“Lake of the Little Fishes” as the Stoney Indians called it, was named Emerald Lake by Tom Wilson. His job as horse packer for the Canadian Pacific Railway lead to Edwin Hunter, a Stoney Indian, taking him to see it in August of 1882. Tom was the first non Indian person to see it. Two years later, in 1884, Queen Victoria named it Lake Louise after her fourth daughter Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. The lake is fed from the run off of Victoria Glacier.
“You have to visit Lake Louise at least once in your life, see it in person,” stated my Mother. With that she broke into a line of the song Blue Canadian Rockies. I trust her eye for beauty and have heard her say how beautiful Lake Louise is. Having been there in her past she has shared her desire to return. Honoring her wishes, we added a stop at Lake Louise as a part of our day trip to Banff.
In 2017 Canada celebrated 100 years by offering free admission to all National and Provincial Parks. Folks from around the world were navigating Banff National Park to view the beauty. We traveled through Kananaskis Country on 40 to Trans-Canada Highway also known as #1. I do not recall ever being completely immersed in the mountains as I was that day.
I found the crowded atmosphere overwhelming and questioned why we picked this location as we drove around trying to find a place to park. The first available had a two hour limit and we would need to ride a bus up to Lake Louise itself. Arriving, after a short bus ride and walk to the lake, found the edge of the lake lined with crowds. A long line for rentals extinguished my desire to canoe on Lake Louise as an escape from the masses.
Alas, we found our way to an available spot on the rocky shore. Forgetting the correct words of the Blue Canadian Rockies my mom had inserted her own… “my feet in the waters, of the beautiful Lake Louise.” That sounded nice, so after sitting on the rocks off came my shoes and socks. My sister and mother followed suite. Suddenly, I realized a new feeling had overcome me. As I sat barefooted on the rocks a sense of complete peace had overcome me. I felt a connection to the earth and creator, the crowds of people were no longer visible to my spirit.
My sister and I took turns sitting on an island rock. Peaceful, relaxing laughter and conversation danced between the three of us. We all braved the cold waters of the Emerald Lake dangling our feet from the banks of Lake Louise.
Our time and Mom’s mobility was limited, but there is a trail leading from Lake Louise to a tea house high in the mountains that I am adding to my bucket list. Now, I too, have a desire to return to Lake Louise. Do you?
