and they intended to do so next. Wow! So of course, we had to do it too. The track first lead us up the valley towards the glaciars and around the back of the peak. From there it was pretty steep, especially the scree shoots. Let’s just say, I was glad I had my grippy walking boots on !
But we made it to the top and it felt like we were on top of the world. The Big Beehive looked so small beneath us.
A few quick photos and then we started our descent as we knew it would be dark now before we got back to Fred. Our return walk was deserted and we only saw people when we caught up with three young girls who’d also climbed Devil’s Thumb and we’re on a four-day trip to Canada, all sleeping in one car – oh the joys of youth!
The next day we thought we’d have sore legs so we planned to take the shuttle bus to Lake Morraine – WRONG! We found the queue and it was at least an hour and a half long. Then we realised we’d have to go to Lake Louise first, then get off and wait for a Morraine Lake shuttle. Oh no! Out came the bikes again. We cycled the 12km road which was pretty quiet as it was closed apart from the odd shuttle bus and some tour buses.
As soon as we arrived at the lake we were greeted by crowds of Asian tourists but a quick scramble up a steep pile of rocks saw most of them off and we could get our first uninterrupted view of the lake. The colour is just amazing!
Such a bright turquoise blue that it looks like things in the foreground are superimposed on it and the canoes floating above it.
We thought about renting a canoe but when we got round to the kiosk we saw the prices !!! OMG – it was $120 for one hour – we couldn’t believe how many people paid it !!!! That was more the Rubber Duckie cost to buy. Hmm we’d have to wait to take our kayak out on another lake.
A walk around the lakeside and some photos posing on a fallen tree followed by an ice cream was enjoyed before the return cycle.
Pete didnt want to freewheel down the nice smooth road back to our parked van. He had spotted a multi-use trail through the forest called Highline. And it lived up to its name.- we seemed to climb alot for a descent. It was pretty technical and sometimes we had ro get off and walk over the rockfalls. It took us a long time to get back, during which time Pete was not allowed to mention his sore stomach from his earlier crash, but in the end I had to admit, I quite enjoyed it.
We rewarded ourselves with a short drive to Lake Herbert for a swim and wash in a not too cold lake before another night in the crazy overflow carpark.
