Jasper/Banff Canada
It’s been on my bucket list to go to Lake Louise since college, and I decided that my 34th birthday was the time to check it off my list….however, Lake Louise was surrounded by so much beauty, I needed to make sure I planned enough time to explore it all, including backpacking the Skyline Trail.
When I booked this adventure with my friend Casandra, I knew that September would be a volatile month in Jasper, but I never would have guessed that meant 2 feet of snow! Setting out on our 3 day/2 night backpacking adventure we had heard that it had been snowing over the past few days, but I don’t think we were close to mentally prepared for just how much snow there was. The first day was beautiful being surrounded with lakes, trees, mountains and heaps of bear scat! Though we never actually saw a bear, their presence was quite known throughout our trek. Sure glad we had the bear spray! (Thanks Mike!)
It started snowing at the end of our first day off and on throughout the night….which meant the trail was being covered by another 15 inches of fresh snow by morning. Thank goodness we had some other guys we met on the trail who took off before us and lead the way, (literally with their foot prints). We ended up going about 3 miles out of the way hiking in serious snow and although the exhaustion was pretty extensive, the beauty was indescribable. Everything was white. It took my breath away. When we got to the ½ way mark for the day, another huge storm was coming in and we decided it was in our best interest to bail out to the lower campsite and head off the trail from there. Although we didn’t make the full skyline trail, our alternative route was pretty spectacular all the same.
After the 3-day trek, and our legs feeling like gummies, we treated ourselves to a night at the Chateau Lake Louise for a little pampering. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake might be 2 of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, as is all of Banff and Jasper. It’s truly awe inspiring with natural beauty and I can’t wait to go back!
