A Tale of Two Tea Houses

In early July I did some hiking in the Lake Louise area. I started at the Chateau Lake Louise and hiked up to Mirror Lake, then Lake Agnes, and its European-styled tea house. There were too many people so I didn’t stop and hiked around Lake Agnes to the switchbacks that lead to the top of the Big Beehive. Here you’re rewarded with a stunning panorama of Lake Louise. From there I descended on the Highline trail which had lots of big rocks, roots, and stumps. I was glad I had my hiking poles. Eventually you join the Plain of Six Glaciers trail which leads to another tea house. I pressed on to the Plain of Six Glaciers viewpoint and ate my lunch underneath the hanging glacier of Mount Victoria. What a great day. Click on any photo in the gallery to see a larger version.

Lake Louise and Fairview Mountain ( 2744 m ) seen from the top of the Big Beehive. To the right is Haddo Peak ( 3070 m ) and Mount Aberdeen ( 3152 m ). As glaciers shrink the brilliant blues of mountain lakes is changing.

Mount Aberdeen and Mount Lefroy. In between the two mountains is the Lefroy glacier.

Hiking up the switchbacks to the Big Beehive. Looking down on Lake Agnes and some beautiful Larch trees.

The Mitre ( 2850 m ) and Lefroy glacier. The mountain was named in 1893 by Samuel E.S. Allen because it resembles a Bishop's mitre, which is a tall headdress.