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The Bow River at Lake Louise
Tall trees, pristine, glacier-fed waters, and magnificent snow-dusted mountains – you can’t beat the Canadian Rocky Mountains!
I’ve had a love of the Canadian Rocky Mountains for as long as I can remember.
In my earliest years in Canada, we lived on the West Coast, where the mountains and Pacific Ocean meet. Then we moved inland, to the foothills of Calgary, where the Prairies stretch out flat in the east forever … But in the west, on clear days, the Rockies can just be seen.
Every summer, we drove through those magnificent mountains to visit family back on the coast.
I hated the actual trips: my brother and I spent long days wedged into the back seat of an old car that struggled up all the mountain inclines. I suffered dreadfully from car sickness. We overnighted in free, National Parks, campsites. My afternoon task was to hunt for firewood that was invariably covered in spiders, and dinner was usually instant soups or baked beans cooked on a smelly Coleman stove. There were never barbequed steaks or guitar sing-songs near our leaky and too-small tent! Our campsites included dug-in outhouses: none of the amenity blocks, swimming pools, or children’s playgrounds that commercial sites offered.
But, in spite of all that, I loved those mountains. And, I’ve taken great joy from driving through them more recently in cars that hum like a dream, and overnighting in rooms with electric kettles and running water.
Late May of this year, I was thrilled to be making a road trip into those wonderful mountains, and was particularly pleased with my non-tented accommodation in the charming hamlet of Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It wasn’t exactly the magnificent Fairmont Château Lake Louise, but that gracious old Canadian Pacific hotel was close enough that I hiked out to it to have a rather envious look (see: Walking the Louise Creek Trail).
For my second full day in town, I opted for a shorter, less strenuous walk along the Bow River.
As helpful as I usually find AllTrails, the app failed to warn me that half the track is closed off for five months every year to allow the free passage of bears; this meant that my walk was out-and-back, rather than a circuit. Even so, I enjoyed a relaxing walk along the river – especially as it was all virtually flat.
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Squeaking Columbian Ground Squirrel – Spermophilus Columbianus
I love these little guys! I was hoping this one was leading me to a shortcut through the woods, but I hit the creek, and had to back-track and follow the road into the village in order to find the start of my track.
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Bow River Rail Crossing
The river is fast and shallow here; it picks up water as it heads east to meet the South Saskatchewan River.
Treetops and Mountaintops
The boreal forest here is home to a number of tree species, with the Douglas fir being the tallest, reaching heights of up to 45 metres (150 feet).
A Fork in the Trail
Once I cross the main road, I see the sign I photographed the day before; from here, my track diverges from the Louise Creek Trail and I follow the river south.
Bow River
Tall conifers frame the river …
Chalet in the Woods
… and shelter the houses and lodges set back just far enough to have magnificent views.
Bridge over the Bow River
There are a couple of bridges along here: this one leads to the Lake Louise Campground.
Island in the Bow
Banff National Park is known for its “golden season” when the deciduous trees, like these nestled in with the conifers, put on their colourful autumn display.
Nature’s Abstracts : Tree Trunk
Tall Trees
The path is soft underfoot …
Rocky Riverbed
… and the river is never far away.
Into the Woods
Split Stream
The river is still small enough that it is easily diverted around every small patch of higher ground.
Nature’s Artworks : Colourful New Growth
The signs of spring are all around.
American Robin – Turdus Migratorius
I kept a look out for bears. The best I could capture was a common robin – and the odd crow.
“Along the Bow River”
I had hoped – at the very least – to see some of the birds mentioned on the signboards along the path! They are mostly quite common, but this trip I saw none of them!
Seasonal Closure
Not all the signs I saw were good news: when I got to the point at which I was meant to cross the river and return via the other bank, I discovered that this wasn’t going to happen. “Providing bears and other large mammals the ability to move through the valley bottom unimpeded is crucial to their survival.” Fair enough! But I would have liked to have known sooner.
Along the River
So, I returned by way of the same track I had set out on.
Nature’s Palette : Colourful Rocks
American Red Squirrel – Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus
After a dearth of bears or other large mammals, I was ridiculously excited to spot a squirrel!
American Red Squirrel – Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus
I stood still, making sounds I thought might be engaging …
American Red Squirrel – Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus
.. so that I might get a portrait.
Boulders in the River
I love the colours and textures everywhere!
Lake Louise Visitor Centre
Before I knew it, I was back at the National Parks’ office.
View from the Timber Wolf
No baked beans in a leaky tent for me! I got to enjoy views of those magnificent mountains with my dinner of pasta and wine.
All in all, a perfect day, really.
Until next time,
Happy Walking!
Photos: 28May2023
