Lake Agnes, Big Beehive and Plain of Six Glaciers
near Lake Louise, Alberta (Canada)
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The Agnes Lake and the Six Glacier Plains, both of which are located in Lake Louise, are among the most popular in the area. It is very difficult to park at the car park of Lake Louise except to arrive very early. Do not arrive much later than 8:30.
Since we could not decide which of the two hikes to do, we did both, which is very good and much easier than I expected.
I recommend doing them in the opposite order of ours starting with the Six Glaciers if the start is early. The climb is done without any shade and when the sun beats, it is painful whereas for Lake Agnes one climbs in the forest.
We left very early at 7.45 am at that time, the car park was empty and we hardly saw anyone during the first two hours of the climb to Big Beehive. But the inconvenience of this early departure, there was a terrible mist that did not allow us to see correctly Lake Louise Big Beehive.
The climb to Lake Agnes is entirely in the forest. It takes 1 hour (3.3 km and 247 m vertical drop) to reach Mirror Lake, a beautiful mirror lake as the name suggests.
Less than half an hour later, you arrive at the Lake Agnes Tea House (4.1 km and 338 m elevation difference) which is next to the lake.
To go up to Big Beehive, one first bypasses Lake Agnes before undertaking a rather steep climb with laces. It takes about three quarters of hours from the Tea House. Big Beehive is 5.8 km and 501 m elevation difference from departure.
The view of Lake Louise is spectacular, but for us, there was mostly a view of the mist. It was not what we hoped for but it was very beautiful too. The advantage of leaving early is that we have enjoyed this view alone for a long time.
After waiting a good half hour for the lake to reveal a little, we went down again, still in the forest. The descent seemed endless, especially since we had the bad idea to let a group on horseback. The horses have walked at the speed of a turtle and the trail being very narrow, we have to train behind them on practically all the descent.
Arriving at the junction to continue towards the plain of Six Glaciers, we walked 9.4 km.
The ascent to the Tea House of the Six Glaciers took place in full sun in a mineral landscape corresponding to the moraine left by the glacier which keeps decreasing.
The picnic next to the Tea House was well appreciated (10.8 km from the start and 640 m vertical drop).
After regaining strength we made the final climb that takes half an hour.
Back at the tea house, we tested their chocolate cake and lemonade that I absolutely recommend. The place is charming and you have the impression of taking a trip back in time. Then you go down to Lake Louise which you could see very well in the distance.
Conclusion: Beautiful hike. If we had to choose one, we would have chosen Lake Agnès and Big Beehive. That of Six Glaciers does not offer an exceptional view on the glaciers.
More details in "view more", just below.
Since we could not decide which of the two hikes to do, we did both, which is very good and much easier than I expected.
I recommend doing them in the opposite order of ours starting with the Six Glaciers if the start is early. The climb is done without any shade and when the sun beats, it is painful whereas for Lake Agnes one climbs in the forest.
We left very early at 7.45 am at that time, the car park was empty and we hardly saw anyone during the first two hours of the climb to Big Beehive. But the inconvenience of this early departure, there was a terrible mist that did not allow us to see correctly Lake Louise Big Beehive.
The climb to Lake Agnes is entirely in the forest. It takes 1 hour (3.3 km and 247 m vertical drop) to reach Mirror Lake, a beautiful mirror lake as the name suggests.
Less than half an hour later, you arrive at the Lake Agnes Tea House (4.1 km and 338 m elevation difference) which is next to the lake.
To go up to Big Beehive, one first bypasses Lake Agnes before undertaking a rather steep climb with laces. It takes about three quarters of hours from the Tea House. Big Beehive is 5.8 km and 501 m elevation difference from departure.
The view of Lake Louise is spectacular, but for us, there was mostly a view of the mist. It was not what we hoped for but it was very beautiful too. The advantage of leaving early is that we have enjoyed this view alone for a long time.
After waiting a good half hour for the lake to reveal a little, we went down again, still in the forest. The descent seemed endless, especially since we had the bad idea to let a group on horseback. The horses have walked at the speed of a turtle and the trail being very narrow, we have to train behind them on practically all the descent.
Arriving at the junction to continue towards the plain of Six Glaciers, we walked 9.4 km.
The ascent to the Tea House of the Six Glaciers took place in full sun in a mineral landscape corresponding to the moraine left by the glacier which keeps decreasing.
The picnic next to the Tea House was well appreciated (10.8 km from the start and 640 m vertical drop).
After regaining strength we made the final climb that takes half an hour.
Back at the tea house, we tested their chocolate cake and lemonade that I absolutely recommend. The place is charming and you have the impression of taking a trip back in time. Then you go down to Lake Louise which you could see very well in the distance.
Conclusion: Beautiful hike. If we had to choose one, we would have chosen Lake Agnès and Big Beehive. That of Six Glaciers does not offer an exceptional view on the glaciers.
More details in "view more", just below.
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