Canadian Roadstories

Stories & Pictures about Canadian People, Places and Things

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Home
  • Canadian People
  • Canadian Places
  • Canadian Things
  • Canada’s First Peoples
  • About

The Lake Agnes Tea House

July 24, 2016 by Leslie Leave a Comment

Lake Agnes Tea House

The Agnes Tea House sits at an altitude of 2135 m (7005 ft), which is about a 400 m elevation gain from Lake Louise.
. . . . . . .

A friend and I recently visited Banff National Park in Alberta. I was standing in awe of the turquoise water of Lake Louise when we saw a sign telling us about a 3.8 kilometre hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House. We couldn’t resist. Off we went along a trail that got rougher as we climbed through the fascinating huge trees covered with moss and backed by the gigantic mountains.

Lake Agnes, Alberta

Lake Agnes, together with Mirror Lake and Lake Louise are often referred to as the ‘Lakes in the Clouds’.
. . . . . . .

Just below the steps leading up to the Tea House a waterfall came tumbling and splashing out of Lake Agnes and into the sunlight.

waterfall at Lake Agnes Tea House
When W.C. Van Horne, the man in charge of building the Canadian Pacific Railway across Canada, completed it in 1885, he looked at the gorgeous scenery of the Rocky Mountains, and said,

“If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists”.

Soon people from all over Canada and the United States were coming to visit. Lake Agnes was named after the wife of John A. MacDonald, Canada’s Prime Minister, an outdoor enthusiast who visited several times and apparently once had the train’s engineer give her a ride on the cow catcher at the front of the train. The CPR built the Lake Agnes Tea House in 1901 as a rest stop for hikers. By 1905, tea was being served in the log cabin building, and in 1981 the log cabin was replaced by the current building. Hikers, and just plain walkers like myself and my friend continue to crowd in from all over the world.

forest near Lake Agnes Tea House

Banff National Park encompasses 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 sq mi) of mountainous terrain with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes.
. . . . . . .

The Tea House was a busy spot. I don’t know how the four very busy, efficient, young waitresses did it, but we got our sandwiches and sat down at a table overlooking peaceful Lake Agnes.

On the way back, we joked with people trekking up the rocky trail – “worth the trek” indeed.

Share9
Tweet
Pin1
Shares 10

Related

Filed Under: Canada, Canadian Things Tagged With: Banff, Lake Louise

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Noteworthy

Louie Kamookak – Inuit oral historian and finder of Sir John Franklin’s lost ships

Louie Kamookak – Inuit oral historian and finder of Sir John Franklin’s lost ships

The Canada Letter – New York Times – Why A.I. First Spoke With a Canadian Accent:

The Canada Letter – New York Times – Why A.I. First Spoke With a Canadian Accent:

“First Nations boy with long hair who can skate.”

“First Nations boy with long hair who can skate.”

The North Needs More Doctors

The North Needs More Doctors

A Canadian problem …

A Canadian problem …

More Noteworthy Posts

Popular Posts

10 Canadian Food Finds10 Canadian Food Finds2K Total Shares
Ployes recipe – What is a ploye?Ployes recipe – What is a ploye?1K Total Shares
1000 Islands Pizza, Brockville1000 Islands Pizza, Brockville859 Total Shares
Cabot Trail Nova ScotiaCabot Trail Nova Scotia691 Total Shares
Hot springs in CanadaHot springs in Canada672 Total Shares
Making Maple SyrupMaking Maple Syrup646 Total Shares
Haida Gwaii WatchmenHaida Gwaii Watchmen644 Total Shares
The Special Areas of AlbertaThe Special Areas of Alberta586 Total Shares
Old general stores in Alberta, CanadaOld general stores in Alberta, Canada498 Total Shares
In Flanders FieldsIn Flanders Fields490 Total Shares
Previous
The Caveman of Bonnechere
Next
Serious Squid
  • Home
  • Canadian People
  • Canadian Places
  • Canadian Things
  • Canada’s First Peoples
  • About