Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

July 2007

Waterton Lakes National Park is located in the southern part of Alberta on the border with Glacier National Park in Montana. This is a beautiful park composed of rugged mountains, prairies, lakes and subalpine forests. It is a great place for hiking with hundreds of  kilometers of trails. While I was there I hiked several trails including Bear's Hump, Forum Lakes, Red Rock Canyon and Carthew Alderson Trail.

Panaramic view of Waterton Lakes from Bear's Hump

Prince of Wales Hotel

Waterton Lakes view from Prince of Wales Hotel

Forum Lakes, BC is a half day hike from Waterton Lakes

Carthew Alderson Trail

Carthew Alderson is an amazing hike which starts at Cameron Lake and ends at Cameron Falls. It offers spectacular views.

On my way from Banff National Park to Waterton Lakes I stopped at the Bar U Ranch and Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump.

The Bar-U Ranch is situated in the Foothills of Southern Alberta near Longview on Highway 22 (also known as the Cowboy Trail). From 1882 to 1950, the Bar U was one of the largest and most successful corporate ranches in Western Canada. Today, it is a National Historic Site consisting of over 30 historic buildings and a modern visitor orientation centre that illustrates the functionings of a typical western ranch.

You can wander the site either on foot or take a wagon ride pulled by two of the famous Bar U Percherons. Learn how to lasso a calf from a professional cowboy and sit by a camp fire and chuck wagon at Roundup Camp enjoying some fired brewed coffee and eating freshly made bannock.

There are many other interpretive buildings to explore on the premises such as the Bar U Post Office, cookhouse and stables.      

The ranch which is situated roughly 100 kms south of Calgary is well worth a visit and makes for a great day trip from Calgary. This is also great stop for those who are going to or coming back from Waterton Lakes National Park.

View of Bar-U Ranch and Canadian Rockies in the distance



Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo Jump is around 300 meters long and 10-18 meters high.

Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump is one of the world's largest and best preserved buffalo jumps located in the Porcupine Hills of southwestern Alberta. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. There is an impressive interpretive centre and museum which is built and blends into the ancient sandstone cliff. The centre is composed of 5 levels which depict the history and culture of the Native Americans.

Native people of the North American plains (The Blackfoot) used a creative strategy of rounding up the bison and chasing the herd down drive lanes lined with more than 500 stone cairns over a precipice. This began nearly 5,500-6,000 years ago and continued into the middle of the 19th century. After being killed due to the fall from the cliff, the dead carcasses were processed at a nearby camp. The bison provided the Native People of the Great Plains with food, hides for clothing and shelter, sinew, and bone for tools.

Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump is situated 18 kms west of Fort Macleod and roughly 180 kms south of Calgary. This is a great stop for those who are going to or coming back from Waterton Lakes National Park.

Plains of the Six Glaciers Hike,Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada

July 4, 2007

Along with Lake Ages, another popular trail in the Lake Louise area is the Plains of the Six Glaciers Trail. This trail brings you to the toe of the spectacular Victoria Glacier. As with Lake Agnes, there is also a tea house where you can rest and sample some of the delicious home-baked treats.

The trail head begins on the shoreline to the far right of Chateau Lake Louise. It follows the lake shore trail to the far end of the lake. It continues past the inlet creek that feeds Lake Louise and eventually emerges through the trees into a rocky terrain which ultimately leads to Victoria Glacier. There are many sites to enjoy along the way such as glaciers, moraines, avalanche paths and a variety of alpine wildflowers.

Six Glaciers Avalanche Path- A good place to spot mountain goats.

Hiker on Six Glaciers Trail.

A view of Lake Louise, Chateau Lake Louise and Lake Louise Ski Hill from the Six Glaciers Trail.

 

Six Glaciers Teahouse built in 1924 by Canadian Pacific Railroads for Swiss mountain guides.

Close-up of Victoria Glacier.

Consolation Lake Hike, Banff National Park, Canada

July 14, 2007

The trail for Consolation Lake starts at Moraine Lake. It's a short easy trail that offers spectacular scenery. The hike is roughly 3 km one way and has an elevation gain of 65m. It takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Other hikes starting at Moraine lake include Larch Valley, Sentinel Pass, Eiffel lake, Wenkchemna Pass, and the Rockpile.

Consolation Lake, Banff National Park

Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass Hike,Banff National Park, Canada

July 6, 2007

One of the most beautiful hikes in the Lake Louise area is Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. The trail head for Larch Valley begins in Moraine Lake just a short distance from Moraine Lake Lodge. It is well indicated.
Be aware, this area is prime black and grizzly bear country and Parks Canada puts up bear warning signs at the trail heads when there is evidence that a bear is in the area.

The trail steeply ascends through a dense forest with occasional glimpses of Moraine Lake. After climbing for several kilometers, the trail finally emerges into an open meadow with a stream. This is called the Larch Valley. It is a very popular area in the fall when the larches turn a magnificent golden colour. I took a well deserved rest here and ate my lunch.

Larch Valley, Banff National Park

On the way to Sentinel Pass

The trail continues to make it's way through the valley until it finally passes the last trees. At this point, Sentinel Pass is clearly visible. As you continue on, you'll pass some lakes and begin to climb a series of streneous and very steep switchbacks to Sentinel Pass. The views from either side of the pass are simply incredible.On one side, from the direction that you came, a magnificient view of the Valley of the Ten Peaks and on the other side, a view of Paradise Valley.

A series of very steep switchbacks leads to Sentinel Pass situated at 2611m elevation

View of Valley of the Ten Peaks from Sentinel Pass

View of Paradise Valley from Sentinel Pass

Lake Agnes Hike, Banff National Park, Alberta

Lake Agnes is one of the most hiked trails in the Canadian Rockies because of its location and accessibility. It is a magnificent half-day hike that offers many stunning views especially if you push on to the Little and Big Beehives Viewpoints.

The trail head begins on the shoreline to the far right of Chateau Lake Louise. It is well indicated by several signs. The trail makes it's way through an old growth forest of spruce and fir trees and ascends through a series of switchbacks to Lake Agnes. Half way up the trail, you will begin to see glimpses of the turquoise colors of Lake Louise.

You'll come upon Mirror Lake less than 1 km from the tea house. This offers a nice place to rest and a great view of the Big Beehive.

Mirror Lake and the Big Beehive

The final ascent to Lake Agnes and the Teahouse passes a series of beautiful waterfalls called Bridal Veil Falls.

Lake Agnes, Banff National Park

Lake Agnes Teahouse a wonderful place to have a bite to eat and to try a varied assortment of teas and beverages.

  
   

Looking towards the teahouse- Lake Agnes far end of the lake.

From the tea house you have several choices. 1)You can return the way you came 2)Hike to the Little Beehive or the Big Beehive. My favourite, the Big Beehive brings you along the shores of Lake Agnes to the far end of the lake. A series of tight switchbacks begins making your way up to the Big Beehive. The Big Beehive offers great views of Lake Louise and the Chateau as well as a expansive view of the entire valley.

Photo Description: View looking backwards while heading to the Big Beehive.

Photo Description: View of Lake Louise from the Big Beehive Viewpoint.



Instead of turning around from the Big Beehive and heading back the same way to the teahouse, you can follow the trail that leads to the Six Glaciers trail for a full day hike. The Six Glaciers trail will also bring you back to Chateau Lake Louise.