The Beehive
August 18, 2009
2270m
Lake Louise, AB
The Beehive, or commonly known as Big Beehive, is another insignificant “peak” that has an official name on it. A popular hiking trail brings thousands of tourists to its summit every year. This was my first summit in the Canadian Rockies. Dad, mom and I did it on our second day of the 4-day road trip. Our original plan was to hike Plain of Six Glaciers Trail to its end to see some glaciated peaks, but mom and I increased our ambition on the way back.
After visiting the famous Moraine Lake in the cold morning, we drove to Lake Louise and began our hike. Plain of Six Glaciers is a popular hike on a well-defined trail. On the backside of Lake Louise, there were a couple spots that the trail gets a bit rocky or slightly exposed, but generally it’s straightforward even for hikers. The views were constantly changing and we got different perspectives of the surrounding mountains. Near the end of this trail, I decided to hike up a scree path to a higher vantage point to get some better view of Abbot Pass and the Death Trap, but at that time I was very nervous on scree. I struggled up for 50 vertical meters or so before feeling too sketchy to continue. Then I couldn’t comfortably come down… I had to butt-slide down most of the way…
On the way back mom and I decided to take the “Highline Trail”, while dad would go straight back to car for some sleep. Mom and I eventually went up the south side of Big Beehive via some steep switchbacks, and to our surprise, this viewpoint offers equally amazing views especially down towards Lake Louise, and Lake Agnes on the other side. We went down the other side to Lake Agnes, and followed the tourist route back to Lake Louise. After the hike we drove to Banff townsite and Lake Minnewanka for some photos.
Moraine Lake in the morning
The tourist’s shot of Lake Louise
Me and Lake Louise
Around the lake to its backside
View from the backside of Lake Louise
As a hiker, I felt this part a bit exposed
Me with Mount Victoria behind
Lookin’ up from the Teahouse
Mount Lefroy
Me at the official end of Plain of Six Glaciers. Lake Louise behind
Dad sitting below a scree cone
Abbot Pass and The Death Trap
We hiked to the base of this waterfall
Me with lower Victoria Glacier below
A little critter
Looking back towards Lake Louise
Back to easier terrain, we took the Highline Trail
Lake Louise seen from summit of Big Beehive
Looking over the highway towards Mount Richardson, the highest in Skoki area
Devil’s Thumb is another scramble in this area
Lake Agnes shows some different colour than Lake Louise
Lake Agnes, and the steep trail descending to the lake level
Down to Lake Agnes
The classic shot of Lake Agnes, with Devil’s Thumb and Mount Whyte behind
Me and Mirror Lake
Still had a ways to go after the last switchback.
Back to Lake Louise, it was raining.
Steven's Peak-bagging Journey 