A guide to Moraine Lake history, information, location, parking, and activities at the most photographed lake in Canada.
Moraine Lake is located only 14 kilometres southeast of the village of Lake Louise, in the heart of Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful glacier fed turquoise lakes in the world, amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
At an elevation of 1885 metres (6,183 feet), the crisp mountain air and alpine scenery are almost surreal, like something from a fairy tale.
Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in Canada, and has no shortage of tourists during the busy season from June to October each year. Visitors from around the globe flock to its shores for a variety of activities like photography, hiking, and canoeing, or a simple desire to experience its beauty in person.
A gift store and café are open to the public, while Moraine Lake Lodge offers luxurious accommodation for a special getaway with unique rooms and cabins, all with handcrafted log furnishings and views of the lake. Private parking and fine dining complete the package for an unforgettable Rocky Mountain experience.
History and Development
It is important to acknowledge that before Banff National Park was established in 1885, it was the homeland of Indigenous peoples who had already lived in the Rocky Mountains for millennia. After first contact with Europeans in the 17th century, Indigenous people began to trade with settlers and explorers, and were invaluable as guides with their intimate knowledge of the land.
When Banff was established with a focus on tourism, a shameful policy was developed that moved the Indigenous people out of the parks while simultaneously prohibiting their traditions of hunting and gathering. Thankfully in the past 50 years, Parks Canada reversed this policy and "has sought to build stronger relationships with Indigenous Peoples to ensure more holistic stewardship of the land and celebrate traditional indigenous values." [1]
Walter Wilcox was an American scholar who was enthralled by mountaineering, and was the first white man to summit a number of peaks in the Rockies including Mount Aberdeen, Mount Temple, Observation Peak, and Mount Niblock. Wilcox Pass near the Icefields Parkway was named after him, as he was the first white man to reach Fortress Lake through the route.
Wilcox arrived in Lake Louise in 1893, and was hired by explorer Tom Wilson to explore and map the area. He first spotted Moraine from a distance after his summit of Mount Temple in 1894, although he did not return until 1899. In August of that year, he named the lake 'Moraine' for the pile of rocks that he stood on, and later wrote that the time spent contemplating the view was the "happiest half-hour of his life."
Tom Wilson built a trail to Moraine from Lake Louise the next year, followed by a new road in 1902 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. A teahouse occupied the site as early as 1908, with a newer one built by the CPR in 1912. The following decades saw continued development with sleeping cabins and a lodge, the eventual sale by the CPR to Brewster Transportation in 1959, and other owners up to the present day facilities whose history can be found here.
Getting There
Moraine Lake Road begins near the village of Lake Louise, another world famous alpine lake and tourist destination. Because Moraine's location is within an avalanche risk area, the fourteen kilometre road is closed during the winter from October to May. Therefore, the popularity of Moraine in summer and fall can make access somewhat challenging.
Due to extreme congestion in the last couple of years as Moraine has exploded in popularity, Parks Canada has unfortunately announced a ban on personal vehicles starting in 2023. Access to the lake will only be by Parks Canada Shuttle, Roam Transit, commercial buses and taxis.
The Parks Canada shuttle goes to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, with a connector in between if you wish to visit both lakes in the same day. The Park and Ride shuttle starts at the Lake Louise Ski Area and requires a reservation.
Although Moraine can still be accessed by bike, ski, or snowshoe in the winter months when the road is closed, the long out-and-back trek is usually reserved for experienced backcountry enthusiasts with avalanche training.
The Rockpile
No visit to Moraine Lake is complete without a climb to the top of the famous 'Rockpile', the vantage point where most of the classic photographs of the lake have been taken. This natural moraine (from which the lake derives its name) is an ancient accumulation of rock and debris of unknown origin, although it was most likely carried and deposited by a glacier.
The rockpile is the natural feature that holds the waters of the glacial runoff and creates the lake itself. The lake drains slowly throughout the summer and fall through a narrow outlet creek on the west end of the rockpile before freezing in the winter.
Because of the high elevation, Moraine stays frozen until May or early June when the glaciers begin to melt and refill the lake, usually reaching its peak volume by late June.
The Rockpile Trail is a short 350 metre walk directly from the parking lot requiring a minimum level of fitness. After crossing the walking bridge over the outlet creek, follow the trail along the north side of the rockpile where signs at a junction will lead you up the trail.
A number of stone and wooden steps and switchbacks will lead you to the top, about 80 feet above the lake where there are many areas to stand or sit and take in the amazing view.
The Money Shot
The view of Moraine Lake from the Rockpile is so magnificent, that the Bank of Canada featured it on the back of the twenty dollar bill issued in 1969 and 1979.
Although the bank note evolved with an interesting history, the final image used was actually a painting based on a photograph taken from the collection of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The classic vantage point from atop the Rockpile has since been nicknamed the 'Twenty Dollar View'.
True Blue
Although there are other lakes in the Canadian Rockies and around the world that possess the amazing blue color that Moraine is known for, the striking turquoise hue always shares a common source; the ancient glaciers.
Glacial erosion among mountain peaks high above results in grinding of the bedrock, which produces 'rock flour', or silt-sized particles of rock which are washed into the lake when the glaciers melt in the spring and summer.
This rock flour remains suspended in the water, where the refraction of light on the particles causes the water to appear its distinctive shade of blue. Depending on the volume of the melting snowpack and rainfall, the color will also change in intensity throughout the season.
As the lake is fed by melting glaciers, the one thing that does remain constant in summer is the water temperature; not for the faint-hearted at a chilly 4-5 degrees Celsius.
Activities
Although camping is not permitted, there are a number of hiking trails that can be accessed from Moraine Lake for all levels of fitness. Starting at the canoe launch, the Lakeshore Trail is a flat, out-and-back stroll that meanders in and out of the forest for approximately 2.9 kilometres (return) along the west shoreline. A boardwalk greets you at the far end, where the waters from melting glaciers stream in to the lake.
The Rockpile Trail near the parking lot is by far the most popular hike which most visitors will complete. This trail also shares a junction with the Consolation Lakes Trail, a fairly easy 7.6 kilometre out-and-back that takes you around the east side of Mount Babel to view the small lower and upper Consolation Lakes, with some minor rock scrambling.
For a short window of about two weeks in late September, Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass is an extremely popular hike where visitors come from around the globe to witness the alpine larch trees that change color from green to spectacular hues of golden yellow and orange in the fall.
The trailhead is rated as moderate and is a fairly steep and consistent switchback that starts near the canoe launch. In 45 minutes to an hour, it climbs for three kilometres, with an elevation gain of 380 metres to reach the start of the valley where the trail levels out to a more manageable incline.
This junction point is also the signed trailhead for an optional hike to Eiffel Lake, which is a fairly flat trail that veers left for three kilometres.
Continuing to the right at this junction leads you into Larch Valley, where you can take in the views of the trees and surrounding backdrop of the Ten Peaks, which adds another 1.6 kilometres and 164 metres of slow and easy elevation gain.
Finally, hiking even further along this same trail will take you past lower and upper Minnestima Lakes (which are essentially small tarns) to Sentinel Pass. The top of the pass is an additional 1.5 kilometres past the end of the Larch Valley trail, with a steep switchback elevation gain of 180 metres.
It should be noted that there are a number of other hikes and scrambles in the area, many of which stem from the Larch Valley trail area found on this map. And depending on the time of year, Parks Canada may require that you hike in groups with a minimum of four people as a safeguard against possible bear encounters. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears which love to feed on the wildflowers in the summer.
If hiking is not for you, you may enjoy gliding around the lake in a canoe which are available for rent straight from the lakeshore on a first come, first served basis.
The Moraine Lake Lodge hosts the rentals which are usually open from mid June to mid September, depending on water levels. A one-hour rental includes life jackets, paddles, and basic instructions for one to three people. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the canoes.
The canoes are a unique experience, offering a different vantage point to enjoy the views as you paddle the length of the lake on your self-guided tour of the shorelines and surrounding peaks.
A Worthy Destination
Because personal vehicles are no longer allowed on the road to Moraine Lake starting in 2023, be sure to plan ahead and book a reservation on the Park and Ride at the Lake Louise Ski Area so you will be guaranteed to see this stunning vista for yourself, which will include a free lake connector shuttle to visit Lake Louise in the same day.
If you plan on hiking, it is always wise to check ahead with Parks Canada for current trail conditions, as trail restrictions and closures do happen on occasion due to bear activity.
The Canadian Rockies are home to breathtaking National Parks, with Banff alone receiving over four million visitors per year. With endless opportunities to explore its spectacular scenery, there is no shortage of activities for everyone, young and old.
And the trip is not complete without a visit to Moraine Lake, one of the most beautiful alpine gems in the world.
Bibliography
1. Banff and Lake Louise Tourism. "History and Heritage." www.banfflakelouise.com
