Tips And Information For Moraine Lake - BanffandBeyond

Moraine Lake is only half the size of its nearby neighbour Lake Louise, but perhaps even more scenic. It's situated at an elevation of 1883 ... SkiptoprimarynavigationSkiptomaincontentSkiptoprimarysidebar Update:AsofJune6ththeroadtoMoraineLakeisofficiallyopenforthe2022season.  MoraineLakeisonlyhalfthesizeofitsnearbyneighbourLakeLouise,butperhapsevenmorescenic.It’ssituatedatanelevationof1883metersinthebeautifulValleyOfTheTenPeaksinBanffNationalPark.Thisglacier-fedlakebecomesthemostintenseandvividshadeofturquoiseblue.Thesettingofthesurroundingmajesticmountainpeaksmakesthescenealmostsurreal. Rentacanoeortryoneofthetrailsintheareathatrangefromcasualwalkstomorestrenuoushikes.Orjustsitandtakeinthebeautyofthelake.   WhenDoesTheRoadToMoraineLakeOpenAndClose? Thedrawbacktothisbeautifullakeisthatit’saccessroadisonlyopentovehiclesforpartoftheyear.Itcrossesthroughanareaofhighavalancherisk,forsafetyitisclosedtoallvehicletrafficthroughthewinterandearlyspring.ParksCanadaopenstheroadwhentheriskofavalanchehaspassed.ThisisusuallyinlateMay.TheroadisclosedfortheseasonaftertheCanadianThanksgivingholiday(thesecondMondayinOctober). Thetimingforopeningandclosingtheroadcanbesubjecttochangedependingontheconditions.Oncetheroadisclosedforthewinterseasonthereisnowaytoaccessthelakebyvehicle. WhenIsTheBestTimeToVisitMoraineLake? WhentheroadopensinMaydon’tcountonseeingtheturquoisewaterthatMoraineLakeisfamousfor.DuetothelakeshighelevationitcanremainfrozenuntillateMayorintoearlyJunedependingonthetemperatures.Whenitfirstthawsthewaterlevelisverylow.Asthetemperatureswarmuptheglaciermeltfromabovethelakestartstofeedintoit.ThelakewaterlevelcrestsinmidtolateJuneandfromthistimethroughSeptemberisit’speakofbluecolour. TheweeksofOctoberleadinguptotheroadclosureareastillagreattimetovisitbutthecolourofthewatermaynotbeasintenseatthistime. ThephotosbelowweretakenindifferentyearsjustshortlyaftertheroadtoMoraineLakewasopenedfortheseasoninmidtolateMay.Thesettingisstillundeniablebeautiful,butit’stooearlytoseethestunningcolouroftheglacierwater.   HowDoesTheWaterOfMoraineLakeGetToBeSoBlue? Whenthemeltwaterfromtheglacierupabovestartstoflowintothelakeitbringswithitglacialsilt,alsoreferredtoasrockflour.Thesiltparticlesaresofinethattheyaresuspendedinthemeltwater.It’sthelightreflectingoffthesiltthatgivesthelaketheintensebluecolour. ThetwophotosbelowwereeachtakeninearlyOctoberindifferentyears.Asyoucanseetheweatherandviewscanbequitedifferent.   TheTwentyDollarView It’smorelikeamilliondollarview,buttheiconicimageofMoraineLakeandtheValleyOfTheTenPeakswasusedonthebackofCanadiantwentydollarbillsissuedbetween1969and1979.Thebeautifuldeepbluewaterwithabackdropoftoweringsnow-cappedmountainsisoneofthemostphotographedspotsintheCanadianRockiesandpossiblyinallofCanada. TheRockpileTrailOffersTheBestViewOfMoraineLake TheRockpiletrailswitchbacksalongthebackofthemorainewithseveralsetsofstonesteps.Itbringsyoutothetopoftherockmorainewheretherearefantasticviewsoverlookingthelake. Asyoumakeyourwayalongthetrailwatchforpikas,marmots,squirrels,chipmunksandvarietyofbirdsthatarefrequentlyspottedinthearea. Youwon’tbedisappointedwiththeviews.Keepworkingyourwayuptothehighestviewpointlevelstogetdifferentvantagepoints. Trailhead–Startsfromthelowerendoftheparkinglotacrossthebridgeontheoutletstream. Distance–350meters Elevation–30meters Time–40minutesreturntrip MoraineLakeshoreTrailWillLeaveTheCrowdsBehind,EvenOnBusyDays Startingnearthecanoedocksthereisafairlyflattrailthatworksitswayalongtheshorelinetothebackofthelake.Asthetrailweavesinandoutofthetreesitoffersglimpsesofthewaterandmountains. OnlyadentofthecrowdswillventureontotheLakeshoretrailandevenfewerstillwillgothefulldistanceofit.AboardwalkislocatedattheendofthelakewhereastreamofrushingwaterflowsfromtheWenkchemna.It’satotalof2.9km’s,returningbackonthesametrail.Allowapproximately45minutes. OtherTrailsAtMoraineLakeAndSeasonalTravelRestrictions DuetobearactivitysomeofthetrailsaccessednearMoraineLakehaveseasonalrestrictionstomaximizesafety.Duringthesetimesitismandatorythathikerstravelinatightgroupoffourormore.Occasionallytrailsmaybeclosedoffcompletely.ItisalwaysbesttocheckaheadwithParksCanadaforthecurrenttrailconditions.InformationandamapoftheMoraineLakeGroupAccessareacanbefoundhere:BearManagementMoraineLakeGroupAccessRestrictions TheMoraineLakeshoreTrailbranchesofftohikesto SentinelPassandLarchValleyTrails andto WenkchemnaPassAndEiffelLake. MoraineLakeLodgeAccommodation MoraineLakeLodgeistheonlyaccommodationatthelake.Consideringit’saluxuryresortsittingmetersfromthewaterthenightlyratesareatapremium.Ifyourbudgetallowsastayyoucantakeadvantageofenjoyingthelakeatanytimewithouthavingthefrustrationsofgettingaparkingspot.Simplystrolloutofyourroomtowitnessthesunriseorenjoythelakelaterintheeveningwhenmostofthetouristshaveleftthearea.ThelodgeisopenfromearlyJunetoearlyOctober.Theamenitiesincludeagiftshopandarestaurant. Belowisaviewfromthetopoftherockpiletraillookingatthelakeshore.OntherightyoucanseetheMoraineLakeLodgeaccommodations. AccommodationsNearMoraineLake AsmentionedabovethereisonlyoneaccommodationatMoraineLake.Thenextclosestoptionsareapproximately12to14km’sfromMoraineLakeandveryclosetoLakeLouise.TogettothesepropertiesyoucontinueheadinguphillonLakeLouiseDrivepasttheturnofftoMoraineLakeandtowardsLakeLouise. TheFairmontChateauLakeLouise(locatedatLakeLouise) DeerLodge(5minuteswalkingdistancefromLakeLouise,lessthan1km) ParadiseLodgeandBungalows(2.5km’sfromLakeLouise) TherearealsoaccommodationoptionsinthevillageofLakeLouisethatareapproximately14km’sfromMoraineLake.ThereareavarietyofpricerangeswiththelowestbeingtheHIHostelLakeLouisetotheluxuryPostHotelandSpa. MoraineLakeCanoeRentals Thedockhoursare9:30amto5pmfrommid-Junetomid-September.Rentalscostsstartat$115CADpercanoeforahourhourrental.It’sbesttocheckhoursandpricesdirectlywiththeMoraineLakelodgeastheyaresubjecttochange.Paddles,lifejacketsandbasicinstructionareprovided.Thecanoesavailablecanaccommodatetwoorthreepeople.Reservationsarenotaccepted,thecanoesavailableonafirst-come,firstservedbasis.GuestsoftheMoraineLakeLodgetakepriority. Theoperationofthecanoedockisweatherdependent.Itcanshutdownwithoutnoticeduetoinclementweathersuchassnow,rainorstrongwinds. CanIBringMyOwnPrivateCanoeOrKayakToMoraineLake? Yes,youcanbringyourowncanoeorkayaktoMoraineLakeoranyofthelakesorriverswithinBanffNationalPark.There’snopublicboatlaunchatMoraineLake, youwillhavetolaunchfromtheshore.ParksCanadaoffersmoreinformationhere: Paddlingintheparks. IsItPossibleToVisitBothMoraineLakeAndLakeLouiseInTheSameDay? Absolutely,thesetwobeautifulattractionsarejusta15minutedriveapart.BothLakesareaccessedfromLakeLouiseDrive.Seethedirectionsbeloworkeepreadingfurtherforbusandshuttleoptionsthatareavailabletogetyoutobothlakes. DirectionsToMoraineLake FromtheLakeLouiseVillagelocatedoffTransCanadaHwy#1followLakeLouisedriveuphillforapproximately3km’s.LookfortheturnonthelefthandsideforMoraineLakeRoad.Followthewindingroadfor11km’stotheparkingareaattheend.IfyoukeepgoingpasttheturnofftoMoraineLakeRoadandcontinueupLakeLouiseDriveyouwillreachtheparkingareaforLakeLouisewithinafewminutes. TipsForAvoidingTheSummerCrowds,TrafficAndParkingChaos ThebeautifulsettingofMoraineLakecontinuestoincreaseinpopularity.TheparkingisverylimitedandinrecentyearsthetrafficvolumehasbecomesohighthatParksCanadahasimplementedrestrictions.FromlateMaytoOctobertrafficcontrolisinplace24hoursaday.VehicleswillonlybegrantedaccesstoMoraineLakeRoadifparkingisavailable.Ifthelotisfullyouwillbeturnedawayatthebeginningoftheroad.Ifyouaresetondrivingtothelakeyourselfbepreparedgetthereveryearly.InthesummermonthsandthroughSeptembertheparkinglotcanbefullby5:30am.Youcantakeachancethatitwillbequieterintheeveningafter6pmor7pm.Throughouttherestofthedayit’sagameofchancetoarriveatgatewiththehopethatsomeonehasjustleftandcreatedafreeparkingspot.  Althoughthelakeisbusyallthroughoutthetouristseasonit’sworthnotingtheholidaysbelowwhentherewillbeevenlargervolumesofvisitors. VictoriaDaylongweekend–thefirstMondayofMay. CanadaDay–July1andtheentireweekendiftheholidayfallsonadaythatcreatesathreedayweekend. HeritageDayWeekend–thefirstMondayinAugust. LabourDayWeekend–thefirstMondayinSeptember. TheLarchhikingseasonisanothercrowdedtimeatMoraineLake.ThisiswhenthetreesintheLarchValleyareshowingofftheirgoldencolouredneedles.Thepeakofthecoloursusuallyoccurinthe2ndand3rdweekofSeptemberandcancontinuetoretainsomecolourthroughtheendofthemonth.Localscomefromallaroundtheareatohikeanditsbecomeverypopularwithvisitorsaswell.ExpectthesurroundingtrailsthatareaccessedfromtheMoraineLakeareatobeextrabusyatthistime.Youcantrytoavoidsomeofthecrowdsbyplanningyourhikeformid-week. ThephotobelowshowsthesmallparkingareaforMoraineLake.Thereareapproximately150parkingspots.    MoraineLakePublicTransportationandSeasonalShuttleInformation ParksCanadaMoraineLakeSummerSeasonShuttleBus TohelpalleviatetrafficcongestionParksCanadaoffersaparkandrideshuttleservicetoMoraineLake.TheshuttlestartsfromtheParkandRidelotwhichhasbeenrelocatedfromtheTransCanadaHighwaytotheLakeLouiseSkiResorton#1WhitehornRoad.  IfyouarestayingataccommodationinthevillageofLakeLouiseoratthecampgroundwithavehicleyouareencouragedtoleaveyourvehicleatyouraccommodationandtakethefreeParkandRideconnectorbustotheshuttleareaattheskiresort.ThereisnoreservationrequiredfortheParkandRideconnector.  Anadvanceseatreservationmustbemade,thereisnowalkupseatingavailable.Ifyouwerenotabletobookshuttleticketsinadvancetherearealimitednumberofspacesheldbackforlastminutereservations.Theyarereleasedonarollingbasis48hourspriortodeparture.  AconnectorshuttlealsorunsbetweenMoraineLakeandLakeLouise.Accesstothisshuttleisincludedwithyourreservationsothatyoucanvisitbothlakes.It’soperatedonafirstcome,firstservedbasis.Moreinformationcanbefoundhere: LakeLouise–MoraineLakeShuttlesandhere:Banff/LakeLouise/MoraineLakeSummerShuttle HopOnHopOffShuttle FromlateMaytotheendofSeptembertheHopOnBanffcompanyhasashuttlebusthatoffersoptionsforaccessingMoraineLake,LakeLouise,theLakeLouiseVillage,LakeLouiseGondolaandJohnstonCanyon.Schedules,faresandinformationcanbefoundhere.HopOnBanff MountainParkTransportationPrivateShuttleToMoraineLake MountainParkTransportationoffersashuttletoMoraineLakewithbookingsavailableafterMay31stofeachyear.Pre-bookingisamustifyouwanttohaveaspotontheshuttle,otherwiseyoucantakeyourchanceswithaspotbeingavailableonafirstcome,firstservedbasis.TheshuttledoespickupsanddropsoffsatthevarioushotelsinLakeLouiseandatWilson’sSportslocatedintheSamsonMallintheLakeLouisevillage.Thecostis$25perperson,roundtripincludingtaxes.Moreinformationcanbefoundhere:MountainParkTransportationMoraineLakeShuttle  BookingAPrivateTaxiServiceToMoraineLake  Thereareafewcompaniesthatoffertaxiandshuttleservicesthatcanbebookedforprivatetours.Foroneortwopeoplethisisnotaneconomicaloption.However,itmaybeworththepriceforasmallgroupofpeople.Taxiservicesintheareacanbefoundhere: Banff/LakeLouiseShuttlesandTaxis  PrivateTourCompaniesOfferingVisitsToMoraineLake PrivatetourcompaniesofferexcursionstoMoraineLake.  BanffPublicRoamBus–MoraineLakeExpress(fallservice) ThepublicBanffRoambusextendsitsservicetoMoraineLakefortheLarchValleyFallhikingseason.TherearedailyshuttlesfromBanffthatrundirectlytoMoraineLakefromthe3rdweekofSeptembertomid-October.Schedulesandfaresareavailablehere:RoamBusMoraineLake BookingATourToMoraineLake AnotheroptionistovisitMoraineLakeaspartofatour.Thiswayyoucansitbackandletsomeoneelsetakecareofallthedetails.Manytoursofferabitofnarrationabouttheareaandit’shistory.andgetabitofnarrationaboutthearea. Someofthecompaniesthatofferpre-organizedandcustomizedprivatetourstoMoraineLakecanbefoundbelow: DiscoverBanffTours  BanffAdventures  Radventures DoesTheRoadToMoraineLakeOpenAndClose? Thedrawbacktothisbeautifullakeisthatduetoitshighelevationitreceivesheavysnowfallandthesettingispronetohighavalancherisks.Forsafetytheroadisclosedtoallvehicletrafficduringthewinter.TheroadopensinlateMayandclosesontheTuesdayaftertheCanadianThanksgivingholiday(thesecondMondayinOctober). Thedatesforopeningandclosingtheroadcanbesubjecttochangedependingontheconditions.Oncetheroadisclosedforthewinterseasonthereisnowaytoaccessthelakebyvehicle. BicyclingToMoraineLake Ifyouattempttobiketheroadwhenitisopentovehicletrafficextremecautionisneededonthisnarrowroad.Therearealternativetrailrideoptionstogettothelake.Moreinformationforroadandtrailridingcanbefoundhere: BikingintheLakeLouisearea InsomeyearstheroadtoMoraineLakeisstillfreeofsnowforashortperiodafterbeingclosedforthewinterseason.IfyouchoosetorideabiketothelakeatthistimecheckfirstwithParksCanadaforthemostcurrentroadandavalancheconditions.   IsThereAnyWayToGetToMoraineLakeDuringTheWinterRoadClosure? ThisisthemostfrequentquestionwegetaboutMoraineLake.Toclarifytherearenovehiclesofanykindpermittedontheroadonceitisclosedfortheseason.Therearenotourcompanies,shuttles,dogsledsoranyothertypeoftransportthatisavailabletogettothelake.Theroadisclosedforgoodreason.There’sanextremeavalancheriskonthelastfewkilometersnearthelake.Visitorsaresoeagertoseethelaketheycontemplatewalkingthroughthedeepsnoworattemptingtosnowshoe.It’snotrecommend.Notonlywouldyoubecrossingthroughhazardousavalancheterrainitwouldbeanexhaustingreturndistanceof22km’s.Ifyouareacrosscountryskieryoucanenjoythetracksthataresetonthefirsthalfoftheroad.Seebelowformoreinformationaboutskiing. MoraineLakeRoadCrossCountrySkiing Inthewintertheroadbecomesapopularspotforcrosscountryskiing.Oncethere’senoughsnowParksCanadasetstracks,buttheyendattheviewpointfortheConsolationValleyandtheTenPeakswhichiswellbeforeyoureachMoraineLake.Thetotaldistanceis15.6kmreturn.Thetrailhasasteadyclimbwithgentlerollingandhillystretches.It’sratedaseasy/novice. Goingpastthetracksetstheroadcrosseslargeavalanchechutesandisnotrecommended.Anyoneattemptingtogopasttheendofthegroomingshouldbeequippedandtrainedinavalancherescueandfirstaid.ThereisahighavalancheriskfromNovembertolateApril. ReaderInteractionsComments Thankyousomuchforthisinformitavepost!Ijustwantedtoask,whatarethecanoerentaltimesatMoraineLake?AndcanIbookinadvanceorisitfirstcomefirstserve? Reply Therateshaveapparentlygoneupto$50anhour.Thedockisopen10amto6pm.Idon’tbelievetheytakeanyreservations,it’sfirstcomefirstserve. Reply Isitpossibletorentkayaks(asopposedtocanoes)oneitherMoraineLakeorLakeLouise?Thankyou!!! Reply Bothlakesonlyhavecanoerentals,unlesstheyhavemadearecentchange. Reply Justwanttothankyouforthisfabulouswebsite!IthelpedmeplanourtriptoBNPinlateJune.WestayedattheMoraineLakeLodgeandtookacoupledaystodrivetheIcefieldsParkway.Wedidthetwoteahousehikes,ConsolationLakes,andtheLakeLouiseandMoraineLakelakewalkhikes.Itwasanincredibleexperienceandyourwebsitewassohelpfulinplanning. Reply Thankyou,we’regladoursitehelpedyouout.Soundslikeyouhadawonderfultripandgottoexperiencealotofthewonderfulsightsintheparks. Reply HelloAudrey, Iwascuriouswhatcanoe/kayakrentalpricesareatlakelouise. HaveyoueverhadtousebearsprayinyouryearsinCanada? Whereisthebestplacetoeatinthearea? Iscarcampingpermitted? Thanksabunch, Stephanie Reply YoucanfindratesandinfoforcanoerentalsatLakeLouiseonoursitehere:http://banffandbeyond.com/canoeing-on-the-turquoise-waters-of-lake-louise/ No,wehaveneverhadtousebearsprayandwehopetoneverbeinasituationwherewehaveto!WehavepostsforourfavouriteplacestoeatinBanffandLakeLouiseifyoutakealookthroughthosesections.CampingisonlypermittedindesignatedareasintheNationalParks,thereisnofreecampingintheparksifthatiswhatyouareasking.Isupposeyoucanpaytoparkyourcarinatentspotandcampifyouwish. Cheers Reply HiAudrey, Yoursiteismorethanhelpful.Thankyousomuch!I’vebeentoLakeLouiseandBanffnumeroustimesinthewinter,butneverinthesummermonths. IjustwantedtogetyouropiniononcomingthisyearfromSeptember24th-28thandifyouthoughtitwasjustalittlebittoolatetocome?Thetop3onmylistareLakeLouise,PeytoLakeandLakeMoraine.TheonlyoneI’mworriedaboutisLakeMoraine,butitseemsit’sUSUALLYOctober?butIwanttobesafe. IfyouhadtopickbetweenLouiseandMorainetocanoeon,whichwouldyougowith? Also,doyouthinkwecoulddotwoofthoselakesinoneday? Thankssomuchforyourtime! Reply Notsurewhatyoumeanbyisittoolate?IfyouwanttoexperiencethemountaininssummerthenyesSeptember24to28thisfartoolate.It’ssupposedtostayabitwarmeranddrierforintothefallthisyear,butthemountainsaretotallyunpredictablesoyouneverknowwhatmighthappen.TheIcefieldsParkwayjustcaughtabunchofpeopleoffguardwithasnowfallonAugust15th.ThehigherelevationmountainsaroundBanffgotsomeaswell. TheroadtoMoraineLakestaysopenusuallyuntilmid-Octoberbutitalldependsontheweatherconditions.BothMoraineandLakeLouisearenicetocanoeon,it’sreallypersonalpreference,takealookatphotosofbothlakesandseewhatappealstoyoumost.MoraineLakegenerallyhaslesspeople,especiallybytheendofSeptember.There’snoguaranteethecanoeswillstillbeoperatingbytheendofSeptemberoneitherlake.Ifitgetscoldernotmanypeoplewanttobeoutonthewater,sotheyshuttheboathousedown.Youcandefinitelygototwolakesinoneday,itdependsonwhatyouwanttodothere.Youcanspendhalfanhourorseveralhoursateach.MoraineandLakeLouiseareaonlya10minutedriveapart,andPeytoLakeisabout40minutesaway. Reply HiAudrey, Thankyousomuchforyourresponse. IwasjustafraidthatlateinSeptemberwouldbetooclosetotheendoftheseasonthatwemightmissoutonthecanoeingandotheractivities,likeyouhadmentioned. Thankyouforyourhelp!Iappreciateitverymuch. Reply Hello:) Iamsogladtoseeallofbeautifulpicturesyouhavetakenandgethelpfulinformationfromthiswebsite. IamplanningtovisitBanffnationalparkfromNovember25thto29th,Arethelakemoraineandothersightseeingplacescompletelyclosed?Iflikelyso,isitnotthebestideatovisittheparkduringthattimeifthereisnothingthatwecanreallysee? Reply TheroadtoMoraineLakeclosesfortheseasondototheriskofavalanche.There’sstillthingstosee,butyouhavetobeokaywithdrivinginwinterconditionsandcheckthestatusofsomeroadsbeforedrivingonthemsuchastheIcefieldsParkway.It’snotthesameasvisitinginthenon-wintermonths,youwon’tbeabletoseeallthesameplaces.ForinstancePeytoLake,thetrailwouldbecoveredinsnow.Itmightbepackeddownifothershavehikeduptotheviewingplatform,oritmightbeeasiertoaccessitwithsnowshoes.Youmightbebetterofftovisitoneweeklaterifyouareinterestedindoingwinteractvities.Mostdon’tstartupuntilthefirstweekofDecember,suchasskatingonLakeLouiseorhorsedrawnsleighrides,etc. Reply Yourwebsiteissohelpful,thanks!WeareplanningtovisitinearlySeptember.MyquestioniswhetheritissafetoarriveattheLakealonejustbeforesunrisetotakepictures. Reply I’veeditedmyfirstreply,IwasgettingmixedupandthinkingyouwereaskingaboutLakeLouise.Asfarasbearsit’salwaysbesttofollowbearsafetypracticessuchasmakingloudnoisesasyouhike.Ifyou’regoingtobealoneIwouldcarrybearsprayasanextraprecaution,evenifitisjustontherockpiletrail.It’susuallyonthetrailsgoingfurtherintotheareasbeyondMoraineLakethatbearsaremorelikelytobepresent,butyouneverknowwheretheymightdecidetobe. Reply Thanksforyourreply!Justcheckingback.Iwasmostlythinkingaboutbears.Iamnotplanningtoventureintothetrailbutmaythinkaboutgettingupontherocksforthetwentydollarview. Reply DearAudrey, Firstofallyourwebsiteisabsolutelyamazingandsoarethepictures!!ImplanningongoingtoBanffaroundchristmasthisyearwithafriend.We’renotferventhikersbutwe’resportysoithinkwe’llbeallright.Iwasjustwonderingwhichplacesareopenduringthattimeandhowwecangetthere?Alsolookingforanaccomododationisquitehardsincewedon’tknowwheretogoexactly!Ifyouhaveanysuggestionsthatwouldbefantastic! Thankyouinadvance! Kindregards, Micha Reply Youwillneedtocheckontrailconditionsrightbeforeyoudecidetodoanyhiking,theconditionscanchangedaily.IalwaysrecommendstoppinginattheinformationcenteronBanffAvenueandtalktothehelpfulstaff,theywillletyouknowwhatoptionsareavailableaccordingtoyourhikingabilitiesandwhattrailsaresafe.Unlessyouarepreparedforfullwinterhikingyou’llneedtosticktothelowestelevationtrailsliketheonesclosetotheBanfftownsite. Reply HiAudrey, WeareacouplefromAustraliavisitingtheareainlateJanuary. WewouldliketostayatLakeLouise,butwouldsomehowliketovisitLakeMoraine.Isitpossibletogetdogsledtourstohelpusreachthedestination,andcouldweimaginethesitetostillbepicturesque? Whatwouldyouadvisewouldbeourbestbet? Manythanks! Joss Reply Unfortunatelytherearenodogsledoptionstogettothelake,notransportisofferedduetotheextremeavalancherisksonthelastfewkm’sclosesttothelake.Thisiswhytheroadisclosed.Youcancrosscountryskionthesettracksfortotalreturndistanceof15.6km’s,thosetracksendattheviewpointfortheConsolationValleyandtheTenPeaks,beyondthatiswheretheroadcrossestheavalanchechutes. Reply LookingintoanearlysummertripweekandhalflongtriptoCanada,withMoraineLakebeinga4-5Daystop…FlyinginfromKuwaittoCalgary.WhatmethodoftransportationisthebestfromCalgary?Shouldwerentacar?oristherebusservicetothelake? Reply ThereareshuttleoptionsfromtheCalgaryairport,butit’sgoingtotakeyouseveralstepsoftransporttogettoMoraineLake.That’snotaplaceyouwanttobestayingwithoutavehicle.It’soutinanisolatedarea.ThereisashuttlethatrunsduringthepeakofsummertogetvisitorsbackandforthfromLakeLouisetoMoraineLakeandfromthevillageofLakeLouisetoMoraineLake,thatwe’vetalkedaboutinthepostifyoureaddownnearthebottom.Youwouldbefindingitverytimeconsuminganddifficulttogetaroundtoseeotherplaces.YouaregoingtowanttoconsiderstayingsomewhereelseorrentingavehicleifyouchoosetostayatMoraineLake. We’vewrittenadetailedpostaboutthevariouspublictransportationintheRockyMountains:http://banffandbeyond.com/how-to-get-around-the-rocky-mountains-without-a-vehicle/ Cheers Reply HiAudrey, Thanksforthewonderfulwebsite. 1)WhatwillbebesttimetovisitBanff/LL/Jasperarea?(Mid/endJuneorlateSeptember)?? a)ToseeturquoisewaterintheLake. b)ToseesnowcappedMountains. c)Toseescenicbeauty. 2)WhatwillbethetemperatureinJune15-22)andSeptember–(20-27).in LL/Jasper/Banff. 3)AutumnismyattractiontovisitRockiesinLateSeptember,sowhatwillbemostsuitabledaysofSeptembertovisitaboveareas. Thanks, Regards. Reply It’snotpossibletoanswerwhattimeisbesttovisit,mid/endJuneorlateSeptemberorwhatisthebesttimetoseethescenicbeauty.Itisbeautifulallyearround,itdependsonwhatyouwantoutofyourtrip.Bylookingatyourlistyourtryingtoseethingsthatarehappeningatdifferenttimesinthemountains,you’llneedtodecidewhatyourpriorityis.We’vewrittendetailedpostsaboutwhateachseasonoftheyearintheparksthatwillanswerallyourquestions.Thenyoucanchoosewhichtimeofyearappealstoyouthemost.YoucangoogleaveragetemperaturesforJuneandSeptember,butthere’snowaytonarrowdownwhatatemperaturewillbeforaspecificweek.Temperaturescanbealloverthemapinthemountains,theyareveryunpredictableasyoucanseehere:http://banffandbeyond.com/sometimes-mother-nature-forgets-its-summer-in-the-rocky-mountains/ http://banffandbeyond.com/category/banff-lake-louise/banff/ http://banffandbeyond.com/when-do-the-rocky-mountain-lakes-thaw-and-get-their-beautiful-turquoise-colour/ http://banffandbeyond.com/a-taste-of-the-fall-season-in-banff-national-park/ Cheers Reply Hi, Isbackpackingallowedintheareassurroundinglakemoraine? Thanks!! Reply YoucandownloadthebackcountryguideforBanffNationalparkfromhere:http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonee-backpacking.aspx Ithastheareasmarkedwherebackcountrycampingisallowedinthepark.IthinkyouareallowedinpartsofParadiseValley,butkeepinmindwhentheseasonalgroupaccessrestrictionsareputinplaceseachsummerthebackcountrycampsiteinthatareaiscloseddown.TherestrictionsstartsometimeinJulyusuallytoearlyOctober,butitchangeseachyeardependingonwhenbearsareinthearea.There’salinktotherestrictedgroupaccessinourpostabove. Cheers Reply Sincewehadsuchamildwinterandearlyspring,Iamwonderingiftheroadtothelakeisopenabitearlier? Reply IftheroadtoMoraineLakeopensearlierit’smaybebyafewdaysorweekatmost.Theoppositeeffectcouldoccurduetothewarmweatherandactuallyincreaseavalancerisk.Aswitheveryyearwejusthavetowaitandsee.ParksCanadawillopenitwhentheydeemitsafe. Reply Hi, Loveyourwebsite,it’sthemostusefulresourceinplanningourRockiesholiday.Doyouhaveanyideaiftheshuttleoptionswillbeavailablethisyearaswell?(we’regoinginSeptember) Reply Ican’tsayforsure,butitseemstheyarebeingofferedeachyearnowtohelpwiththelimitedparkingatMoraineLakeandkeepthetrafficvolumedown. Reply HI, ThankyouforallthehelpfulinformationaboutMoraineLake.Onequestionihaveisforthecanoerental,arethecanoesonlygoodfor2people?Iwashopingtorentacanoebutfor3people(3youngadults). Reply IamnotsureaboutthecanoesatMoraineLake,theonesatLakeLouiseareallowed3adults.IfyousendanemailtoMoraineLakeLodgeI’msuretheywillconfirmiftheircanoesarethesame. Cheers Reply HiAmy,thankyousomuchfordetips! Doweneedtopaytoparkinthelakes?Doyouthinkitspossibletovisitbothslakes(MoraineandLouise)inthesameday? Thanksagain Reply YoudonotpaytoparkatMoraineLakeparkinglotorattheparkinglotforLakeLouise.Youdoneedtohaveavalidparkpassdisplayedonyourvehicle.MoraineLakeandLakeLouiseareonly15minutesapartsoyoucaneasilyvisitbothinoneday. Reply HiAudrey Lovingyourphotos!!! ComingthroughtheLakeLouiseareaJuly25.ExcitedtoseeMorraineLake.Weareinalargemotorhome.Iunderstandthere’stourbusparkingavailabledoyouthinkitcanalsoaccommodateourrig?Alsocanyourecommendanywheretocampnearthere,thanks. Reply ThereisparkingatLakeLouiseandMoraineLakeparkinglotsforRV’s.KeepinmindasbigastheparkinglotisforLakeLouiseisdoesfillupduringthesummermonthsandMoraineLakeparkingisverylimitedincomparison.You’llwanttogetthereasearlyinthedayaspossibleortrylaterintheevening.There’sacampgroundinthevillageofLakeLouise.Ithinkthatoneisreservation,solikelybooked.ThenextclosestwouldbeMosquitoCreekdowntheIcefieldsParkway,firstcome/firstserved.Otherwisethere’scampingfurthereasttowardsthetownsiteofBanff. Reply Wearelookingforlake-sidecabinatanyofthelakesintheBanffareainearlyJuly.Reallywantseclusion,agreatview,andtheabilitytocanoe/fishinthelake.Anyrecommendations? Reply TheaccommodationsatMoraineLakeisgoingtobeoneofthefewplacesatalake,butyouwillbesharingthelakewithtonsofothervisitorsduringthedayinJulysonotsurethatmeetsthedefinitionofseclusion.There’snotreallyanyotherlakeaccommodationinBanffotherthanthelargeChateauhotelatLakeLouise.LakeLouiseandMoraineLakearetheonlyplaceswhereyoucanrentacanoerightatalakeinBanff.OtherwiseyouwouldhavetorentacanoefromoneofthecompaniesinthetownofBanffandtakeittoalakesyourself.TheonlyotheraccommodationatalakeinBanffNationalParkthatIcanthinkofisNum-Ti-JahLodgeatBowLake.InJasperNationalParkthereisPyramidLakeResortandPatricaLakeBungalows.ThelocationofwhereaccommodationcanbebuiltisrestrictedbyParksCanada.MostofitislocatedwithinthetownsiteofBanffandthevillageofLakeLouise,there’sonlyahandfulofotherplacesaroundthepark. Reply Hiya, IamgoingtoCanadaforafewweeksinSeptemberthisyear,andamplanningonstayinginCalgaryfor4nightsbutamlookingatvisiting,Banff,LakeLouise&LakeMorainewhilstwearethere,haveyouanyrecommendationsforgoodpublictransport(can’tdriveinCanadaunfortunately!)toLakeMorainefromCalgary/Banffarea?Ihavelookedatcoachesbuttheyarequiteexpensive🙁Anyhelpwouldbegreatlyappreciated,butnoworriesifnot. Thankyouverymuch, Ami P.Sthephoto’sarestunning. Reply There’snotgoingtooneformoftransportationthatwillgetyoufromCalgarytoMoraineLake,unlessyoufindandbookatourthatdoesso.DependingonwhenyouvisitinSeptembertherearetheshuttlestoMoraineLakeasmentionedinthearticle.YouwouldhavetofirstgettransportationtoeitherthevillageofLakeLouiseorthelakeitselfandthenuseoneofthoseshuttleoptions.Ourposthere:http://banffandbeyond.com/how-to-get-around-the-rocky-mountains-without-a-vehicle/willgiveyouoptionsofhowtogetfromCalgarytoLakeLouiseandtheBanfftownsiteareawiththeavailabletransportationoptions. Reply Hi, IbookedatriptoBanffJune29toJuly4.Iamhopingtovisitlakelouiseandmorainelakeanddrivetheicefieldsparkwaytojasperandback.IalsowanttohikemountjimmySimpson.I’mstayingatthelakelouisealpinecentreonvillageroad.doyoubelieveIcanaccomplishallofthisinroughly4days?Iseethebestchancesofparkingatmorainelakeareearlyinthemorning.wouldyousuggestgettingthereat8amorearlier?alsoifyoucouldprovidemewithanyinformationonhowtorentakayakonceI’matMorainelakethatwouldbeappreciated.plusIwanttodotherockpiletrailtogetpicsofthelakeisthateasytoidentifythetrail?plusanyothersitesImustseeoranyotherpopularhikes? Reply KeepinmindyouarevisitingoveroneofthebusiestholidayweekendsintheRockyMountains,CanadaDay.Expectlargecrowdsandlotsoftraffic.FourdaysiscertainlyenoughtimetovisitLakeLouise,MoraineLakeandtodrivetheIcefieldsParkway.IdonothaveanyknowledgeofMountJimmySimpsonsoIcan’tofferadviceonthat.ForMoraineLaketheearlyyouarrivethebetter.Iwouldsuggestgoingasearlyasyoucan,basicallyanytimeaftersunrise.UnlessthingshaverecentlychangedthereareonlycanoesavailableforrentatMoraineLake,nokayaks.TheRockpiletrailishassignsclearlymarkingit,notfarfromtheendoftheparkinglotnearthepublicwashrooms. Reply «OlderComments LeaveaReplyCancelreplyYouremailaddresswillnotbepublished.Requiredfieldsaremarked*Comment*Name* Email* Website Δ PrimarySidebarSearchThisSite Searchthiswebsite NeedHelpUnderstandingTheNationalParkPasses? EverythingYouNeedToUnderstandTheParksCanadaEntryFees StartHereWithYourTripPlanning ATripPlanningGuideForTheCanadianRockyMountains We'reprivilegedtoworkandliveinoneofthemostbeautifulplacesintheworld.WehavecreatedthissitetoshareourphotographyandpersonalexperiencesinBanffNationalParkandtherestoftheCanadianRockyMountains.ReadMore.... JasperFeaturedPosts VisitingBanffandJasperNationalParksintheshoulderseasonofAprilorMayhasitsadvantagesanddisadvantages.Springcomesmuchlaterinthemountains.Whileareasofthewestcoast…ContinueReadingaboutProsAndConsOfBanffAndJasperNationalParksInTheShouderSeasonofAprilAndMay BanffFeaturedPosts TheCanadianRockyMountainsoffersomeofthemostbeautifulsceneryintheworldfromtoweringglaciercoveredmountainstolandscapesfullof…ContinueReadingaboutWhereAndWhenToPhotographInBanffNationalPark