Lake Agnes Tea House facts for kids
The Lake Agnes Tea House is a super popular spot for people who love to hike and explore! It's a special place high up in the mountains where you can enjoy tasty treats and amazing views.
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Where It Is
The Lake Agnes Tea House sits right by the beautiful Lake Agnes. This lake got its name from Lady Agnes MacDonald, who was the wife of Canada's very first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. She visited in 1886 and loved the lake so much that it was named after her!
You can find both Lake Agnes and the tea house in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. They are really high up, about 2,135 meters (7,005 feet) above sea level.
History of the Tea House
The Lake Agnes Tea House was built way back in 1901. The Canadian Pacific Railway built it as a safe place for hikers to rest. It started serving tea in 1905 and is known as one of the oldest tea houses in Canada.
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The first building was made of logs. In 1981, a new building was put up. But don't worry, it still uses some parts from the old one, like the windows, tables, and chairs! The tea house shows how much Canadians love being outdoors and enjoying a good cup of tea.
Visiting the Tea House
The famous Lake Agnes Tea House can only be reached by walking or riding a horse. You follow a path called the Lake Agnes Tea House Trail. The people who work at the tea house carry fresh food up to the building every day! Heavier supplies like flour and sugar are flown in once a year by helicopter.
To get to the tea house, you need to hike about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) through a forest. The path goes uphill quite a bit, about 400 meters (1,300 feet). The trail is easy to follow and many people use it. Make sure to wear good shoes and bring water!
The Lake Agnes Tea House is open from June to October. It closes during the cold winter months.
The Tea House Challenge
Some super keen hikers try the "Tea House Challenge." This means they visit two tea houses in one day! They go to the Lake Agnes Tea House and the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House. These two spots are connected by another trail called the Highline trail.
Together, they form a big loop that is about 14.6 kilometers (9 miles) long. It usually takes about 5 hours to complete this amazing hike.
Beehive Hike Views
If you hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House, you might also want to try the Beehive Hike. This trail is about 10.9 kilometers (6.8 miles) long and is very popular. It offers incredible views!
One hiker, Benjamin Hosch, said the view from the Big Beehive is "totally worth it!" He also mentioned that the trail gets steeper as you go around Lake Agnes.
From the top of the Big Beehive, you can see the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. There's a special spot called "Devils Thumb" that gives you an amazing view. The Little Beehive also offers great sights.
Another hiker, Danielle Pindar, said the views from Devils Thumb are "Best views at the top!" She also noted it's a bit tricky to get up there, but "entirely worth it for the view." She also suggested stopping at the tea house for lunch.
What's on the Menu
The Lake Agnes Tea House has a huge menu! They serve over 100 different kinds of loose leaf tea. You can also get coffee and hot chocolate. These drinks go perfectly with their yummy sweet treats. They have scones with jam, different kinds of loaves, and apple crumble.
They also offer warm soups, like tomato vegetable barley. For something more filling, you can get sandwiches, such as a tuna salad sandwich. They also have snacks like chips, salsa, and homemade hummus.
One visitor, Cynthia Beer, really liked their tuna sandwich. She also said she was impressed by how much effort it takes to run an eatery so high up in the mountains.
Awards and Recognition
The Lake Agnes Tea House is very well-known as a place for tourists to visit. It's super popular with people from Calgary, all over Canada, and even from other countries. It's one of the top-rated attractions in Banff National Park!
People who love tea also give the Lake Agnes Tea House great reviews. A tea blogger named Lu Ann Pannunzio said the tea was "robust black tea and great with a splash of milk."
A tea expert named Mackenzie Bailey said that for hikers who love tea, the Lake Agnes Tea House offers a "genuinely Canadian tea drinking experience." She added that they use glacier-fed water to make their many types of premium loose leaf teas.
The tea house has also been featured in big newspapers like The Toronto Star and Calgary Herald. The government of Alberta also talks about it in their Travel Alberta guides.
Wildlife You Might See
When you hike up to Lake Agnes, you will likely see some cool wildlife. You might spot different kinds of birds and squirrels. Once you reach the Lake Agnes Tea House, you'll probably see many golden-mantled ground squirrels.
These squirrels are used to people and are very curious. They might even come close to you! If they do, make sure to keep an eye on your valuables, like your food or phone.
A visitor named Cera Z mentioned seeing "Nutcracker and magnificent Steller's Jays" at the tea house. She said it was "Nature at its best."
Images for kids
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Clark's Nutcracker
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Steller's Jay
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Golden-mantled ground squirrel begging at the Tea House
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