This is our third visit to Lake Louise, in Canada’s Banff National Park – what a treat (July 20) ! Trying to capture every second to this world class view, we treated ourselves twice to happy hour and dinner on the patio of the grand Fairmont Hotel overlooking Lake Louise. As we sat there, we tried to burn these memories and images into our brains.

One of our goals for this entire trip was to take the hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers. On the two previous trips we thoroughly enjoyed the 3.4 mile (one way) hike to the Tea House at the top. The elevation gain was 1215 feet to an elevation of 7,445 ft. Being four years older than our last hike, we were somewhat apprehensive as we undertook the hike this time. However, all went well…not bad for a 75 year old geezer and his lovely 68 year young bride! As in previous trips, we enjoyed the sound of snow avalanches coming off the mountains in the distance. This is definitely one of our top 10 hikes!

One last comment before leaving Lake Louise: As many of you know, the National Parks in the US are extremely crowded during the summer time. This is also true here in Canada. While we don’t know for certain, we suspect the Banff area is Canada’s most visited National Park.

Leaving Lake Louise, we head up the Ice Field Parkway towards the town of Jasper, 140 miles north. This parkway is one of Canada’s most scenic drives. Traveling through its high valley, one is presented with one glacier after another. Apparently we had not strained our muscles enough at Lake Louise because we stopped at Bow Lake for another 3 mile hike around the lake to the Bow Falls.

The Plain of Six Glaciers can be seen in the background.

Checkout the reflection here. We took this photograph just as we began our hike.

Time to shed clothing. P.S. This photograph is for Mary…a full frontal view!

A few of the Fairmont Hotel and distant ski area from about ½ way up the trail.

A view from the café terrace where we treated ourselves to several beer after our hike. Happy Hour doesn’t get any better than this!

Bow Lake (mostly hidden by trees) with Bow Falls in the distance. Note the glacier that feeds the lake.

For a “wannabe” Ansel Adams, a photographer looks for those scenes with enough contrast that make good black and white photographs. This photograph was taken looking back from the falls.

While it’s somewhat difficult to see, the upper part of the glacier has a “tinge” of pink. We have no idea what created the color.

Another view looking back from the mouth of the lake.

Bow Falls and its glacial source.