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Caption: LAKE LOUISE Going behind the scenes at Canada's most photographed lake with @citizensoftheworld
Caption: Many come to Lake Louise searching for those snow-capped-moody-Instagram-like baiting shots from the shores that look like the shooter just happened upon this oasis while hunting for water to fill their canteen during a rough-and-tumble spirit quest through the Canadian wilderness.
And you’ll get those shots for sure, as long as you don’t mind jockeying with a few other hundred other Insta-fiends in the process...
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Caption: Because like the veritable pageant queen that she is, Lake Louise in Alberta can get as crazy as she is come-hither. Especially in summer.
Sure, she’s stunning with her soaring mountain amphiteatre but every single person in the world wants to get close to her, which means in order to have any kind of success on this journey you’re going have to make like John Nash and ‘A Beautiful Mind’ this thing...
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Caption: Our point being? If you simply focus on the lake you’re going to miss a whole world of surrounding beauty.
Such as...
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Caption: BIG BEEHIVE HIKE & LAKE AGNES TEA HOUSE Big Beehive is the shortest but arguably one of the most badass hikes around Lake Louise. The bonus? In typical friendly Canadian style you can stop for a pot of tea on the way up.
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Caption: It all starts very civilised at Chateau Lake Louise where the trail is thoroughly well-maintained and softly inclines for about 2.4km until you get to Mirror Lake (which, you’ll notice isn’t just a clever name).
This is the turning point where you ask yourself “how much do I really want a cup of tea right now?” To which the correct answer is always “SO MUCH! I LOVE TEA!”.
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Caption: With that decided you wipe your brow and press on behind Mirror Lake towards the highline trail directing you to Lake Agnes. Things will start to get a little tougher for about half an hour. The bugs angrier, the ground softer, but you might not notice because there’s a shimmering cascading waterfall singing its siren song of Earl Grey and Oolong, marking the final climb towards Lake Agnes Tea House.
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Caption: [2 people who clearly want a cup of tea. Badly.]
Caption: Restored by the caffeine hit, we recommend carrying on around the back of Lake Agnes, following the switchbacks to the crown of Big Beehive for views across Lake Louise and Bow Valley.
Along this trail you'll pass ornate ice bridges and shimmering melting glaciers. Occasionally you'll hear avalanches occasionally thundering in the distance, a sharp reminder that nature does not mess around.
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Caption: Eventually you'll reach the summit where you can sit and watch the tourists below as they jostle for the stock standard shots. Your reward is the feeling of being alone.
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Caption: Canada, we love you.
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Caption: @citizensoftheworld Photography: Dominic Loneragan
Words: Meghan Loneragan
citizensoftheworld.cc
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