Although there are many beautiful lakes in the area, Lake Louise and Moraine are two of the most beautiful ones. Lake Louise is the greenish blue lake against the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier and Moraine Lake is the turquoise lake set in front of the Ten Mountain Peaks.
Lake Louise, named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848-1939), is located in Banff National Park about 5 Km from the hamlet of Lake Louise and the Trans Canada Highway. The emerald colour of the water comes from the rock floor carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake.
On the trail to Lake Louise
The eastern shore of the lake is dominated by Chateau Lake Louise, one of Canada’s grand railway hotels, a luxury resort hotel built in the early decades of the 20th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Most people prefer to drive up to Lake Louise but we preferred to hike from our campsite. The beautiful and peaceful trail took us next to the creek, passed the rushing rivers and through the forest to Lake Louise. Lake Louise was indeed scenic and understandably one of the most photographed place but the place was also full tourists from all over the world. We were happy to have visited the place and to have seen the beautiful lake but we would remember more of the peaceful hike than the lake itself.
The trip to Moraine Lake was for me a much anticipated one because I have read so much and seen so many beautiful pictures of this lake. I have to see it with my own eyes!
Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park located about 14 kilometers outside the Village of Lake Louise.
Lake Louise
It is situated in the Valley of Ten Peaks with an elevation of approximately 1,885 m. The lake is being glacially fed and normally reaches it crest some time from mid to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinct shade of blue due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis. We were there at the right time of the year to see the amazing and beautiful turquoise colour of the lake.
After a leisurely breakfast in Moraine Lake Lodge whose architecture embraces the dramatic beauty of Banff National Park, we started our trek on the trail of the Valley of Ten Peaks. The area around the lake offers several hiking trails which are from time to time restricted because of grizzly bear activity.
After the steep ascent through the forest, the trail leveled off such that we were basically walking alongside the ten majestic peaks with the valley separating in between.
Lake Louise with Victoria Glacier in the backdrop
The view was really spectacular! Even though it was in the midst of summer, part of the trail was still covered with patches of snow. By the time we finished our trek and came back down to the Moraine Lake Lodge area, a warning signs for bears was in place, signifying the possibility of bears looming around in the area in the evenings in search of dinner. We had again no luck in the sighting any bears.
