Lake Louise

                In the summer of 2017, my family made our first trip to Canada at Banff National Park. We stayed within the borders of Banff in the south and Jasper in the north that was connected by the Trans-Canada highway. The range is the lined with mountains and glaciers that house a gradient of ecosystems as elevation increases. In the middle of July, snow capped the mountain peaks that would persist until the winter replenished the entire park. The highway, at the lowest elevation in the range, was fenced in by unperturbed Engelmann Spruces and subalpine firs who grow alongside the black bears and marmots unaccustomed to the boon of tourism Banff has recently experienced. These wild species continuously cross the highway, daring unsuspecting drivers to speed. The only roads that intersect are those winding into the woods to reach trailheads.

                On our final day of our trip, my family embarked upon the Tea House hike. Lake Louise marks the beginning of the trail. The 100 year old hotel, originally built for outdoor enthusiasts and alpinists, is situated at the forefront of the lake. Now, the luxurious rooms are frequently occupied with the affluent who scoff at the idea of exerting themselves. There’s some irony to be noted, but this is far too commonplace in the world to address with only a single anecdote.

               However, I cannot blame them. The lake sat in the basin of Lefroy Glacier, feeding fed pure ice melt as the main water source. Therefore, the crystal blue water contained little to no acidic contaminants that are usually blended within water droplets. Snow forms crystal lattices restricting the amount of sulfur oxide and nitrogen incorporated within the each flake. Over the winter, the ice builds layers and layers one after the other. As everything in the world is cyclical, the dawn of summer initiates the melting into pellucid water that can be seen as it streams down the side of the glacier.

                But there are two streams, two glaciers. The lake’s reflection doubles the scenery. The glacier’s valley forms an X at the base and elevates as it creeps closer to my view. Clouds cascade through the water from east to west, and backwards trees point the top of their trunks at the residents. The imagery is too large to be fractured by canoes and jumping fish’s ripples. It’s as if Lake Louise was so envious of Lefroy she mimicked the glacier and all her associates. It’s only a matter of time until the Lefroy is desolate, and Louise no longer mirrors her nobility.