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| Louise Agnes Beehive Six Glaciers, AB | | -
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| | Louise Agnes Beehive Six Glaciers, AB | | | |
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Louise Agnes Beehive Six Glaciers, AB
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| Hiking | 10.70 Miles |
2,500 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.70 Miles | 7 Hrs 15 Mns | | 2.07 mph |
| 2,500 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 5 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This was the first day of our Banff/Jasper trip after we got to Golden the night before. It definitely is a popular hike, but we were thankful for the opportunity to witness and experience all the beauty around us.
We didn't have an early start, but managed to get there before the Lake Louise parking lot was full. Lake Louise of course was crowded, but as we started heading up toward Lake Agnes through the forest, the crowds thinned out a bit. It was neat to have a clear perspective of the Big Beehive from right below it at Mirror Lake. After a short stop at Mirror Lake, we quickly finished the rest of the climb to Lake Agnes. There were a lot of people at the Tea House right next to the lake. Agnes sits at the base of the cirque formed by Big Beehive, Mount Piran, Mount Niblock, and Mount Whyte and is picturesque. We continued on and took our break when we got to the other side of the lake where most of the crowds headed back down to Lake Louise because of some snow banks on the way up to the Big Beehive. Lots of fat marmots and pikas.
After a snow covered talus field, the switchbacks heading up to the Big Beehive were not bad at all, even though some sections were covered in snow. It was a bit crowed again on the top at the Big Beehive Lookout - most probably came up via Lakeshore Trail and Highline Trail on the other side. We passed the gazebo and got to the farthest edge and had our lunch while taking in the view of Lake Louise below.
After lunch, we took the Highline Trail and descended on the other side. The switchbacks went through a lush forest and the trail joined the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail after a while. From there the trail went up again to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, which we visited and had a long break and snack at. We were told that the waitresses there would backpack in and work their 4-5 day shift - definitely different than working in most restaurants  We then continued on for 3/4 of a mile to the Plain of Six Glaciers, where we took another break and soaked in the views of the glaciers.
We took the Plain of Six Glaciers trail back down onto the Lakeshore Trail to finish our loop. Even though it was a busy hike, it was a great introduction of the Banff/Lake Louise area. I didn't get to plan for this trip early enough so we did mostly popular day hikes in these areas. But I'd definitely love to go back and do some of the backpacks on my list. |
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