Beehive, The (Lake Agnes, Mirror Lake)

September 25, 2010, Bow Range, Banff National Park

Summit
2270 m
Gain
850 m
Distance
11.5 km
Round trip
4 hr
Technical
TL2 YDS (Hiking)
Activity
hike
Quick 'n dirty
Class 1/2 - you fall, you tripped over your own feet
Difficulty
Hiking on trail - some minor exposure and loose scree.
Route
GPS trackMap

On Friday, September 25 2010 Hanneke and I did a nice hiking circuit in Lake Louise. Our route took us to Lake Agnes, over The Beehive and down to the Plain of Six Glaciers trail back to the parking lot. The Beehive is not a tough scramble by any means, but it does involve some elevation gain and consequently some very sublime views over some very scenic lakes.

The Beehive & Lake Agnes Route Map
The Beehive & Lake Agnes Route Map

Looking back on this trip now (in 2026), I can’t believe that we drove to the parking lot, managed to find FREE parking and simply hiked up to Lake Agnes and the Beehive with hardly a soul around. At the height of larch season.

Mount Victoria over Lake Louise.
Mount Victoria over Lake Louise.1 / 12
Lake Agnes with Mount Whyte looming above.
Lake Agnes with Mount Whyte looming above.2 / 12
Lake Agnes from the back side (tea house is across from here). Beehive on the right, Piran on the left.
Lake Agnes from the back side (tea house is across from here). Beehive on the right, Piran on the left.3 / 12
Telephoto of the Lake Agnes Tea House with Ptarmigan Peak rising beyond.
Telephoto of the Lake Agnes Tea House with Ptarmigan Peak rising beyond.4 / 12
Larches and Mount Hector.
Larches and Mount Hector.5 / 12
Views over Lake Louise are stunning.
Views over Lake Louise are stunning.6 / 12
Lake Louise.
Lake Louise.7 / 12
Lake Louise.
Lake Louise.8 / 12
Great views looking towards Lefroy (left) and Victoria (right).
Great views looking towards Lefroy (left) and Victoria (right).9 / 12
Great views looking towards Lefroy (left) and Victoria (right).
Great views looking towards Lefroy (left) and Victoria (right).10 / 12
Lake Louise with Mount Fairview looming above.
Lake Louise with Mount Fairview looming above.11 / 12
Sheol, Aberdeen and Lefroy.
Sheol, Aberdeen and Lefroy.12 / 12