Plain of six glaciers

So start off by saying. DO NOT HIKE IN SMOKE. Your lungs burn, you feel dizzy and you drink enough water to fill Lake Louise.

It is one of the most popular hikes in the Lake Louise area, as it starts right at the Chateau. Start by winding around Lake Louise, swerving people, dodging selfies and due to this I would recommend going early. We started off at 8.20am which was perfect as the sun was up but yet to get the heat. People seem to trickle off as you get further around the lake, either they don't realize you can walk there or it is due to pure laziness.

Once around the lake where the estuary meets the lake the path winds along the cliff faces (some of which you'll be able to see climbers on), over a bridge which spans a large section of river, up into the wood which slowly inclines over time.

Eventually coming into a clearing you meander along the side of the mountain, hopping over small streams and over boulders and roots before coming out into an open valley caved by ancient glaciers, filled with small debris and mounds of discarded rocks. Follow the footpath here as there is also a horse trekking path (you can take a horse back trek up to the teahouse rather than walking, but I can imagine at an extorted price). Popping up onto the moraine and looking back you see waterfalls gushing down to the estuary and normally you'd be able to see the glistening blue of Lake Louise and the ski resort in the background, but for us it was a dusty grey lake and nothing but a wall of grey in the back. Keep trekking up in the scorching sun, not to far to go (hence why I recommend going early).

This scorned rubble trail retires back into the trees where you switchback across the mountain. Follow approximately another 600m until popping out to a clearing where there are a number of benches. These are perched facing in the direction of Mount Victoria, Mount Lefroy and Victoria Glacier (and for the girls most importantly the washrooms). From the benches to the right is where the Teahouse is located.

When we reached the clearing we could see the Helicopter going back and forth that we had heard the entire hike. We assumed they were bringing food supplies up to the hut but then found they were doing quite the opposite. Whoever was doing that was surely having a sh*t time (sorry dad joke).

Bri & Elena walking towards the Teahouse.

The Teahouse is so quaint. It was built in 1927 by Swiss guides employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a rest point for climbers venturing up to Abbots Pass. It was then bought in 1959 by Joy Kimball where she raised two daughters- one of which now runs the teahouse.

We decided as we were all hangry and grouchy from the smoke that we should sit and relax for a while. The teahouse is stone lined with rustic wooden balconies which you can perch on. Be warned the stairs to get to the second level are steeper than the hike. What I enjoyed most was that the house is in original condition and there are a few other outhouses surrounding it which staff reside in. All food on premise is made by propane or wood fire and prepared daily which makes the antique hut even more memorable.

Me top floor

Once satisfying our hanger we decided to go up further under the glaciers and get closer. From the teahouse that only took us 30-45 minutes. You veer through the trees once again along a narrow path popping out into outcropped rocks which have been well trampled down. There is a moraine which you can walk up to get closer to the glaciers and waterfalls.

Looking down at the Lower Victoria glacier you think "Oh, its not that big", but once looking closer you realize it goes well down under to where you stand but is disguised by debris and dirt. Only showing itself due to the crevaces peaking through.

The six glaciers that the area is named after are the hanging glaciers on Mt Lefroy, Mount Victoria and Mount Aberdeen as well as the one of Popes Peak, above the Lower Victoria and Lower Lefroy Glaciers. The most recognized is Victoria Glacier which can be seen from the Chateau. It is common to also hear avalanches in the warmer months. We managed to hear 4 in the span of time spent just at the Teahouse.

Bri standing on top the moraine.

Descending down from the moraine was speedy back to the teahouse (but also crowded). The descent back down to Lake Louise was even worse. If you are like us and start early brace yourself for hoards of people to come up during your descent. Nothing compared to that down at the Lake but this was by far (I would included Beehive with this statement) the busiest hike I've done-due to its location. The way down was easy going as it is not steep and follows with a long (almost too long) walk around the shoreline back to the mayhem of the Chateau.

If you're looking for seclusion and views this hike isn't for you as there will be 50 other people within a kilometre. I'd suggest going further away to a less known hike. But if you're after a short hike with rewarding views and aren't bothered by others this one is perfect!