Banff National Park

Aug. 19-23, 2004

After Jasper, we went south on the Icefields Parkway to Banff National Park. This is Peyto Lake, which is fed by meltwater from the Peyto Glacier, which is visible on the far left edge of the photo. The striking color of Peyto Lake is due to glacial flour, which reflects predominantly blue-green light. The glacial flour in the lake increases during the summer, causing the color to become more intense.
 

We arrived at the Lake Louise campground and found that the tent area is surrounded by a 7,000 volt electric fence to keep bears out.  Not wanting to feel like we were camping in a protected campground, and hoping to see some bears, we opted for staying in the RV area, which was restricted to hard-sided vehicles (as ours is).

When we checked into the campground, we were told by the attendant that, because of the Parks Canada strike, camping fees were not being collected. The campground was operating with a reduced staff; bathrooms and showers were being cleaned, but other services were curtailed. We really didn't need anything else, so that was just fine with us. I like that kind of strike! 

Since the price was right, we stayed three nights.
 

Lake Louise is a very beautiful setting. This picture is taken from the grounds of the Chateau Lake Louise. Victoria Glacier is across the lake.
 

Chateau Lake Louise is an elegant historic hotel in a fantastic setting. It is also rather pricey; a room costs upwards of $500 per night, and I suspect it is a lot more if you want a lakeside room with a view of the glacier. We opted to stay in the free campground.
 

We got our inflatable kayak out and toured the lake. Launching the kayak was an experience since the best place to put in the water was right in front of the hotel terrace, so we had a large audience watching us carry the kayak there and get into it. I can imagine that we are in several vacation photos.
 

Hoping to spot pikas or marmots, we drifted quietly by some talus slopes that come down to the water. We heard several pikas, but only saw one - this little guy. Pikas look like mice, but with rather large ears, and live amongst the rocks. They spend all summer gathering little piles of hay to feed on during the winter. (No, your eyes aren't going bad - the picture is slightly out of focus (probably due to the kayak bobbing in the waves), but it is the only pika picture I have this summer.)
 

It was Nancy's big SIX-O birthday, so we celebrated with dinner in the Chateau. The view was lousy - it was raining, but the food was excellent.
 

After Lake Louise we headed down to the town of Banff. The town was rather crowded with people, so we limited our stay to one night for essentials such as grocery shopping, laundry, internet access, etc. Next we head back into British Columbia to see Kootenay National Park and then head south to the U.S.