Hiked the Rockpile - the moraine left by the glacier at the end of the lake. By the time we were driving out at about 10am Parks Canada had closed the road - only allowing a car in when one came out! I'm so glad we got there "early". Yes this is the real colour of the lake!
We drove to Lake Louise hiked the Fairview Lookout walk (way above the lake), had coffee and were on our way out of the huge mass of people.
Ron's photo: The Canadian "Wilderness" Experience!! Not so much worried about being attacked by "Grizzly" bears, as being trampled by bus loads of pushy/grumpy Russian tourists ☺
The mountains here are incredible. So steep, rising right out of lakes, seemingly continuous with a never ending variety of geological forms.
We drove down the Bow Valley Parkway to Johnson Canyon and hiked up to the lower falls.
So many people and so many cars and buses. We semi- successfully fought off a bus load of Russians who tried to steal our position in line to enter a tiny cave and view the waterfall up-close-and-personal.
I took a quick look and fought my way back through the line to freedom. Ron, Paul and Sandra were more resilient and got some good photos.
I took a quick look and fought my way back through the line to freedom. Ron, Paul and Sandra were more resilient and got some good photos.
This is the view of the falls from the cave after all that. Photos don't capture the noise and power of the waterfall at all:
We drove a bit further up the Parkway and stopped at a beautiful, peaceful (3 cars) place with picnic tables for lunch.
After lunch we went to Lake Minniewanka which is a man-made powers generating dam. A few people were in boats using the lake.
We saw saw three Bighorn sheep near Lake Minniewanka! I know I say this every post but, this is a very rare sighting as they usually stay in the mountains up very high as protection against predictors. These looked to be licking some sort of mineral deposits in the side of the road. They do this to help supplement their diet to make their horns. We have been very lucky with animal sightings.
We drove to Johnson Lake (no where near Johnson Canyon) and discovered the local swimming hole. People were paddle-boarding, sun baking, swimming and fishing for the four different types of trout in the lake. It was a very large lake so it wasn't crowded. It was a lovely spot even if it isn't as spectacular as the glacial lakes.
We did some washing tonight - Note to self: Next time don't bring so many clothes - travel lighter!
Dinner at Boston Pizza where we had pasta, go figure. Stayed at the Rocky Mountain B&B
