Hiking Lake Louise

Text and Photography © Mike Potter

The 3.9 km up the Temple fire road at the start of this outing are not overly inspiring; however, once you get on the trail proper you are on your way to a classic subalpine valley.

After travelling two kilometres or so through coniferous trees (including subalpine larches), you reach open meadows. Here, amid rugged peaks, you are rewarded with a feeling of spaciousness. The Halfway Hut day-use shelter, spruced up with a new roof and new floor in October, 1989, can provide welcome respite in stormy weather.

If backpacking, you can use the nearby backcountry campground as a base for further day hikes--such as to Hidden Lake. To reach Boulder Pass, keep right at the km 7.4 junction and climb steadily past the large boulders that give the pass its name.

Boulder Pass overlooks Ptarmigan Lake, with views of the front ranges to the east and, to the west, Mt. Victoria, Mt. Temple, and several of the Ten Peaks above Moraine Lake.

Pikas may often be seen in the vicinity of Boulder Pass, scurrying about feeding and issuing their high-pitched calls. The abundant wildflowers growing in the surroundings meadows provide ample food for these industrious small mammals.