Open Collections

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WHAT  TO
'
DO  AT
LAKE LOUISE
IN TKE
CANADIAN
PACIFIC
ROCKIES
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Issued by the
CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY
1925
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Printed in Canada WHAT TO DO AT LAKE LOUISE
Lake Louise (altitude 5,670 feet), bearing the liquid music, the soft
color notes of its name, into the realm of the visible, is probably the most
perfect gem of scenery in the known world. Behind its turquoise mirror
rise the stark immensities of Mounts Lefroy and Victoria, the latter "the
big snow mountain above the Lake of Little Fishes," of which the wandering Stoney Indians used to tell.
"A lake of the deepest and most exquisite coloring," says one writer,
"ever changing, defying analysis, mirroring in its wonderful depths the
sombre forest and cliffs that rise from its shores on either side, the gleaming white glacier and tremendous snow-crowned peaks that fill the background of the picture, and the blue sky and fleecy clouds overhead."
Here, on the margin of this most perfect lake, the Canadian Pacific
has placed its Chateau Lake Louise in one of those wonderful Alpine
flower-gardens in which the Rockies abound. A splendid fire-proof
building will be opened on June 1 st this year to replace the former central
portion of the Chateau. Yellow poppies, violets and columbines, white
anemones and green orchids, make merry with the red-flowered sheep
laurel and the bright Iceland poppy. Be he ever so lazy, the tourist has
something to reward him in this gay garden, backed with the rich-toned
lake and the milky green of the glacier. (The Chateau is open from
June 1st to September 30".)
The Panorama  Encircling Lake Louise is an amphitheatre of peaks.
of La\z Louise   From left to right they are Saddle, Fairview, Lefroy,
Victoria, Collier, Popes, Whyte, the Devil's Thumb,
the Needles, the Big Beehive, Niblock, St. Piran and the Little
Beehive. At the far end of the lake, catching for the greater part of the
day the full glory of the sun, their snowfields standing out in dazzling
whiteness, are the glaciers that drop down from Mount Victoria and the
lofty, ice-crowned head of Mount Lefroy.
Along the westerly shores of Lake Louise a delightful mile-and-a-half
walk along a level trail affords splendid views of further peaks—Mounts
Haddo, Aberdeen and the Mitre.
La\es Some there are who are satisfied to sit on the hotel veran-
in the Clouds     dah watching the marvellous kaleidoscope of color.    But
others are eager to be out on the trail, either on foot or on
the back of a sure-footed mountain pony. These trails are being constantly
improved and extended, so that there is now a wide selection from which
to choose. One of the finest and most popular excursions is to the Lakes
in the Clouds, nestling a thousand feet and more higher up in the mountain
ranges.
The trail, leaving the west end of the Chateau, rises gradually through
spruce and fir forests to Mirror Lake (altitude 6,560 feet), thence upward
to Lake Agnes (altitude 6,875 feet). The trail is excellent. These lakes
are good examples of "cirque" lakes—deep, steep-walled recesses caused
by glacial erosion. The view from the edge of Lake Agnes—where a
charming little rest and tea-house has been established—is magnificent;
and one may often hear the shrill whistle of the marmot or even see a
mountain goat.
Mount St. Piran   From Mirror Lake a trail follows round the face of the
Big Beehive to Look-Out Point, and on to Victoria
Glacier. Or one may take a short cut down the lower Glacier Trail and
return to the Chateau along the lakeside. From Lake Agnes Rest-house
one may walk or ride along the lake up to the little observatory on the
Big Beehive, returning by a trail down the opposite side of this mountain
and joining the Upper Glacier Trail. From Lake Agnes one may walk
to the top of the Little Beehive, and the energetic will find an easy path
to the summit of Mount St. Piran.
Saddleback Another excellent walking or pony excursion is to Saddleback. Crossing the bridge over Lake Louise creek, the trail
rises rapidly on the slopes of Mount Fairview, between that mountain
and Saddleback. The view of Paradise Valley and Mount Temple from
this point is one of the finest in the Rockies. At the top is a tea and rest
house, over two thousand feet higher than Lake Louise.
WHAT TO DO AT LAKE LOUISE
What to do at Lake Louise—
Only this to do:
Feed  your  soul  on  sunbeams
Mirrored on the blue.
What to do at Lake Louise—
Lift your eyes, and view
All the beauty of the skies
Pouring down on you.
What to do at Lake Louise,
Shimmering between
Wooded slopes of mountains
In a cup of green?
What to do at Lake Louise,
Fringed by poppies gold?
Pray this vision's memory
You may ever hold.
Margaret Heyn Sanger,
Moraine La\e   This lovely mountain lake, in the valley of the Ten Peaks,
h 9 miles distant from the Chateau, and can be reached
by automobile (cars leave hotel twice daily). The tremendous semi-circle
of the Ten Peaks that encircles the eastern and southern sides of the
lake presents a jagged profile that makes a most majestic view. Not
one of these peaks is less than 10,000 feet in height—the highest. Mount
Deltaform, is 11,225 feet. Standing off a little as a sort of outpost is
the Tower of Babel, an interesting rock formation of unusual shape.
Moraine Lake is exquisitely tinted in color, its waters sometimes so
still that they reflect every twig above its surface. On the shore of the
lake is a charming bungalow camp that provides meals and where
sleeping accommodation for 10 is available. An extension trip should
be made to Consolation Lake, the waters of which contain a plentiful
supply of rainbow, Dolly Varden and cut-throat trout.
Paradise Valley  Between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise lies Paradise
Valley, about 6 miles long, carpeted with anemones,
asters and other Alpine flowers. Great peaks rise around it like citadel
walls. The valley can be reached from the Saddleback down a steep
zig-zag trail to the "Giant's Steps," a stair-like formation over which
Paradise Creek tumbles in a beautiful cascade. The journey may then
be continued across the valley to Lake Annette, a tiny emerald sheet of
water on the other side of Mount Temple. From the Giant's Steps a
trail leads across the valley to Sentinel Pass, whence descent can be made
through a lovely Alpine meadow known as Larch Valley to Moraine Lake.
This valley, half a mile long and about 2.000 feet above Moraine Lake, is
a perfect natural park, and was the site of the Alpine Club Camp of 1923.
Other Trips    There is a fine motor trip to Johnston Canyon and Banff,
and to Lake Windermere.             A delightful
pony ride can be made to the Great Divide and Wapta Camp.
Abbot Pass   From the Victoria Glacier there is a fine climb over Abbot
Pass, between Mounts Victoria and Lefroy, descending to
Lake O'Hara       This should not, however, be attempted by
the novice, nor unless accompanied by skilled guides. An Alpine hut
has been erected near the summit, at an altitude of over 9,500 feet, for the
convenience of climbers. Sunrise as seen from the Abbot Pass hut offers
the most glorious view in the Rockies. Between Lake Louise and Abbot
Pass is another rest house, at the Plain of the Six Glaciers.
Climbing   Lake Louise is one of the recognized mountain climbing
centres of the Rockies, and has many good climbs, both for
the novice and the experienced alpinist.    Some short and easy climbs
will be found in the Beehive, Mount St. Piran, Saddle Mountain and
J.X
•>fe»'*-
c^t&^gfc .
(Top, left to right) Saddleback Rest House—Lakes in the Clouds—Paradise Valley from thb Saddleback.
(Below) Lake Louise and the Chateau, from the air*—The Teahouse at Lake Agnes.t    (Inset) Fisjhing
Lake  Louise
♦Photograph by Department of National Defence.
-» T    , tPhotograph by E. M. Newman
in Moraine Lake. %
^
(Above) Moraine Lake and the gigantic semi-circle of the "Ten Peaks."
(Below, left to right) Beautiful Lake Louise— Lake Louise and Vicinity—Moraine Lake Camp.    (Intiet) On Victoria Glacier.
Lake  Louise Mount Fairview; more difficult ones will be found in Mounts Aberdeen,
Whyte, Victoria, Lefroy, Hungabee, Temple and Deltaform.
Motoring   There are two good automobile trips from Lake Louise—to
Banff, and from the Banff road to Lake Windermere, in the
Columbia Valley.    Both these excursions will be found described on
other pages.
Along the An excellent trail north of the Bow River from Lake Louise,
Pipestone along the valley of the Pipestone River, leads to an Alpine
lake discovered six years ago to be full of trout eager for the
fly. The camping ground is nineteen miles from Lake Louise station,
so that guides, ponies, and outfit are recommended for those who wish
to fish. The season opens on July 1 st. The lake is in an Alpine meadow
amid high glacial surroundings of spectacular grandeur and beauty. On
the return journey a magnificent view is afforded of the group of peaks
which form a chalice for Lake Louise itself.
Swiss Guides   are attached to the Chateau Lake Louise for those who
wish to visit the glaciers, climb mountains, o** make some
of the more strenuous trips through the passes. As they are greatly in
demand, it is advisable to make arrangements well in advance. Rates,
$7.00 per day.
Fishing in the Rockies
Many Fine       There are a great many spots in the Canadian Pacific
Trout Waters     Rockies offering splendid inducements for the angler.
Five varieties of game fish have their habitat in the
waters of the Rocky Mountains National Park, the cut-throat, lake,
Dolly Varden, bull and brook trout. Good fishing can be obtained in
the Bow River upstream and downstream, the Vermilion Lakes, Lake
Minnewanka, Mystic Lake, Saw-back Lakes, Spray River, the Spray
Lakes, and the Lower Kananaskis Lake.
Around Lake Louise good fishing can be obtained in the Pipestone
River, Consolation Lake, and the Upper Bow Lakes.
Between Lake Louise and the Pacific Coast there are numerous points
well worth the attention of the angler, among which Sicamous and
Kamloops deserve special mention. Shuswap Lake, on which Sicamous is
situated, contains steelhead and landlocked salmon.
\
AUTOMOBILE TARIFF AT LAKE LOUISE
(Rates are per person)
To Moraine Lake and Valley of the Ten Peaks—$2.50.
To Johnston Canyon and Banff—one way, $5.00; round trip, $8.25.
To Lake Windermere—one way, $10.00; round trip, (2 days), $18.00.
TRANSFER
Gasoline railway between station and Chateau—50c each way. Small handbags
(not exceeding two per person) free; trunks and heavy baggage—25c per piece, each way.
j
PONY TRIPS
To Lakes in the Clouds, Victoria Glacier and return.     $3.00
To Saddle Back and return  3.00
To The Great Divide, Wapta Camp, and return, 1 day  4.00
To Ptarmigan Lake and return, 1 day  4.00
To Paradise Valley and return, 1 day  4.00
To Moraine Lake, 1 day—$4.00; or including Wenkchemna Pass and Lake, 2 days,
$8.00.
Tke above rates {subject to alteration) are established by the Dominion Parks Branch,
Department of the Interior. Attempted overcharges should be reported to the Superintendent,
Rocky Mountains Park, Banff, Alta.