In the mountains, west of Banff National Park, the mighty Mt. Temple (11,627 feet) towers over the tiny town of Lake Louise. Situated at 5400 feet, this is Canada’s most elevated community. The lake is named after Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll. Settled in 1884, the area served as an outpost for The Canadian Pacific Railway.
Now, an immense Chateau sits on the Eastern flank of the lake. Originally built in 1890, the hotel allured deep pocketed travellers to travel by train to take in the scenic landscape of the West.
As many times as I’ve hiked and climbed here, I have never paddled the lake. It takes commitment to shuttle our kayak and paddle board along the trails to the water, but it is well worth the sweat equity. It is a beautiful experience to be here at a time when the lake is so quiet. The color of the water is unexplainable other than otherworldly blue. It might conjure scenes of the Caribbean, except that at 39 degrees Fahrenheit, the glacier waters are bone-chillingly frigid.
The psychedelic turquoise comes from fine dust created by the movement of the glacier to bedrock. The sediment is suspended in the water and refracts blue and green wavelengths of light. Some scientists say that as glaciers melt, the color may change in years to come.
Sentinel Pass
Sentinel Pass is on our agenda. We awaken at the crack of dawn wanting to hike up to where massive spires stand guard over verdant valleys. A cup of warm, creamy coffee soothes the belly and primes us for the day. We pack up the camper and drive away from the village of Lake Louise. At 7:30 a.m., we are disappointed to see a man waving a sign stating that the parking lot is full.
I shout at him from the window. “We want to hike Sentinel. Is there room?” He waves us in and yells that we can take a normal spot. It pays to ask questions or pray. We toss our plan B and drive to the trailhead near Moraine Lake which is another turquoise jewel. This is the start and finish point for hiking to Sentinel Pass.
We scour the camper for our lunch and snacks, putting careful attention into what we may need for mountain travel. Based upon challenging experiences, I make it a point to prepare for all seasons even if the day begins at 80 degrees. This means that in addition to sunscreen and a brimmed hat, I also pack an extra set of leggings, a rain shell, and a down coat or vest. One just never knows when hail shall rain down or mountain winds come out of nowhere … or “now here,” as we say in the world of yoga and wilderness travel.
As we travel along the path, there is a bit of exposure on the left side where a misstep could send a person sliding down a massive scree slope. Eyes on the trail and calculated steps keep us safe and moving forward. As the top of the saddle becomes closer, I shift gears into my second breath. The views are worth the agonized legs. Rock, spires, and giant chimneys greet us at the top.
Out in the distance is a climber ascending a chimney that is standing alone. His white helmet and red shirt are stark against the smoky haze.
Lunch on a ledge is a sheer delight. We stay for a while and take in the beauty of this precious life before retracing our steps back to Moraine Lake.
To climb mountains is to suffer. There is nothing easy about getting to the top, but isn’t character about putting boots to the ground and start walking, knowing that it will bring a certain amount of discomfort?
And a renewed sense of living.
Tami Ellis is a writer and photographer that has been blessed with a life living in the hills of Montana with her husband and on her family ranch nestled between the cut banks of the South Saskatchewan River in Alberta, Canada. Inspired by the world, she has been to 47 countries. She can be reached at twofeetoneworld@gmail.com
How to Get There
From Calgary, drive approximately 180 km or 2 hours west on the Trans Canada Highway to the village of Lake Louise. Be sure to stop in Canmore and Banff along the way. You will enter the Banff National Park by way of the Entrance Gates. Payment of a Park Pass is mandatory. https://banff.com/banff-park-fees/
For more information, see BanffLakeLouise.com and https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/les10-top10/louise
This article is adapted from my earlier publication in The Epoch Times. https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/a-journey-to-banff-national-park-3982475
Two Feet One World Travel 