Kootenay / Provincial National Park, Lake Louise

Thursday, 23.06.2022

We start in Radium Hot Springs towards Banff and cross Sinclair Pass. At the top of the pass is a very beautiful emerald green lake (Lake Olive). Unfortunately, access to the lake is closed. We briefly consider whether to disregard the prohibition, but decide against it. At the next parking lot, we find the notice, closed due to bears - lucky us.

In the valley, we meet an already familiar companion, the Kootenay River, which flows through the national park named after it.

The weather changes dramatically, the sun disappears, the temperature drops to 7 degrees, and a few snowflakes are in the air at Lake Louise.

The first stop is Numa Falls, a waterfall of the Vermilion River that we reach after a short walk. The waterfall gives us a little taste of what awaits us today.

Shortly after, the second stop, a slightly longer walk should take us to the Paint Pots. The first part of the path is good and easy to walk, but then it becomes increasingly difficult, muddy, and slushy, and we are wearing the wrong shoes. We probably only see a part of it because we have to stop. Even others with better footwear have to give up.

Only 2.7 km later, the highlight of the day, Marble Canyon. Here, the Tokumm Creek has carved a deep and very narrow gorge into the rocks shortly before its confluence with the Vermilion River. The trail, which we would have taken with the right shoes, runs along the gorge and provides direct insight into the depths of the canyon through a variety of bridges.

After that, we take a little detour to Lake Louise. We ignore the signs for full parking lots, drive to the lake, and also find a parking space. The lake is very touristy and completely crowded. At the front end of the lake is the elegant Fairmont Chateau Hotel. We take a hike to the end of the lake, which can only be walked on one side.

The last stage brings us to Banff and to our hotel for the next three days.