Alberta Canada was my very first international trip in 2018. I couldn’t have been any more excited and nervous exploring some place new. My hotel was located in Lake Louise AB, Canada a very small settlement but closest to the more well known resort town of Banff. All of which are right in the heart of Banff national park. The park is home to beautiful turquoise lakes, towering rocky Mountains, abundant wildlife, and evergreen forests.
The drive to the hotel was the most therapeutic 2 hour drive ever. The quietness and freedom of city-life distractions, and me being alone, was very peaceful. I was mesmerized by the endless rows of mountains surrounding me.
Once I arrived at Lake Louise Inn, after settling in and freshening up I set off to my first stop at Lake Louise. It’s less than a 10 minute drive but you could also walk one of the many trails. If I was with someone I wouldn’t have mind walking but going through long trails alone in bear country, just no 🙂
These pictures offer no justification of actually experiencing it in person but it’s pretty damn close. It’s so beautiful even with partial mountain views and dark cloudy skies. I think I spent most of my time being hypnotized by the lake, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.
I met another solo traveler and we took each other’s pictures. It was nice to have someone to talk to and we even met up for dinner later at Outpost Pub.
I decided I was going to try and visit as many lakes as I could over the next 3 days, there’s only, I don’t know, 600. I think I made it to less than 1 percent of that lol but at least that leaves plenty of lakes to see should I ever go back.
Moraine lake was a little further away from the hotel, the drive was maybe 15 minutes (10 miles).
I noticed people walking in different directions, there’s trails that lead to different vantage points.
I wanted to see the lake from a higher point of view and Rockpile Trail is the most common. It’s just shy of a mile long with wide steep stairs and piles of rocks at the top.
The valley of ten peaks and the vivid blue shades of moraine lake down below are so picturesque.
After spending some time gazing in every direction my next drive was to Peyto lake, about 36 min from Lake Louise Inn.
From the parking area there’s two trails both leading to the same lookout. Length wise it was not long at all, maybe half a mile but it was all incline. It was like using the stair master in the gym and I was dying! lol but I finally made it to the main viewing platform.
What do you see when you look at the lake? lol
Stopping only a couple times on the way back to the hotel, I sat and watched the sunset at bow lake and walked down to the edge of the water. It’s an easy place to get to and there’s no hiking involved because it sits right along the highway. Hector lake seemed pretty far away to drive to but I was able to see it from the road and snap a photo. This turned out to be one of my favorite pics.
I wasn’t able to get a mountain view room but here’s a picture from the walkway of the hotel. You can see the beautiful mountain’s in the backdrop and I loved the hanging flower pots as an extra touch.
My final full day was the most sunniest it’s been the entire trip and so I decided to go back to Moraine Lake and try canoeing.
I read some reviews online suggesting an early start to go canoeing because they are first come first serve. There was no line and tons of canoes available. I went end of June so I’m not sure why there weren’t tons of people but I canoed the entire lake doing 1 lap around. It was so pretty! Afterwards, I had a small bite to eat from the Snowshoe Cafe at Moraine Lodge.
The next morning was travel day. I had breakfast at Legends Restaurant within the hotel and then I was off to Calgary International. I was actually ready to get back to CT lol. 5am sunrises, 10pm sunsets and being there for 3 long days, I thought I did well with the time I had.
This is definitely a place I want to come back to in the future. It’s a great trip for couples, families, and friends.
Details
Moraine Lodge – canoeing
Fairmont Hotel –
Jasper – hour and a half drive from Peyto
Downtown Banff – 40 mins away
Mountain Restaurant –
Outpost Pub –
Snowshoe Cafe –
Travel/Flight Detail: I flew into Montreal which was less than 2 hours from CT
From there I boarded a 4 hour flight to Calgary
I picked up my rental car from enterprise and it was easy driving everywhere from that point on. I had my gps and bluetooth connected and it felt like I was driving at home
Lake Louise Inn – It’s cost friendly, helpful staff, clean quiet room. I was more nervous about the outdoor access to the room, I’m thinking omg I hope I don’t have to deal with bugs all over my room but I saw nothing! succeeded beyond expectations.
Alberta 2018
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