Both Lake Louise and Emerald Lake are situated in Banff
National Park not too far off Route 1 of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Easily accessible by car and both on route to either the West
(Vancouver) or East (Calgary), there’s no excuse not to pay a visit
to these special lakes.
I first visited Lake Louise coming South from Jasper but
if your heading West from Banff it's only a 40 minute drive. The turn
off for Lake Louise is well signposted and it's only a short drive
from Route 1 to the lake itself. Expect the car park to be full!! My
advice would be to pull up alongside the road just before you reach
the lake, it'll only be a short walk and saves you crawling round the
car park for ages.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel over looking the
lake is under the same company that own the Banff Springs Hotel.
Although I never stayed at Lake Louise I assume it'd mirror Banff
Springs with the finest luxury but also very expensive. With it being
only a 40 minute drive from Banff is it worth paying the price when
there's affordable quality accommodation in Banff?! The lake itself
is surrounded by fir tree covered mountains with a snow capped peak
towering over the hotel at the end. As spectacular as the lake
surroundings are, the lake itself is something to marvel with it's
unique sky blue colour.
Standing at the front of the lake looking out into it's
overwhelming beauty, I have to admit it is one of the most scenic
sights I have ever laid eyes on. I remember sitting on a rock on the
edge of the lake in silence staring out in awe for what seemed a
lifetime. Whether you stay over night, just a day or even an hour..
you have to go. Raw wilderness beauty at it's best.
Another 45 minutes West just over the border into
British Columbia you'll find yourself passing the turn off for
Emerald Lake. Again it's only a short drive to the lake as you drive
down the road parallel to the train tracks winding in and out of the
mountain range. Parking is a lot better here and it's virtually next
to the lake but beware of the tourists appearing in coach loads.. I'm
not kidding you when I say there's hundreds of them. There's several
facilities at Emerald Lake Lodge including log cabins where you can
hold weddings which my friend has attended in the past. Once you see
the lake try to move along the Emerald Lake walking trail so you can
escape the crowded hotspots and constant flashing photography to
really appreciate the views.
If you hadn't guessed where the lake got it's name from
it's fairly obvious.. if you can catch the lake in a decent spot with
the right amount of light you'll see the emerald glow the lake emits.
It really is something special and comes to no surprise so many
people go there to tie the knot.
You can chose to stay at Emerald Lake or continue West
for an hour to the town of Golden. The towns history is wholly based
on the railway and logging industry but this doesn't mask the fact
the town is one of British Columbia's finest. Golden is nestled in
between 3 mountain ranges and 5 national parks which is why adventure
tourism is such a heavy influence on the small town.
The Kicking Horse River winds through the town and shows
off the longest free-standing timber frame bridge in Canada. Due to
the size of the town there is no issue with venturing into the centre
to find accommodation. I find tourist information centres in North
America very helpful and give you exactly what you want. Due to the
tourism influx you'll have plenty of accommodation ranging from a
variety of prices to suit you and there's no end of bars and
restaurants dotted around.
Watch the sunset over the mountains and endless forests
a the Rockwater Grill and Bar before having a few drinks in the
Timber Inn. If your with your partner you can relax on the river
banks and watch the world go by or if your with mates making the most
of the adrenaline sports on offer, you'll find plenty of lively bars and house
parties which you can enjoy late into the night.
My friends brother used to live in Golden when he
emigrated to Canada years ago and I really do envy him for the views
he woke up to every morning! Although your in a built up town you
can't feel any closer to nature.
Next
Week: Revelstoke, Kelowna and Summerland.
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