WHAT A TREAT!!
Apparently it used to be easy to drive your own car to
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake,
but with the huge crowds of tourists, you now should secure a reservation with a tour or at least a shuttle as parking usually fills at 9 AM and costs $36.00.
The beautiful blue-green color comes from the glacial 'rock flour'
of suspended rock particles.
This chateau started out as a log cabin in 1890.
Today, a room in this Chateau costs over (ca $2,222 ) per night.
Our tour guide told us that she was only allowed into the circle drive because one of her clients had rented a room there.
To get a bit of history on the area, read this from the
Historic Hotels website.
"In 1890, Canadian Pacific Railway general manager Cornelius Van Horne had a one-story log cabin constructed on the shore of Lake Louise. This small log cabin had one central area that was used as a dining room, office, bar, and gathering room, as well as a kitchen, and two small bedrooms. He called it “Chalet Lake Louise,” which hosted visitors from various stations along the railway line. While just 50 guests stayed in 1890, by 1912, that number had risen to 50,000. Despite two fires, his tiny cabin would become today’s Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. In August 1896, American lawyer Philip Abbot fell to his death while climbing Mount Lefroy. His was the first recorded death from mountaineering in North America. His unfortunate death influenced the Canadian Pacific Railway to hire two professional Swiss mountain guides for the safety of visitors wishing to reach the summit. These guides taught thousands of visitors and locals to mountain climb and ski over the next 55 years."
It was considered the "Hollywood of the North" with the filming of movies, horseback riding and skiing.
Today they rent canoes that are painted he iconic Canadian Red.
I did see a blue one, but the tour guide said it was a local who brought his own.
The Valley of Ten Peaks is truly spectacular.
MORAINE LAKE
I'm not sure I have ever seen any lake this gorgeous--
Incredible!
We enjoyed going up the Rockpile Trail, because of the fabulous view.
No, we didn't see any climbers on the Tower of Babel,
but it was so interesting to see a reference to it.
In recent years, due to the increase in tourism, it is only possible to enter the road to the Moraine Lake if you have a room reservation at that Lodge, or on a tour.
We were glad we were able to book a tour!
From what I could tell by surfing, the cost a room at Moraine Lake would probably be about $1,000-$1,500 (us) per night
then you could drive right up to the Lodge!.
(Now we are moving on to Calgary and the Stampede)
Stay tuned.
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