A Trip of Firsts – Visiting Lake Louise

Words by Dalene Heck / Photography by Pete Heck

We had never been to Waterton. Or in a canoe.

Never been quadding, or never tried Lumpy Dick.

This trip to our home province has been one of many ‘firsts’, where even though we lived here for 30+ years, we finally did all of the above (and more).

And one final ‘first’ that we completed is our most embarrassing one to date. I believe, for it was to visit one of the most stunning lakes in Canada, one that was well within our reach for almost two decades.

While we had visited Lake Louise on one brief occasion before, we never walked it’s shoreline and took it all in. We couldn’t comment on the alternating shades of blue and green that shimmered in the water, or the fresh and intoxicating alpine smell. We never understood why it is so often called the “Jewel of the Rockies”.

until now…

Lake-Louise-Alberta-974x649
Lake-Louise-Reflections-974x1462
Lake-Louise-Angles-974x645
Lake-Louise-Looking-Back-974x649
Dalene-Lake-Louise-974x649

And I suppose (hope), that’s okay, right? As long as ‘firsts’ are still undertaken, no matter when, no matter how, as long as they are.

*****

Many thanks to Banff National Park tourism for their assistance on this trip. As always, all opinions are our own.

26 Comments... Read them below or add one of your own
  • Cam
    October 24 2012

    Looks like you guys are there at a perfect time – no crowds! Some great photos – my fav is the 3rd one
    Cam recently posted..From Our Lens – Cruising Around Lake Lucerne

    • Pete
      October 26 2012

      For sure it was superb timing, right in between summer and ski season. We only saw 1 tour bus the whole time. Plus there were only a handful of folks who decide to actually walk around the lake, instead just staying on the shore by the Chateau. The only downfall is that when we went to see Moraine Lake, the ranger had just closed the road and access for the season 🙁

  • Carmel
    October 24 2012

    Holy….wow.

    I’m from Seattle originally and have been to Canada for all of 2 hours in my entire life. That’s embarrassing.

    • Pete
      October 26 2012

      Haha, yes, feel the shame 😉 We’ll forgive you because you are from one of our favorite cities!

  • October 24 2012

    I really, really need to get to this part of Canada… your photos make it look amazing!
    Amanda recently posted..Walking the Walls of Dubrovnik

  • Dayna
    October 24 2012

    Love the beauty of Lake Louise, and LOVE your photos (as always)!

    • Pete
      October 26 2012

      Thanks so much Dayna!

  • October 25 2012

    Stunning photos as always guys. I feel like I could lose myself in them for hours, there is something so enigmatic about them.
    Hannah recently posted..The beginning of the beginning

    • Pete
      October 26 2012

      There truly is, it’s difficult not to get stuck behind the lens. I had to force myself to put the camera down and just breathe them in.

  • October 25 2012

    Wonderful shots! I’ve heard so many great things about Banff and these photos have just sealed the deal for me.
    Randy recently posted..Travel Bites: Erica’s Famous Drunken Pinto Beans!

  • Kent and I LURV the Canadian Rockies. You seemed to capture how magical Lake Louis is.
    Caanan @ No Vacation Required recently posted..Always Buy Travel Medical Insurance

    • Pete
      October 26 2012

      Cheers Caanan, I think we all can agree that those Rocky Mountains hold a special place in our hearts.

  • October 25 2012

    When I was a little girl a great aunt showed me pictures of her trip to Lake Louise, where she stayed in the Chateau. I thought it was the most glamorous place on the planet. Still haven’t got there, but your photos confirm my opinion!
    Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..Travels with Bogie #BTC4A

    • Pete
      October 26 2012

      How cool Vera. I was looking at pictures of when they first built the Chateau and thought how magical it would have been back then when the tourism was not at the height it is at now. It still is as glamorous as it was back then.

  • October 25 2012

    Next time we meet, you will have to make me some lumpy dick 🙂

    • Pete
      October 26 2012

      Whoa, easy Cailin, this is a PG website :). PS I’m sure Dalene can whip you up some.

  • October 29 2012

    Lovely photos! I was lucky enough to work at the Chateau Lake Louise for a summer a few years ago, and it still feels like a second home to me. It’s such an amazing place for hiking.
    Jessica recently posted..Sunday Snapshot

    • October 30 2012

      There are so many great hikes around there, I wish we had made time for more!

  • Heather
    October 29 2012

    Don’t feel bad. I lived at Castle Mountain, halfway between the Banff and Lake Louise townsites for 8 months and never really went to Lake Louise. Or radium, or the hotsprings or… I did get in some great hikes though.

    • October 30 2012

      I didn’t know that Heather! Thanks for making me feel better – ha! 🙂

  • Marie @ A Montrealer Abroad
    October 31 2012

    It really sucks sometimes that Canada is SO big 🙁 I really wish I could have gone there already!

  • November 3 2012

    I have wanted to go to Lake Louise ever since I was a child, it seems like such a beautiful area to visit. Your photos make it look even more so. I have heard that it can get crowded, but it seems that you picked a quite time, with less crowds. Your photographs are really stunning!
    Elle of Solo Female Nomad recently posted..Life Begins, I Will Be Leaving The Office Cubicle

    • November 3 2012

      I really think we did go at the perfect time – just after the summer rush, yet before ski season! There were quite a few people there still, but it wasn’t overpowering, that’s for sure.

  • Jfur
    November 3 2012

    Yum! I can’t wait to make this place a first for me as well.

    PS. (Is Lumpy Dick related to Spotted Dick?)

    • November 4 2012

      Apparently, it is! We had never heard of Spotted Dick before.

  • June 4 2017

    Being lucky enough to live in British Columbia, we always enjoy camping in and around Lake Louise. Never get tired of the natural beauty! 🙂
    Robert recently posted..Top 10 Best Things To Do In India

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