July 9--Crowfoot Glacier, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

We headed back to the Icefields Parkway to see some lakes and the Crowfoot Glacier. The glacier at one time had 3 claws, with the third claw pointing toward Bow Lake. It has now receded.

Yes, we and a mass of others went to Lake Louise. Although we were surrounded by so many people, the crowds didn’t diminish the beauty of the lake. Of course, the hamlet of Lake Louise is built around the lake and the famous Swiss chalet. It was clear that Fairmont hotel chain has remodeled the old chalet, but I did try to get some pictures of original structure. The peak that is the back drop for Lake Louise is Mt. Victoria and the Victoria Glacier. Victoria was the queen and Louise was her daughter. Those clever Brit names for mountains. One peak was called Mt. Howard Something. Oh well.

We left Lake Louise for a trip up the mountain to Moraine Lake, which of the two lakes is my favorite. It is isolated and there were fewer people. Like Lake Louise, it is surrounded by towering, craggy mountain peaks covered with glaciers. You’ll just have to take my work for it--the lakes are a deep turquoise blue.

We decided we would like to return one night and have dinner at the Moraine Lake restaurant until we saw the menu! The entrees started at $30, so we decided we would rather ride the tram to the top of one of the mountains. Prices are very high here. Forrest says, “They sure are proud of their ice” every single time he pays $3.00 for a small bag, and then he just carries on for several minutes. Interestingly enough, he doesn’t complain about the price of a six pack of beer!

We finally saw wildlife on our return trip along the Bow Valley Parkway & a ground squirrel at Lake Louise (you gotta take your wildlife where find them, especially if you are desperate!) Have you noticed spotting wildlife is a pretty bid deal with us?

bull elk, big horn sheep (ewes & lamb), and Chip or maybe Dale--not sure.