Driving south from Jasper, I passed the Icefields Center, but rain and fog hid all of the sights. It was raining and 40 degrees when I passed the trailhead for my cancelled 5 day backpack. I continued south into Banff National Park to find a car campground that had a covered shelter - turns out they all had them. I camped for three nights at the Waterfowl Lakes Campground.
My camp was a few hundred yards from the shore of Waterfowl Lake
Peaks near Saskatchewan Crossing
After setting up camp, the rain became intermittent and I looked for a short hike - I chose Helen Lake, but that trail was closed due to bear activity. Nearby was the trail to Bow River Falls.
Bow Lake and Crowfoot Mountain
Bow River Falls in the distance below Bow Glacier
Bow River Falls
View along the road
It cleared that night and in the morning there was some fog. I chose to hike the steep route (1000 meters up in 5 kilometers) up Fairview Peak, which is right next to the famous Lake Louise. The trail goes up the Saddleback trail to the Saddle, then heads steeply up the peak.
Part way up I was above the fog on the Saddleback Trail
Approaching the saddle and (I think) Haddo Peak
View from the summit of Fairview Peak at 7600', including Mts Lefroy and Victoria
Looking down at Lake Louise from Fairview Peak. My camera froze and died after taking this picture. It would be the phone camera for the rest of the trip.
This is Fairview Peak from the bottom at the edge of Lake Louise a couple of days later
Lake Louise and the famous Chateau
Howse River viewpoint on the hike to Glacier Lake
The last place I visited was Moraine Lake in the Valley of Ten Peaks
Go To Canadian-Rockies.html