Banff National Park is home to some of the most beautiful mountain lakes. There are fabulous lakes throughout the whole region, starting in the town of Banff and continuing northward passed Lake Louise and the world-famous Icefields Parkway. From the Parkway, you have your pick of great lakes along the 140-mile road, some close to the road while others require a hike. Each one of these lakes could easily be your favorite one. One of the most visited lakes is Bow Lake, about 30 minutes north of Lake Louise. This lake is a magnet for photographers, visitors and tour buses. If you time your visit early enough, you can have the lake mostly to yourself. One of the most photographed scenes is that of the footbridge with the massive Crowfoot Mountain in the background. I decided to take a different approach by standing on the footbridge and looking south, with the lake and the magnificent Canadian Rockies on display.