June 1 – Today we traveled from our campsite near Radium Hot Springs to Lake Louise. The entire 136 km was in Canadian National Parks. We started in Kootnay National Park which adjoins Baniff National Park where Lake Louise sits. Along the route Marsha and Lynette spotted a grizzly with two cubs. They scampered into the woods before Frits or I could see them.
I was looking forward to seeing Lake Louise. The last time I was there I had biked up the 2 km steep hill to the Chateau Lake Louise. It’s o ne of the most iconic spots in all of Canada. Being June 1st we did not expect to see many people but we were so wrong. The parking lot was mostly full and the walking area by the lake in front of the Chateau was crowded. The four of us took the hike (really a long walk) to the far end of the lake where we could look back to the Chateau.
After our hike we enjoyed a late lunch in the Chateau Lake Louise. This satisfied one of my lifelong bucket list items. In the next 1970’s while visiting Banff I decided one day I wanted to enjoy a beer at the Banff Springs Hotel, another iconic hotel built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad at the end of the 1800’s. Well our lunch was in the Chateau Lake Louise but there was no view to the outside. Here we were in one of the most amazing locations in the world and there was no view to the outside. I determined having a beer at the Banff Springs Hotel would be a similar experience. Thus I no longer need to enjoy a beer at the hotel.
On our return to our campground all four of us got a good view of a grizzly mom with two cubs! No photo though, but we saw them. Near the campsite yesterday we saw plenty of big horn sheep. Today I did not see them, but did great a view of a gray fox. Tomorrow we are off to Calgary.
Seeing North America 