CR2016: Sherbrooke Lake

Today began with a long, luscious breakfast at Canadian Artisans shared with the newlyweds Lindsay and Andrew, from Queens. After a late getaway Joan and I drove past Banff, Lake Louise, and the Lake O'Hara parking area to the Sherbrooke Lake/Paget Lookout parking, just after the Great Divide Lodge.

We had taken both hikes before, Sherbrooke before I started blogging, possibly in 2007, and Paget Lookout in 2012. It was time to check out the lake again, albeit with an 11:30 start.

The trail began as a gentle-to-moderate but steady climb through the woods. (The Paget Lookout spur is steep.)

There were flowers everywhere, including blooming butterwort, bog orchid, twisted wintergreen, and more. We soon encountered a fellow from California (originally Philadelphia) headed towards us, and stopped expecting to exchange a few trail pleasantries. However he didn't want to stop talking. When other hikers needed to pass we took the opportunity to break away.

The weather was unsettled with hide-and-seek sunshine and drizzle. After the Paget Lookout trail split off we made a mild descent to the lake level.

I soon spotted this fellow, likely a Western Toad. (Note the long dorsal stripe.) It must be hard being an amphibian up north, with such a short summer season.

The trail along the east bank of the lake is rocky and rooty and doesn't offer a plethora of good lunch spots. Looking back we saw clouds gathering above Kicking Horse Pass and the Trans-Canada.

We reached the top of the lake, went a bit further, and then turned around. At one point Joan spotted 5 mountain goats on the slopes above the west shore.

Late in the hike we encountered a family of spruce grouse. Here's mama.

She had three youngsters, two in this photo.

We spent the night at the bottom of Kicking Horse Pass, at Cathedral Mountain Lodge. This is an angled view of the main office and restaurant.

The lodge is a mere fifteen minutes or so from the Lake O'Hara parking area, our goal for tomorrow, and where our rental car will get five nights' rest.