What's up fellow travelers!
Morant's curve in the picture below, highly coveted area one the side of the Beginning of the Icefield Parkway taking the Castle mountain Junction and driving down the road a little. If you are a train in the mountain photography aficionado, this is the ultimate shot to get in Banff well worth the detour. Hard to tell when a train comes, it can take a while...I like to try my luck...winner winner chicken dinner! Took me a bit but I finally have my own.
With the peak of the current artic vortex, I'm well, choosing to be a little housebound because who wants to be out there! After writing the cold post, I half snoozed but not really but still feeling type-ambitious for some reason. I might as well put it to good use and get started on another post while I'm feeling it. Been a minute since I did a mountain post and I wanted a bit of warm summer and sunshine even if just in photos.
The bridge that goes over the road are part of safety project for both visitors and animals alike. The side of the highway is fenced to keep the wildlife away from the busy road and these crossings show up now and again designed to be like their natural habitat at the top to promote safe animal crossing without being a hazard to traffic. These animal bridges are real life saving innovation. We need more of these across Canada.
Since I have been lazy about posting my trips from the last few years, I have the perfect remedy for the winter blues. SUMMER MOUNTAINS. I don't think I have shared most these on Hive yet, maybe one here and there. They would be part of a Banff collection taken in summer of 2022. As per usual, we stayed at a borrowed apartment in the near-by town of Canmore as most of our Banff trips. If there is a way to cut costs a little, means more trips out generally. Even for a local, it gets very expensive to hang around the Rockies.
I generally prefer Banff during shoulder season (non-peak, in between) just to avoid the tons and tons of crowds but we were entertaining out of province visitors and wanted to display our precious gem and the heart of Alberta. Honestly tho, there is too many to really pin point it to one but most of the world want to see Banff when they come here for a vacation. I can't say I blame them but it leaves the small town and narrow streets heavily burdened and impossible to navigate thru during the summer.
Nonetheless, it's still well worth the pains of tourist overcrowding and slow pace. To do anything in town, well it is what it is. Plan for weekdays and it may be a little less. Spreading out to other locations less centrally located is a great way to run away from the crowds. The more popular it becomes, the more that becomes difficult as well. The best of tips, find a place to park and walk everywhere, the first place you see. There is enough bridges everywhere to support pedestrian traffic. The bridge below is a newer addition that connects with the park across the river without having to walk near vehicle traffic.
Since covid and increase in traffic numbers and parking being limited, many areas that were free parking like Lake Louise now have a hefty day parking fee. I still have to visit and swallow my pride on the fees as it's too breathtaking to pass up. Once upon a time, we could drive a little further to Moraine Lake but once again, narrow winding road and small parking that became a real circus. From once being next to unknown to being one of the most famous lakes in Alberta and photography. Even at 3 am, it was already an impossible situation. Since then, driving up isn't allowed anymore and supplied bussing must be taken up from the gondola parking. Bus tickets are affordable-ish. Expensive but manageable and certainly worth the view. Book ahead if you can or risk a 4 hour wait.
I didn't go on that trip because there was too much of a line up and I thought it might be nice to visit the gondola. I always put it aside because it's last on the list and I tend to spend too much time everywhere else and that's the item to get sacrificed. With the company and the 4 hour wait to go to Moraine Lake that I just wasn't willing to do, they had never gone up a gondola and all were a little afraid of heights but open minded enough to give it a go and just drive up to Lake Louise and finish the evening quietly at Castle Mountain. This line up was hardly a consolation prize in itself.
The crowds for the bus tend to mingle in front of the main lodge but it's easy to navigate thru, going down in the large set of stairs to he main entrance. Inside the lodge, there is guest washrooms along with a cafeteria, your average trinket store along with ticket bookings for the trip up the mountain can be purchased. There is a high turn over of staff and they are not always helpful, you might get the run around a few times so it's easier to follow the signs around. Seems like most of the parking spaces are for the bus folks so don't get too discouraged, it's not a reflection of what is happening on the mountain.
Perfect! In the winter, it doubles as a ski hill and has both the cabin and open seat style to get a ride up to the museum area. I prefer the open air ride on the ski lift rather than the cabin. If one is nervous at heights, perhaps a cabin is preferable but I promise, it goes slow and despite the height, it's quite safe. It was my second time riding it and loved it both times. the ride doesn't take long, perhaps 10 to 15 minutes, enough time to soak in the view. As you can see, these are sturdy metal cables, it gets a little wabbly or jumpy when it goes over the support towers but it's smooth enough and not that scary. As you can see in the photos below, there is considerable height and once you're on, you're fully committed and there is no turning back. But that view tho!
One the way up, it's a bit boring because we are staring at the mountain rather than the landscape view behind but paying attention below, Grizzly's can be spotted travelling around the terrain so keep your camera handy nonetheless. Yes, it is bear territory. Don't panic, it's a highly touristic area and most of it is fenced off to keep visitors safe. No need for bear spray unless you plan on going to an extended hike. In which case bear activity can be double checked with the staff with the green shirts, the Park's Canada greeting squad. A fun thing I like to do is wave at those that pass by in the opposite direction. They generally smile and wave back. The culture is friendly to a whole new level in the rockies, refreshing break from city coldness between strangers.
Once off the gondola, there is no shortage of Park Canada guides walking around to direct traffic and answer any questions about the park especially the Lake Louise operations and history. That is their job and will gladly help out in anyway they can. If nobody is around, there is enough signage and things are pretty visible. The building with the red tops, that's a restaurant/ bar to be able to have some cocktails or a bit during your tour and just sit on the patio for the view and nice weather. As you could see, there was still a few patches of snow left and this was in July.
First before heading for refreshments and tasty treats, right off the gondola, there is a platform to take photos, selfies, whatever you want, the Parks Canada peeps might even give you a hand with that if you are friendly with them, most things is just about asking if they are not busy, their job is to actually enhance visitor experience and interact. If I was rich, I might do that job out of boredom in the summer, I might want a chair tho, a wilderness throne of my own 😂... haha. The view is amazing and there are topography maps along with other useful information about the region. there is a network of trails that go either further up the mountain or to the visitor center. There isn't much for wildflowers given the altitude besides a multitude of wild strawberry plant. Most of the flowers in this post are from the various decorative displays in the common areas.
The trail to the visitor center takes a bit to get thru, maybe 10 to 15 minutes, the trail is lined with signage that give additional information about the various species of animals that can be spotted on the grounds, they make great undercover checkpoints to covertly catch your breath while convincing everyone you just wanna read the sign! 😁 One the way there isn't bad mostly downhill but the way back is a bit of a slow incline. The average person it's not a big deal but mobility issues would be.
Not to worry, the staff at the visitor center also pride themselves with friendliness service and a good experience for the guests and side by side and other small terrain vehicles to help get that elderly or health compromised loved one get around easier. Obviously some things can cost a pretty penny to experience but they do very well at hosting and accommodating. I can't say in a decade and a half to have seen otherwise during my experiences. The drinks and food is no different but the logistics of getting food items and such up the mountain daily has additional costs and efforts required. I still like to splurge a little and feel like a rock star.
Back when I still had long hair. Some days I miss it, others not!
Given food cost so much, we travel with a cooler and a mini camping bbq, generally helps cut down on meals out and often turn it to a fancy drink or two on the mountain. Living in Canmore helps as the supermarket is only 5 minutes away. Given there was 5 of us eating at Lake Louise township would be soooo expensive with a glass of wine costing almost $20. I planned ahead and got some steaks, broccoli and potatoes. I cubed and cooked the potatoes and vegetables, cubed the meat and wrapped it in 5 individual foil packs with chunks of onions and garlic butter and threw it in the cooler for a mini bbq in a park on the way to the lake after the gondola. Being equipped as a regular can save you a few bucks and allows to stretch the budget to allow a few indulgences.
We did stay and enjoy baking in the summer sunshine for a round of drinks, alcoholic or mocktails, it sounded like a treat for every one. The view from the patio is magnificent on a nice day and the drinks were still pretty good, I had a bacon Caesar, of course the bacon was the first thing gone before someone stole it, figured I wouldn't have to wrestle anyone at my table for the pickled asparagus. We were lucky and got warm temps in the 20's and minimal clouds or fog but there is still a natural haze when looking down due to altitude and atmosphere. It's strange from heights, you can see the atmosphere, it's like a blue haze when looking below...Just one of my dumb observations. 😆
The restaurant wasn't too busy being in the middle of the afternoon, a few on the deck but hardly anyone inside. The décor was interesting, a series of locally hand crafted metal art that represented various mountainous scenes. Almost certain they were also for sale along with being a display. Local supporting local, gotta love it. It gave me a chance to take some photos without feeling like I'm disrupting other guests or invading their privacy. I posted the artist's contacts in a photo above just in case anyone is interested. I liked this venue, it had a certain rustic charm you would expect of the Rockies.
Below the restaurant is the visitor center, inside is a mini museum displaying various works of taxidermy along with a more in-depth education on the species of the landscape and how to protect ourselves with timing, updated trail information along with what to do in the event of an accidental encounter. It's free to visit, and the museum staff is always happy to help with any questions or additional information about many activities happening around the park. Doesn't take long to get around, maybe half hour, it's a nice break from the sun and heat. Always keep in mind, it's much cooler on top of a mountain so dress warm or bring a jacket even if it's a warm summer day. As you saw in earlier photos, there was still snow banks scattered here and there.
Considerable amount of time was spent on the gondola activity since it was the priciest item on the list, we headed off and briefly explored the grounds as we mad our way out back to the parking lot. Having been there for hours, everyone was hungry and it was time for dinner. We headed toward Lake Louise touristic area that is just across from the township and headed up. Right before or after the Moraine Lake turn-off, there is a park with picnic tables and sheltered cooking area. Great place to stop for the more self sufficient travelers. That's where we had our steak foils but to hungry to think of taking pictures.
Canoe rentals are generally available all summer long to close down and pack up for fall and winter. The cabin that is famous in photos is actually the boathouse.
After we had our bellies filled and refueled, it was time to go up to the lake. We didn't do any hikes, it was too late to venture all that far so a nice cold dip of the feet to test the lake and to say I had done it. BRR that water is cold, even in the summer, it's only about 5 degrees celcius...One has to do it anyway.
The big Lake Louise glacier is called "Victoria Glacier". In the summer, the hotel's courtyard is well decorated with various flower assortments and hedges changing from year to year, season to season. Magnificient place to visit even if it's just a quick stop while driving by. Well worth the time and clear why it's a world coveted view.
The light levels change all day long, reflections are more likely early in the morning or later before golden hour. It was a hazy day, the distant glacier and mountain wasn't as crisp and clear as I normally like them but the view is still more than enough.
The Rockies are so massive with so much to see I might have to save the castle mountain photos for the drive. Pretty cool when I can see enough one the drive there to make that a post in itself. I do like to take passenger side photos out of the moving vehicle. Many of the road photos are actually strait from the inside of the windshield as we travel around. It's a skill and not easy but so many worthy views have no safe place to stop so on the fly photography it becomes. This probably enough of a post for now. Nah I think I might still like my short hair better. I'm trying to decide if I keep it short or grow my hair long again.
hope you enjoyed the Lake Louise gondola experience with a quick lakeside tour. Both locations require some travelling between each, it's certainly one full day of entertainment and worthy experiences to be had for such a small township. Beauty! Peace out xox