2023 Banff National Park: Plain of the Six Glaciers

 We got out of bed, packed and got out the door by 8:00am. Despite that early hour, the parking lots was already becoming full. I paid for parking, and we walked down to the Fairmont Hotel to buy an exorbitantly priced breakfast and coffee prior to starting the hike. The morning was cool and cloudy, and it drizzled a bit while we were eating breakfast. A group of travelers from Hawaii started talking to us and said that the Fairmont was so expensive that even Hawaiians considered it expensive and that they would never stay there if their train + lodging package didn't include it. They said that the Cheese Fondue dinner was good though!

The drizzle was over by the time we started walking. I had mentioned to Bowen about the two teahouses on this hike today, and promised him that we could eat Cheese Fondue if we made both teahouses. It's been many years since I did this hike and I remembered it wasn't hard, even while carrying a heavy equipment load. In fact, the lakeshore portion of this walk is considered one of the most scenic easy walks you can do. With the relatively calm wind and no rain, the lake was reflective and pretty. We made a leisurely pace --- the parking fee was $21 and we had all day --- in fact, the teahouse wouldn't even open until 9:00am so there's no incentive to travel fast. I also had an inkling that the weather would turn sunnier later.

Past the end of the lake the path followed a forested riverside, and then went up alongside moraines and other rocky terrain. Here, it started to rain, but not enough to get us to get out the rain pants. We kept going, with the trail getting sprinkle on but never getting really wet --- all the puddles were easy to step over, and the trailside waterfalls made for a refreshing soundtrack.

The views of the climb from the moraine was nothing short of amazing, and by the time we'd gotten to the teahouse we were very pleased with the walk and the scenery. Boen led the charge up and we arrived at the teahouse to be seated immediately, and when Xiaoqin and Bowen arrived we ordered a soup, snacks, and tea. Cash is required at the teahouse, and the prices are not cheap but it was a welcome break.

Past the teahouse we were above the treeline and the path became rocky though not unmanageable until you arrive within sight of the Abotts pass trail. From where we turned around and used the alternate route to the Agnes Teahouse. At this point the sun started to come out and the day turned sunny.

Rainjackets came off and we started eating the snacks we'd brought with us. The walk was uphill but since we were now below treeline it was mostly shaded, though once in a while you'd get a gorgeous panaromic view of Lake Louise and its unique color.

We eschewed climbing the Beehive as the kids were showing signs of weariness, and indeed they were very disappointed when they got to the Lake Agnes teahouse and there was a line out the door waiting to get seated --- there was just no point waiting that long to get seated.

Past the teahouse, the stairs brought us back down to a waterfall, followed by mirror lake from there it was a straight shot down. We saw people who were going up in this direction and to my mind it was a much tougher hike up as it was quite steep.

We arrived back at the lake in good shape and had a late lunch/early dinner at the Fairmont before returning to the hotel, though not before I stopped at the visitor's center to clarify what was needed to visit Lake Moraine. Since the only spots available to visit Lake Moraine were all in the afternoon/evening on the 27th, I gave up on the idea of doing a long hike (which the park ranger said would be too long to do for little kids anyway) and then also booked the Athabasca Glacier tour for that morning as well.

Having achieved all our plans I bought lip balm and insect repellent at the outdoor shop and proceeded to swim with the kids.