Lake Louise

Under mostly cloudy skies, we drove up to Lake Louise this morning.  The parking lots were filling fast but we managed to find a spot.  While Ted used the restrooms, I walked the path to the lake and came out by the canoe concession.  They charge $45.00 per hour to rent a canoe.  That makes MacArthur Beach rates a steal.  There were a lot of people, mostly Asians on the boardwalk beside the lake and in front of the huge chateau.  I wandered the edge reading the interpretive signs and looking out at the gorgeous turquoise water and Victoria Glacier.

On the Way to Lake Louise

Canoe Rental with Victoria Glacier in Background

At the other end of the lake is Mount Victoria (11,365 feet) with its beautiful glacier.  When the clouds lifted enough, we could see the cracks and crevasses in the huge glacier which one sign said was thicker than twice the height of the Chateau.  The mountain is part of the continental divide.

Victoria Glacier and Lake Louise

The lake itself is fed by six glaciers and even in summer is less than 50 degrees F.  It is often frozen from November through June and the ice is more than three feet thick.  The fine powder, or rock flour, caused by the grinding glaciers is washed into the lake by meltwaters. The resultant silty water absorbs all colors except the turquoise and vivid blue that is reflected back to us.  Most of the rock flour settles to the bottom over the winter causing the water to look an intense color of blue in the spring.

Beautiful Color

We walked a path up towards the front of the Chateau enjoying the flowers along the way.   Then we walked the path on the far side of the lake until we found a secluded bench at the edge of the lake.   We sat there for quite awhile viewing the lake, glacier, paddle boarders and canoes through our binoculars.  A Clark's nutcracker, a pretty gray, black and white bird, landed on the stone wall in front of us and I was able to get a photo of it. 

Lake Louise Chateau

The Flowers Were Great

Our Secluded Spot With Trees Sheltering the Area

Clark's Nutcracker

Another View of the Chateau

We walked back and wandered through the Chateau for a bit window shopping and admiring the decor before returning to the car.  

Chateau Lobby

Restaurant Corridor

Main Entrance

We then took the drive to Lake Moraine which is an even brighter, almost teal, lake situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.  The lodge here is much smaller as is the parking area.   We walked a short way beside the lake enjoying the tall mountains and the beautiful lake but the wind was strong coming down the lake and the temperatures were low so we didn't stay long.  We did check out where we might launch our kayaks another day, though.

Valley of the Ten Peaks

On the Way to Moraine Lake

First View of Moraine Lake

Log Jam at End of Lake

Moraine Lake

Rock Pile and Log Jam at Outlet

Back at the motorhome, Ted wasn't feeling all that great so we settled down to read for awhile thinking to go for a ride later.  Later brought rain so we stayed in and watched a movie.