The main Lake Louise parking lot is now fully available to the general public as Parks Canada has removed all the disabled parking spaces for the winter. The sky was overcast with a slight drizzle falling when the group arrived at the Lake Louise parking lot. By the time we headed up the Lake Agnes trail at 9:30, the light rain had stopped.

We stopped briefly at the teahouse, before heading around the lake and up the switchbacks leading to the Big Beehive.

The Devils Thumb left of centre

At the top of the switchbacks the group headed right on to the Devils Thumb trail. The easy cliff band was negotiated without issue and we then traversed the ledge around to the back of the Devils Thumb


The Devils Thumb from the Big Beehive

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Donna and Christina at the top of the cliff band

Traversing the ledge leading to the steep slopes below the col

The steep slope leading to the col was ascended on the trail on the left hand side. The weather had begun to clear and patches of blue sky greeted us at the col.

Mount Lefroy from the col with The Mitre to the left

From the col we headed up through the boulders to the top of the Devils Thumb. We were all hitting at the top by 11:45 am. The Devils Thumb provided it's usual superb views of the Lake Louise area and the Great Divide peaks to the West. It had been over 40 years since this trip coordinator had last been on the Devils Thumb. It was the first time on the Thumb for three of the trip participants.


Lake Agnes and Lake Louise from the top of the Devils Thumb

Sunlight on Aberdeen Glacier

Ramblers at the top of the Devils Thumb

The group settled in for lunch and with a small dessert of grappel. After about 30 minutes and with the wind increasing, we headed down to the slopes below the col which were totally sheltered from any wind. We retraced our steps back to the top of the switchbacks and since it was still early, headed over to the Big Beehive gazebo.

The gang at the Big Beehive gazebo

By this time the clouds had been replaced by sun and the group then made their way back down to the shore of Lake Agnes and around to the teahouse.

Mount Whyte and Mount Niblock from the switchbacks

Looking East from the West end of Lake Agnes

We took another break to enjoy the sunshine, before heading back down to the Lake Louise parking lot.


Lake Agnes and Devils Thumb in the afternoon sun

Enjoying the sun back at the teahouse

We arrived back at our vehicles at 3:15 pm.

My thanks to Dean,Jane,Cristina and Donna for their laughter and great conversation and for.joining me Kevin (C/S) on a wonderful day of hiking in the Lake Louise area.

total distance 14.5 km

total time 6 hrs

total elevation gain 825 metres