Canada Hols - Lake Louise

On Friday we decided to take the picturesque 1A Highway (on good advice from Brad), and drive up to Lake Louise. We took it nice and easy, just in case there was any wildlife on the road. Some of the walks we wanted to do were closed, we assumed due to moose calving in the area. Apart from some viewpoints, the first walk was at Johnston Canyon, to the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. Both were quite nice falls. Luckily we had arrived early, as on the way back the track started filling up with coachloads, and the carpark was pretty full. The next waterfall track, Silverton Falls, was nowhere near as popular, and the falls were very impressive. At Lake Louise we headed straight up to the lake, and were lucky to get a park, as all three huge carparks were almost full. There were people everywhere. After having lunch up on a little rise, we walked down to view the lake, which was very pretty, with the beautiful aqua colour, surrounded by snow-laced mountains, and all the glaciers hanging. At first we walked to the end of the lake, and then decided to go further to get a better view, and ended up at the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House. On the way were lots more wildflowers, including Dogberry (Bunchberry), Wild Roses, Jonquils, Wild Strawberries, Buttercups, Veiny Meadow Rue, and Yellow Lady Slipper Orchids. We also came across Voles, Red Squirrels, Chipmunks and Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, birds were American Dippers, and, I think, Waxwings. We were also entertained on the way by rock-climbers. Driving back to Banff we had quite a heavy shower of rain. The mountains were shrouded in mist, so I was pleased that Darryl insisted I took photos on Thursday.