Western Canada - Part 8 - Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
If you go online and google 'Canadian Rockies' the first pictures that come up will be of either Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. They are the most popular places in the Canadian Rockies and quite possibly in North America. There are two reasons why they are very popular. One, is that they are easily accessible. You can drive right up to them both with no hiking required. The second, is that they are one of the most stunning sites in the world. I expected this place to be a hot mess since every tourist who visits here HAS to stop at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. And now I know why. It's a must if you are in the Canadian Rockies, even with the crowds.
So after two beautiful days here in Canada, the next couple days were supposed to be iffy with the weather. It called for light rain down below with temperatures in the mid to upper 40's. But up on the mountains was a different story. It called for heavy and wet snow and in the low 30's. I was really disappointed because I had so much hiking planned. The list was full of beautiful hikes that led us to high spots in the mountains with stunning views. But with snow up high and it being the tail end of avalanche season, it wasn't a risk I was willing to take. I woke up early in the morning and took a glace outside. The peaks were covered by clouds and a light rain was falling in the town. This is the view we had from the back porch:
Above is looking at the Rundle Mountain Range. It was encased in the clouds with snow falling on top of them.
Mountain Lady McDonald peaking above the clouds
As you can see, a decent amount of snow definitely fell overnight and some was still falling.
We only had a light drizzle of rain, but up high snow was falling.
I decided that today, maybe we'll sleep in and take a rest. When Jessica woke up she asked what the plan was today. I told her that, as always, I wanted to hike, but with the current weather situation, that wouldn't be a good idea. We were prepared for all but snow. I had even brought the microspikes just in case of ice. I said we could do something else, but it's going to be a shit show because its the most popular place in the Rockies and a lot of people are going to be there. She said "That's ok. Lets just do it!" So off we went to Lake Louise.
On our way to Lake Louise, some peaks popped in and out of the fast moving clouds and started to show the recent amount of snowfall. Now remember, it's June 1st and a day ago it was 83 degrees and sunny. This sort of drastic change in weather happens all the time in the Rockies.
Mountains popped in and out of views all the time.
Stunning display of sedimentary rock that was pushed up when North America crashed into another small continent. This happened over 100 million years ago!
Blue skies also popped out at times!
Fog down in the valley and whipping winds up on the mountains.
But those blue skies would quickly get replaced by dense clouds and snow.
The photo above was taken at a parking over area along the highway. I had to pee and this was the closest to where we were, but I'm glad we stopped. It was beautiful with the clouds, blue sky, sun and bright green colors and Bow River flowing down below.
Like I said, the timing of this trip was absolutely perfect. On normal days, this area would be jam packed, with nowhere to park.
And here we are pulling into the famous Lake Louise! Because Lake Louise is so popular, they have a massive parking area built a couple miles outside of the normal parking area. When the normal parking lot is full, they make you park at the 2nd area and shuttle you to the lake. We didn't have to do that today! It was 10:30 in the morning and we still could park right next to the lake! During the busy times of the spring, summer and fall, people have to arrive here at 5:30 in the morning to get a parking spot up front. That's insane!
Looking south into Lake Louise and the valley. We were so lucky that this place wasn't packed full of people. It does look like it is, but this is nothing compared to the busy tourist season.
Fairview Mountain, to the left, is over 9,000 feet tall.
The beautiful teal color of the lake was stunning. Fairview Mountain slightly shows itself in the background.
Who would come here and not take a selfie?
The trail/path that leads around the lake. This usually looks like the streets of New York City. Not today! This trail is the start of the Plain Of The Six Glaciers hike.
Panoramic view of the lake.
The Fairmont Chateau. Beautiful, yet very expensive to stay here.
Amazing colors in every direction you look.
This is looking south into the valley. This trail that travels beside the lake leads all the way up to a place called the Plain Of The Six Glaciers Tea house. It was on our list to hike, but since the recent snowfall, it was considered a dangerous hike due to the risk of an avalanche. The tea house was closed due to this also.
The stunning turquoise blue color of the lake
A look at some glaciers in the far distance.
Light snow falling up high, yet nothing happening down below.
After exploring some of Lake Louise, we got back into the car and headed to Moraine Lake. The outlet to Moraine Lake is on the way up to Lake Louise, but since Moraine Lake has limited parking, I was ready to accept the fact that we wouldn't be able to get in. When we pulled up to the turn, the staff waved us through and we were on our way! I was so excited!
The view on way to the parking area. Just from this spot, it was absolutely amazing to see these massive peaks pop up through the trees. The bald area to the right is an avalanche area. During the end of the fall, winter and beginning of spring, this road is closed due to the threat of an avalanche.
This is the view from just the parking lot. I was blown away but just being here. All these peaks in this photo are above 10,000 feet in elevation!
Mount Bowen and Tonsa Peak with Mount Little appearing in the left corner.
Up close shot of the Fay Glacier
A shot from the base of the moraine and the start of the short trail to the top of the moraine. A moraine is a mass of rocks and sediment carried down and deposited by a glacier.
Since this is a very, very popular place, the easy trail to the top of the moraine was created to assist tourists for an easier time.
Jessica running up the steps with the massive mountains in front of her.
As we kept getting closer to the top of the moraine, the peaks started to reveal themselves.
Boom. Absolute beauty in every direction. The turquoise color of the lake is from the glaciers grinding on the rock. Jessica and I were blown away. I believe 'speechless' is the term that was used in this situation.
This specific area is called the valley of the 10 peaks. Every mountain that you are looking at is over 10,000 feet tall. The snowfall from the night before had enhanced the view by a great amount. It brought out features on the mountains that we would of never seen if the snow hadn't fallen.
You could see the sun trying to peak through the clouds at times. When it didn't the lake appeared a darker color.
When the sunshine hit the lake it made the lake reflect a color I would never thought I would ever had seen. It was absolutely breathtaking.
If you didn't take a selfie here, then you either didn't have a camera, or, you're not human. Also, this photo is not enhanced. The colors are 100% real!
Panoramic view from the top of the moraine. We could of stayed here for hours. Can you see why I want to come back here every year?
The view from the beach of the lake with the valley of the ten peaks to the right and Mount Babel to the left. The moraine that we were on top of is to the far right. What an absolutely fantastic day. I'm glad that we made the decision to explore!