The Rocky Mountaineer 2015: Lake Louise

Lake Louise was our destination today. But as with anywhere in the Canadian Rockies, getting there was a highlight in itself!
We departed our hotel & drive north on the Trans-Canada Highway, past Banff & around Cascade Mountain, before turning off the highway onto the slower, narrower, & even more scenic Bow River Parkway.
After a short stop to enjoy views over the Muleshoe Wetlands we continued to our first real stop.
At Johnston Canyon we were able to take a short hike as far as each traveler wished along a river-eroded limestone canyon, at times walking along raised catwalks. The end destination for those who ventured so far was the first of seven waterfalls. With an early arrival we had the still-peaceful canyon largely to ourselves.
Continuing slowly north along the Parkway we passed the site of Silver City, a short-lived silver-rush boom 'town', the memorial to the Ukranian Canadians & others who were interred at Castle Camp during WW1, & paste Castle Mountain & Eisenhower Peak.
As we arrived at the Lake Louise Ski area the sky was getting darker but we pressed on & rode our gondolas or chairlifts up the mountain, scanning the ground eagerly n the hope of seeing bears (alas no luck today). Unfortunately by the time we arrived at the top it had begun to rain & soon worsening conditions, including a few claps of thunder, led to the lift being shut! We sheltered under a large tent as the ski resort began to send pick-up trucks up the mountain to 'rescue' us. Just as a bus arrived the lift was reopened so we all regrouped at the base of the mountain, a little late but in time for lunch & in good spirits. Thank you to everyone for taking this little 'hiccup' in their stride & being flexible.
From lunch we made the short drive to Lake Louise itself. Just 25 minutes behind schedule now & with the sun peeping through it looked as though we were in luck, & we had plenty of time for short walks, to explore the chateau hotel, & of course enjoy the views.
Sadly it began to rain again so we gathered at the bus &, now a little early, took a short side trip north to Kicking Horse Pass, one of the major passes through the Canadian Rockies. The pass is the location of the Spiral Tunnels, an incredible feat of early 20th century engineering, allowing trains to descend or climb through the pass without risking dangerous gradients. At last we were in luck & just as we arrived the sun shone & a long goods train entered the tunnels, demonstrating the system clearly.
We returned to our hotel, arriving right on time after a long, enjoyable, & at times exciting day.

Tomorrow one of the world's great drives: The Icefields Parkway

Muleshoe Wetlands, overlooking the Bow River