The Canadian Pacific Railroad built the Chateau Lake Louise at the east end of the lake late in the nineteenth century to provide an attractive tourist destination on their newly constructed rail line from Vancouver. It has been expanded and updated over the years and even today when automobile and airline travel dominate tourism the Chateau lives on as a vibrant destination hotel.

Our hike started at the Chateau and followed the shoreline halfway around the lake. Then the trail headed up the mountain side to the glacier fields that feed Lake Louise all year long. As the glacier-melt tumbles down the mountain side, it picks up minerals that color the water a unique green color.