Days 3&4: Lake Louise & Banff

Lake Louise
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Day 3 - Awake to discover the damage from yesterdays mossie pests - the bite on my jaw line particularly unattractive after a run in with my razor.  After sourcing a cup of tea (soon to be a new hobby / obsession I fear) its another early start - today off on a day trip to Lake Louise, about 60km up Hwy 1.  Despite the morning gloom its quickly apparent that Banff was just the warm up for the incredible landscape up here.

Having arrived ahead of the day's crowds, apparently the wider park gets 50,000 visitors a day, we set off around the lakeside trail and then onto the slightly more ardous (and adventureous) trek up the mountainside to Six Glaciers Plain and yet more spectacular vistas (yes I can think of another word for views).

Postcard beautiful - everywhere

View from the trail
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By the time we reach our destination we've both realised that we're not as fit as we wish and are more than appreciative of the few staff who live up here for a week at a time to run the teahouse which provides us with some much needed food and watering.  Here we debate two things (1) the nature of our trek thus far - Jane says sheer cliff-face, I'd say some moderate walking ascents - either way the elevation is 5500ft above sea level, up 1300ft on our start point; and (2) which way to trek back.

Lake Louise - the postcard shot
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Having stopped for some photos (and a particularly pleasant visit to the toilet perched over an open septic tank - nice!) we set off on a route to take us along the higher return path through the forrest via Mirror Lake.

All in we trekked about 15km across avrious terrains and found it pretty tiring by the end - slightly concerning as I suspect the terrain is mre up and down for Machu Picchu at twice the altitude in a few weeks time.

After a quick stop at Morraine Lake (another beautiful spot but I've already ran out of adjectives) we headed back to Banff for some fish and chips and local beer - turns out the lager is about as good as their Merlot!  On the bright side did catch Britain winning Gold and Bronze in the swimming on the telly in the bar.  Off to bed tired but very happy.

Morraine Lake
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Day 4 (Banff) saw us up early again - still struggling to get into a normal sleeping routine.   Hired some bikes and went for a couple of hour cycle ride through some marshes and out to a canyon before a lazy afternoon pottering around shops and finding out how to publish a travel blog.  Unfortunately this morning when we cycled wasn't as dry as the afternoon has been!

Really looking forward to tomorrow's Rocky Mountaineer departure.