Elevation gain is 400m (Lake Agnes) and 647m (Big Beehive). As imagined, this is an incredible well maintained and easy to follow trail. The route up to first Mirror Lake then Lake Agnes is a wide dirt path of switchbacks with gentle or moderate incline. Once you hit Mirror Lake there is a split in the path and you can choose to reach the tea house (which you can see from Mirror Lake) by going either direction. We chose to follow the path right which was a steep but relatively short ascent to the tea house. Again it is a wider dirt path that ends with two wooden staircases. Lake Agnes is a quieter scene and gorgeous alpine backdrop.
The way to Big Beehive is to take the trail around Lake Agnes counter clockwise and follow the moderately steep switchbacks up. A little forewarning that some parts of the switchbacks are narrow and if you’re not fond of heights or drops this might make you uneasy. It wasn’t our favourite thing but it was certainly manageable and the lookout more than made it worth it. t the end of the switchbacks you follow the mostly flat trail to the left towards Lake Louise. It is worth it in spades. There are several run off unofficial trails to the right that offer up great views of the lake below. Our favourite spot however was to follow the trail until you reach the gazebo, and then walk slightly past it for a full view of the mountains, village, and lake. From the junction point, there is the option to go up to Devil’s thumb for an utterly amazing view (from what we hear). We didn’t take this option, having enough of scree and scrambles from hiking East End of Rundle the day prior, ha ha. Instead we continued on the trail counter clockwise through a lush forested area that really added to the scenery of this hike! Not to mention being about to see the deep aqua of Lake Louise at a few points. This direction brings you back to Mirror Lake and from there it’s a straight forward descent back to Lake Louise.
