Fairview Mountain

 

Fairview Mountain  13 km  1015m elevation gain

The weather forecast was excellent for Saturday of Labour Day weekend with sunshine all day so we decided to take on something with elevation.  Since we were staying at the Chateau parking was easy despite getting caught in backed up cars for the main lot, it got so busy later the highway exit was closed to Lake Louise from 12-4.  It's madness.

This trail starts behind the boathouse (which was insanely busy) then heads straight up.  Maybe that's why we barely saw anyone.  

As you pass through avalanche paths, views gradually open up to look back to the Chateau and village.  

Looking ahead to Saddle Mtn.  This can also be added to the day.

After about 2.5k of up the trail levels out at a saddle.  It's a beautiful area full of larches, and bonus - views open up all around.

Before tackling Fairview we took a trail to the left for a view down Paradise Valley to Lake Annette.  The biggest climb is still ahead so this is an ideal opportunity for a break.

There's an excellent view of the glacier on top of Mount Temple.

Our objective is the top of this mound.

With steady elevation gain, views open up all around.  This is looking back up the highway toward Banff.  You can see the path through the saddle meadows below.

The trail was pretty decent if a little slippery in parts, if you follow it there's no scrambling required.  Other trails were visible that looked more challenging, straight up with no switchbacks.  My knees prefer switchbacks.

After at least 40 false summits, this view appears over the rock.  And it's worth it.

Hello.  I am here.

The view.  Mount Temple, Plain of the 6 Glaciers, the Beehives, Lake Louise, Waputik Icefield, Hector Lake and the Icefields parkway.  

Close up of the Waputik Icefield which spans the AB/BC border, Takakkaw Falls tips out of this icefield to the left.

For the last weekend of summer hiking I call this a big success.  10/10 would do again.