take a hike

This 11 mile trek was one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever experienced. All of the rave reviews about Banff were accurate, it is a stunning landscape worth the trip. We started our hike at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a popular destination for any visitor to Alberta. Once we started gaining elevation toward Lake Agnes, the crowds died down and we were left scaling upward in peace & quiet. From Lake Agnes we followed the circumference of the frozen lake up to the Big Beehive for an amazing vista of the hotel and Lake Louise below us. We continued onward toward the Plain of Six Glaciers which brought us to another teahouse, which was sadly closed in late October. We took a brief rest and headed toward Victoria Glacier. Roundtrip this was an 11 mile hike with some intense inclines. By the end of it, our legs were happy to be back in the car. Enjoy the pictures, I have included a few from downtown Banff and the drive from Banff to Lake Louise.
Cheers.

Black Butte is a strikingly obvious hike as you drive over the Santiam Pass. It may sit prominently near the town of Sisters, but it is often dwarfed by the Three Sisters mountain range nearby and views of Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington and Three Fingered Jack. Still, it's a great 3.8 mile hike which takes you up above the tree line with wonderful views of Central Oregon. It is a definite must-hike if you are visiting in Sisters for a day or two. Be warned, it is 1.9 miles uphill, there are no flat breaks on this hike. But the reward at the top is worth it, you will be glad you did this one.

To get there, follow Highway 20 East to Green Ridge Road 11, there will be signs for Indian Ford Campground. Take this road for 3.8 miles, turn left on Road 1110 and follow it 5.1 miles to teh parking area at the end.

Cheers!