Thursday, August 13, 2009

The First Hike - Plain of Six Glaciers at Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada


Distance: 8.4 miles (13.6 km) round trip
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: June - October

The Plain of Six Glaciers at Banff National Park is an absolutely quintessential hike for all who visit the Canadian Rockies. While it was surprisingly quite busy, that is for a reason. This hike basically has every geological and ecological aspect of Banff, in addition to unbelieveable icy scenery all rolled into one spectacular valley.


The hike begins at the enormous Chateau Lake Louise. The hike begins as a leisurely stroll along a flat trail skirting the eastern edge of the turquoise blue Lake Louise. After 2 km, the trail reaches the end of the lake at a muddy delta forms where the inflowing stream deposits its glacial flour into the lake. Here, the trail begins its slow ascent through spruce forests with glimpses of the beautiful hanging glaciers in the back of the valley.


About 1km after departing the lake, openings in the trees reveal a massive terminal moraine from the last advance of the Victoria glacier in the 1800's. Here, massive cascades of brown water tumble down the debris field where the stream has cut a notch into the moraine. The trail begins climbing more, as it skirts the edge of the valley, with towering mountain peaks rising above.


There is a place at appears to be nearing the end of the trail, with the glacial headwall seemingly just behind it. However, this is a false illusion, as the trail then switchbacks up the slope. However, within 1 km from that point you will arrive at the "teahouse". The teahouse is an alpine hut serving expensive sandwichs, pasta, coffee, and an assortment items. This is where most people end the hike, with a spectacular view into the back of the basin, with glaciers all around.


However, by continuing an easy 1.3 km further, you can reach the very back of the basin and stand directly above the beautiful Victoria glacier. From this end point, there is an incredible view all the way down the valley to Lake Louise below. In addition, you can see the crevasses and other glacial features up close and personal. In the very back of the basin, there is a narrow notch known as "Death Trap" which is filled with ice and has vertical cliffs rising from all sides.

I found being so upclose and personal with a glacier to be an exilerating experience. This became especially so when the something like the sound of jet airplane came rumbling through the valley. Upon looking onto the other slope, I saw this amazing avanlance in action!



Although this trail was much busier than I prefer to hike on, the incredible beauty of the spot and the fascinating geology made it well worth tolerating the crowds and really the highlight of my visit to Banff!

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

These marrakech riad with private pool forms must be completed before you travel for cheap?
All in all, Morocco is very attractive. There are always
potters who try and make newer version of tagines especially the ones
having glazed lids from the inside and this is their black
pepper paste. You will be accorded with the best" is the most exotic locations on earth which surely would render some unforgettable memories which you surely would be finding here. This is actually a thermos brand mug.

My website Marrakech riad rooftop Pool

Anonymous said...

Then ѕhe got remarried, and her second husband had ɑ guitar.
I was shaking so much tɦe landlord thought
I was fresh from an interrogation session. As a good example of the օbserver, let's look at a moose walking through a forest, just going along its
merry way.

my web site - hipshot b bender

xjd7410@gmail.com said...

20150908 junda
michael kors
louboutin pas cher
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
soccer jerseys wholesale
ray ban sunglass
prada handbags
ugg australia
adidas uk
nike blazer
fitflops sale clearance
air force 1
longchamp outlet
jordan shoes
michael kors outlet online
new balance outlet
prada outlet
ugg boots sale
kate spade handbags
ray bans
adidas gazelle trainers
polo ralph lauren outlet
barbour uk
north face uk
michael kors handbags
ray ban outlet
ray ban sunglasses
michael kors uk
uggs outlet
ralph lauren uk
michael kors handbag
nike free run 5.0
oakley sunglasses sale
canada goose uk
toms wedges
cheap soccer shoes
coach outlet online
adidas shoes
oakley sunglasses wholesale
coach factory outlet

Unknown said...

ferragamo outlet
ugg outlet uk
gucci outlet
karen millen uk
tiffany and co
tods outlet
giuseppe zanotti outlet
baltimore ravens
woolrich outlet store
air max 2014
louis vuitton,borse louis vuitton,louis vuitton sito ufficiale,louis vuitton outlet
ugg boots
boston celtics
cheap ugg boots
cheap nfl jersey
new orleans saints
lacoste shirts
tods shoes
valentino outlet
supra shoes
nba jerseys
1024minko

bzdffdss said...


The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society, reported that only 20 percent of pregnant dolphins captured in oil contaminated Louisiana's Barataria Bay in 2011 had produced viable calves.Ultrasound Transducer Probe
Patient monitor A study of similar dolphins in Florida's Sarasota Bay reported a pregnancy success rate of 83 percent.

wholesale nfl jerseys said...

In his comments to the press, 3d vr glassesForeign Minister Dion highlighted the futility of maintaining Canada's sanctions as other countries begin to remove them.virtual reality glasses He noted the economic disadvantages to Canadian business interests of not only maintaining Canada's sanctions but delaying their removal virtual reality glassesas it gives other countries a head start in their pursuit of economic opportunities with Iran. As Canada's economy vr headsetlooks to expand and diversify amid a sinking loonie, falling oil prices, and uncertainty in the stock markets,vr headset Iran represents a large and untapped market where Canadian firms can compete in Iran's aviation, infrastructure,vr headset petrochemical, agricultural, medical and technological sectors, to name but a few.

Unknown said...

20160402 JUNDA
ray bans
asics shoes
true religion outlet
timberland boots
lululemon sale
michael kors outlet
under armour outlet
michael kors outlet online
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet online
nike huarache trainers
supra shoes
michael kors outlet
coach outlet online
nike free runs
louis vuitton pas cher
christian louboutin uk
asics gel nimbus
oakley sunglasses
marc jacobs outlet
coach outlet
armani watches
under armour shoes
rolex replica watches
lululemon outlet
salvatore ferragamo
ferragamo shoes
christian louboutin outlet
jimmy choo shoes
instyler max
canada goose outlet
coach outlet online
pandora jewelry
air force 1
cheap uggs
fitflops outlet
mont blanc pens
omega seamaster
ray ban outlet
ed hardy uk

John said...

coach outlet store online
adidas trainers
kate spade outlet
coach outlet online
rolex watches
hollister kids
coach factory outlet online
michael kors handbags
coach factory outlet online
polo ralph lauren outlet
true religion sale
cheap jordan shoes
salvatore ferragamo
valentino shoes
oakley sunglasses outlet
nmd adidas
mizuno running shoes
the north face outlet
reebok outlet
kobe 11
ray ban sunglasses outlet
adidas pure boost
michael kors outlet online
jordans shoes
longchamp bag
ray ban outlet store online
abercrombie and fitch
lacoste shoes
stephen curry shoes
louis vuitton purse
mlb jerseys wholesale
burberry outlet
kobe bryant shoes
designer handbags outlet
prada outlet
converse
2016627yuanyuan

Okto Nabati said...

very good article and useful once for my admin and pardon me permission to share articles herein may be useful and helpful Cara menyembuhkan rematik

Unknown said...

may be useful for all, helpful article once and pardon me permission to share also here

Cara mengatasi biduran
Obat tersiram air panas
Cara mengatasi nyeri dada

Unknown said...

true religion outlet
lunette oakley
herve leger dresses
ray ban sunglasses
nike air max
hilfiger outlet
polo ralph lauren
air jordan
thomas sabo charms
ralph lauren
201804.27yangpeng

520 said...

oakley sunglasses
dallas cowboys jerseys
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
canada goose
michael kors bags
oakley eyeglasses
red bottom
kate spade outlet
longchamp outlet

Unknown said...

tory burch shoes
yeezy boost 350 v2
adidas ultra boost
nike basketball shoes
nike air max 90
goyard wallet
yeezy
yeezy boost
yeezy 500
adidas nmd

Unknown said...

20180719 junda
thunder jerseys
golden state warriors jerseys
jordan 32
freshjive clothing
true religion jeans
warriors jerseys
van cleef & arpels jewelry
swarovski outlet
adidas outlet
jerseys from china

Unknown said...

damian lillard shoes
cheap jordans
moncler outlet
michael kors outlet
ultra boost
pureboost
curry shoes
adidas stan smith uk
mens basketball shoes
yeezy 500

QQQQQQQQQ said...

ray ban sunglasses outlet
http://www.kobeshoes.uk
curry 4 shoes
oakley
goyard handbags
cheap jordans
cheap basketball shoes
yeezy
fila shoes
off white

SSSSSS said...

air max 270
yeezy
jordan retro 12
kevin durant shoes
nike flyknit racer
balenciaga shoes
kd 10
converse outlet
golden goose
ray ban aviator sunglasses

5689 said...

zzzzz2018.8.11
moncler outlet
ugg boots
louboutin shoes
football soldes
skechers shoes
converse shoes
ultra boost 3.0
canada goose jackets
pandora charms outlet
nike shoes for women

Unknown said...

www1013

canada goose outlet
tod's outlet
ralph lauren
reebok outlet
canada goose outlet
christian louboutin outlet
ray ban sunglasses
coach outlet
pandora outlet
clarks shoes




Unknown said...

cheap mlb jerseys
golden goose sneakers
birkin bag
yeezys
jordans
off white nike
yeezy boost 350
adidas stan smith shoes
off white jordan 1
yeezy 700

Quick Shopfronts said...

shutter repair service

Hp Printer Solution said...

hp printer offline

Hp Printer Solution said...

Awesome Blog. Check hp printer offline how to fix

Hp Printer Solution said...

why my hp printer is offlineVisit us for solution.

Hp Printer Solution said...

Hp Deskjet 3755 setup mac

Hp Printer Solution said...

hp deskjet 3755 setup wifi

Hp Printer Solution said...

Hp printers setup

Hp Printer Solution said...

how to setup hp deskjet 3755 to wifi

Anonymous said...


App Developers
Mobile App Developers

Beaver Appliance Repair

House Cleaning Services

emergency shutter repair london said...

roller shutter repair east london

DramaCooly.com said...

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8175187650429886480&postID=6763773172510695747&page=1&token=1599241367371

Administrasi Bisnis said...

hiking yang menambah wawasan dan relasi

Desain Komunikasi Visual said...

whats descriptions?

UMJ BERKEMAJUAN said...

Thanks for sharing useful information

Hidayat said...

I would very appreciate to show the same thing on the dashboard

Just Giving Back For All To Enjoy

Why pay money to buy hiking books? Why pay fees to view trail websites? By searching my archives and checking back often to see new posts, we are sure you will be able to find the hike that is right for you ... and for free!

In addition, we provide fascinating ecological and geological information to make the hikes informative and fun. As former National Park Rangers, we know how to find the right hike for you. So, if you are on vacation, we will provide you with the hike you absolutely MUST do while in an area. Do not go on vacation without checking out this site!