Taylor Lake is set in a classic hanging valley high on the western slope of the Bow Valley, a 25 minute drive from Banff.
Frederick, in rain gear (I was in rain gear, too) passing through the fence that is erected along the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park to protect the animals. We are parked in the Taylor Lake trailhead parking lot alongside the Trans-Canada Highway.
At 1.0 km we crossed the wooden bridge over Taylor Creek. The trail is not typically as well trodden as many trails around Lake Louise, in fact, we only passed two groups of two hikers each coming back from the lake and that was within the first kilometer. The rest of the time we were the only ones on the trail until we were almost back at the car and two young women were heading up to spend the night at the campground at the lake. It is very special to be able to hike in solitude as we did today.
At 5.7 km we crossed the 2nd bridge over Taylor Creek and enjoyed this lovely cascade while the sun was still shining.
All of a sudden the trail emerged into a meadow below the lake's outlet. The meadow was moist - kind of like walking on a carpet of wet sponges. This pano-picture of the meadow shows Mount Bell on the left and Taylor Lake is at the base.
In the summer the meadow is blanketed in wildflowers and we found some of the early arrivals. These tiny purple flowers are at the edge of a meadow pool.
Another water loving beauty.
We picked our way across the meadow and arrived at Taylor Lake along with an approaching thunderstorm. Right in the middle of the picture, at the northern end of the lake is a waterfall.
This is a close-up of the falls; we did not hike over to see it.
Near the small tent campground there were tables close to the lake - a great place to have lunch.
Pano of our lunch view. I'm sorry I cut off the top of Mount Bell.
As we were eating our lunch, we could gaze across the lake at this beautiful stand of dense, subalpine pine and spruce and the lighter-colored larch trees.
At one point we looked to our left and there was a bald eagle perched on a tree. If you click on the picture to make it larger you can get a clearer view - it's near the middle of the picture.
Eating lunch by Taylor Lake - and there's all of Mount Bell.
I was charmed by the the rustic picnic tables at the lake. This is one of three - looks like it could be in a Hobbit movie.
Final Taylor Lake meadow wildflower.
Today's hike:
Length - 8.48 miles
Duration - 4 hours, 20 minutes (including lunch)
Elevation gain - 1,950 feet (200 floors in the Fitbit)
More spectacular photos or nature - and Frederick! Glad you were prepared for rain, but met with sunshine instead. The falls, Mount Bell and Taylor Lake look spectacular. Judy S.
ReplyDelete