Lake Louise - Mt. St. Piran hike
A long steady climb along switchback trails - it can
be done in sneakers. Great views of (from left to right in the picture
below) Bow Valley, Lake Louise (white), Mirror Lake (green), and Lake Agnes
(blue). There were
some well-camouflaged Ptarmigan birds and well-fed Chipmunks at the top.
The teahouse on Lake Agnes is a good place to stop on the way down for
tea and cake.
Moraine Lake
The peaks surrounding Moraine lake used to feature on
the older Canadian banknotes. There is an easy walk along the lake shore and it's
possible to hire canoes. There were restrictions on other walking trails
in the area due to bear activity.
Moraine Lake
Consolation Lake Hike
The Consolation Lake trail was restricted to groups of 6 hikers or more - the reasoning - bears have not been known at attack a group of 6 or more people. There was bear scratching beside the path close to the trailhead.
Accommodation
Banff town is very popular in summer to say the least - which means endless souvenir shops, pricey accommodation and too many cars competing for limited parking. It's pleasant enough and convenient being located right in the park. However I preferred Canmore 20km south down the trans-Canada highway just outside the park entrance. Canmore is more of a service town for Banff area - seems quite a few people working in Banff live in Canmore for it's cheaper rent.
Canmore is pretty laid-back and quiet and has a great setting nestled in under the Three Sisters peaks. Several motor inns and gas stations are located on Bow Valley Trail, the main service road that runs off the trans-Canada highway. Then there is Main Street with a pub, good restaurant (Crazyweed Kitchen), and several other useful shops. There is a popular breakfast place on the Bow Valley Trail 100m to the south and across the road from the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge located in the small mini-mall.
