Weekend photos are back! Moraine Lake, Banff National Park of Canada

- November 01, 2024

I've been away so much I've accumulated photos far faster than I can edit them. But I've made a super effort and have a set of images for you from Moraine Lake and Larch Valley for your viewing pleasure this weekend. I went up there with my brother- and sister-in-law in late September, and we caught the larches turning just about perfectly. As always when I travel with them, I also will direct you to my brother-in-law's web page, Photoseek.com, where you can see the REALLY good photos.

I shared photos from our first stage, in Kananaskis Country, a few weeks ago. Then we moved to Banff NP.

Our first hike after moving HQ to Lake Louise campground was to Larch Valley, out of Moraine Lake. It had rained on us the day before, which meant snow in the even slightly higher country, an exciting prospect for the photographers.

There is no longer any general parking allowed at Moraine Lake, at least during peak seasons (and yes, late September is a peak season, thanks to the larches), so we had reserved seats on the shuttle bus well in advance. You can't get them at the last minute--I saw many disappointed tourists at the visitor's center!

We wanted the sunrise on the Ten Peaks, so caught a bus before 7 a.m.

First pre-sunrise color hitting the peaks as we head out on the shuttle bus.

Since Tom is amazing at planning, we hit the lake just right, and joined hundreds of others on the same mission atop the Rockpile at the foot of Moraine Lake.

I got a random fellow-traveler to take some shots of me with the cell phone, since I'd gotten separated from my own party.

It was definitely cold enough for all that clothing I'm wearing--just a hair below freezing by this time. We were grateful for the people who were willing to get into canoes and go out on the lake in the cold and provide a spot of color for photos!

Canoes for rent--not cheap.

When Tom was satisfied with his photos from the lake, we headed up the trail to Larch Valley and on to the Minnestima Lakes.

Approaching Larch Valley, and our first confirmation that they really were turning color.

The Ten Peaks, Larch Valley

Continuing the climb, we reached barren upper Minnestima Lake, just below Sentinel Pass. We'd all been to the pass before, so stuck with the lakes and the reflections, though I was tempted to go on.

That's not the pass. It's out of sight to the right.

The snow made it easy to see the trail all the way up.

Tom, busy capturing a better photo.

Below the upper lake, and a bit off the main trail, a lower lake offered further cool reflections, even as the breeze picked up some.

Lower Minnestima Lake

Mt. Foy and the Foy Glacier seen over the skim of ice on the lake.

Back to the larches.

We considered extending the hike with various options, but ended up just doing a little stroll along the lakeshore, where my photos didn't do as well as I'd hoped. We ended up with an 8 1/4 mile day, with a 1930' climb and descent. That doesn't count the long walk to the showers when we got back to camp!

The color of Moraine Lake, which is shared by most of the lakes in the area, comes from the "glacial flour" (silt produced as glaciers grind over the rocks) that washes into them. Too fine to settle out quickly, it stays in suspension and reflects the light, turning the lakes various shades from turquoise to deep blue. Stay tuned to see that in action in more lakes!

And don't forget to pre-order your copy of Washed Up With the Tide!