Another bright and beautiful day but a very chilly 0C start. Not many of us enjoyed the tent last night.

The jewel in the crown is Lake Louise and the walks around the lake so we decided to make this our day’s activities. We discussed our options at the Visitors Centre and was told of a moderate loop walk of 15 km along the lake and 364m up to Lake Agnes which has a tea house. What she failed to tell us was the path to Lake Agnes was all up.

Lake Louise

The number of people at the lake was astounding given that it is September. The main car park was already full by the time we got there so another km was added to the walk from the next car park.

Another point of note is the number of Australian kids working here. It is almost as common to hear an Aussie accent as Canadian.

The first view of the lake is breathtaking and it is understandable why so many rave about it. So off to Lake Agnes, only 3.4 km. We thought that morning tea in an hour a piece of cake. But the track started up and stayed that way for the entire track.

Fortunately Nicky got ahead of us and found the queue at the tea house very long so she held places for the rest of us.

Mirror lake and some more magnificent mountains on the way.

Lake Agnes

View from the top with Lake Agnes car park in the foreground. We were 7005 feet high having climbed 1204 feet elevation ( sounds more impressive in feet ).

Morning tea became lunch. Service was very slow but the food was good. All food, drinks and cooking materials are carried in daily by staff. Water comes by helicopter and is $4 per bottle. It is still a family run business since 1981.

Nicky and Peter went on for the full loop walk while Collette and I decided the walk back down hill would be enough for our knees.

Lake Louise. That colour is real.

The Fairmont which overlooks the lake. Yours for $3000 per night.

The chipmunks were very cute and friendly. Lot smaller than I imagined.

We were all exhausted by the time we got back to camp. Collette worked up another one pot wonder and it was an early night in the sleeping bags.