Lake Agnes and the Big Beehive

This is one of the most popular walks in the Lake Louise area with forest trails, hidden lakes, scenic view-points and a famous teahouse. It is also billed as formidably steep - especially the trail to Big Beehive.

Yes, it was raining on and off again today. Lake Louise is still beautiful, even shrouded in clouds.

On the upper third of the trail we shared the hike with horses.

The trail zig-zags through the trees for about 45 minutes before we reached the glassy surface of emerald-green Mirror Lake.

The final 15 minutes, or so,  the trail passes a waterfall and traverses a near-vertical set of wooden stairs before emerging at Lake Agnes and the teahouse. Named for the wife of the first Prime Minister, Sir John MacDonald, (who made the climb to the lake in 1890), the present building is a replica built in 1981 of the original built in 1901.

After pausing only briefly at the teahouse we continued along the right side of the lake en route to the Big Beehive. The trail is only 1 mile in length, but it ascends 442 feet. The first half of the trail is level with the lake, but we could glimpse the switchbacks on the other side of the lake.

At the end of the lake were some snow fields that we had to traverse.

But once at the top of Big Beehive the summit rewarded the effort. Here's Lake Louise and the Chateau, over 1,640 vertical feet below. 

These lovely people are Tony and Sue, from Perth, Australia. We met them at the gazebo built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to shelter hikers from driving rain, snow and hail storms. We only had light rain while we were at the top. 

Just as we were leaving, Tony was firing up his little stove to heat some water for a cup of tea - how civilized!

On the way down, the clouds cleared enough for us to get this picture of some of the surrounding peaks.

Another view of the far end of Lake Louise. 

These sweet little flowers were making the best of some rather inhospitable conditions. (Pen and quarter for scale.)

View of the right side of Lake Agnes on the way down Big Beehive. Notice the trail hugging the edge.

Beautiful Lake Agnes.

The rain started up again as we were descending the trail.

Frederick crossing the snow.

Back at the teahouse, a view of the lake. 

Big Beehive from the teahouse. While I was taking these pictures Tony and Sue came by debating whether to include climbing Little Beehive in their hike.

The exit point of Lake Agnes that creates...

this waterfall just below the teahouse on the way back down the mountain.

At the last switchback before the final descent to Lake Louise is this incredible photo opportunity.

By the time we got to Lake Louise the sun was out and the water showed this brilliant, turquoise color.

The lake was beautiful - the mountains were still shrouded in clouds.

Chateau Lake Louise and a monument to the Swiss guides the Canadian Pacific Railroad hired to run guided hikes at the turn of the last century.