The Beehive
Perched above Lake Louise in Banff National Park, the Big Beehive is a rocky summit reached by a steep but well-marked trail that rewards you with one of the most dramatic elevated views in the Canadian Rockies. From the top, you look straight down onto the brilliant turquoise water of Lake Louise with the Fairmont Chateau and Victoria Glacier framing the far end, creating a composition that is hard to get anywhere else in the park. A wide angle lens works well here to capture the full sweep of the valley, while a telephoto can compress the layers of peaks in the background. Midday light brings out the intense color of the lake, but golden hour from late afternoon gives you warmer tones across the surrounding ridgelines. The trail is strenuous with significant elevation gain, so plan for a half day and go on a weekday to avoid crowds at the summit. (Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada)
