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Lake Louise is both an actual lake and a nearby hamlet located in the Canadian province of Alberta in Banff National Park. The unique emerald colour of the lake comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake. Recreational activities in the area include hiking, scrambling, and exceptional down-hill skiing. Lake Louise is named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848-1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, and the wife of Sir John Campbell, who was the Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. The province of Alberta is also named for the Princess Louise. The hamlet of Lake Louise is located beside the Trans-Canada Highway, 180 km (112 miles) west of Calgary. The background of Lake Louise is filled with views of several snow-capped mountains including Mount Temple (3543 m / 11,692 ft), Mount Whyte (2983 m / 9,844 ft) and Mount Niblock (2976 m / 9,820 ft). The village has a small shopping centre called "Samson Mall" which includes a park visitor centre, grocery store, bakery, sporting goods store, and fast-food establishments. The ski area Lake Louise Mountain Resort is also located here. On the eastern shore of the lake is Chateau Lake Louise, an elegant four star hotel. It was granted four stars by CAA / AAA. Though the service warrants it, the physical nature of the building makes a five star rating impossible. It was gradually built up at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is thus a cousin to Château Frontenac at the other end of the country. Several hiking trails start near the chateau which lead up to Saddleback Pass, Fairview Mountain (2744 m / 9,055 ft), Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, Big Beehive, Little Beehive, and for the more adventurous, Devils Thumb, Mount Whyte, and Mount Niblock. The lake can be reached by following Lake Louise Drive for a few kilometres up a fairly steep winding grade. Even with several large lots at the lake, parking is at a premium between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in July and August. About two-thirds the way up Lake Louise Drive, the 15 km (9 mile) road to Moraine Lake branches off to the southwest.
Picture gallery Image:Lake Louise.jpg|Lake Louise and the glacier in winter Image:Lake_Louise_Canada.JPG|Lake Louise and glacier Image:Lake_Louise_17092005.jpg|The lake with the Chateau | ||||||||
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