20 Dollar View: A Visit to The Beautiful Lake Moraine in Banff

One of the most famous national parks in the world, the Banff National Park is where the Moraine Lake is situated. A lake surrounded by the Rocky Mountains in the Banff National Park in the Alberta area, Canada, Canada. The Moraine Lake is famous for being found on the reverse side of a twenty-dollar bill back in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The lake can be driven down to through the highway road from Lake Louise that stretches for about 14 km. The turquoise waters seem like magic or as if they were painted unless you see them with your own eyes. The beauty of Moraine Lake comes from the silt left by the glacier melt which refracts those colors in the water to produce such a stunning element of beauty.
The Banff National Park has a lot to explore apart from just lakes and mountains. You can take a tour of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, go on horseback rides, plan to hike or trek through a trail, take the gondola ride, go canoeing or river rafting in one of the lakes or even chose to take the Lake Minnewanka Cruise. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a birdwatcher, you can indulge in that as well. You can hope to spot some small mammals like beavers, porcupines, chipmunks, snowshoe hares and Columbian squirrels. Grizzly bears and Black bears are usually spotted in the forests. Elks and white tailed deer are known to inhabit the valley regions of the forest. Wolves, coyotes, river otters, red foxes and weasels are some species that are commonly found in the Banff National Park.

Set in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, it's hard to say there is much to call unattractive here. The Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canada is simply straight out of a windows wallpaper. The experiences that this place can offer are truly larger than life. While the Moraine Lake, Banff remains frozen through winters and roads are closed to go by car, the view of this beautiful lake during the summers is considered one of the most picturesque destinations in all of Canada itself. The glacier melt gives this lake a surreal shade of blue-green which is simply breath-taking as it is nestled amongst the icy Rocky Mountains. In the fall the larches light up in rich shades of yellow, and orange and paint a surreal backdrop for a hike. There are multiple trails to go on from Moraine Lake such as the Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail, Larch Valley, Sentinel Pass, Wenkchemna Pass, Eiffel Lake etc. Each of these trails have their own views and offer some astonishingly beautiful experiences.
The Canadian Rockies are so mesmerizing and there’s a never ending list of things to do irrespective of the season if planned well. It is not possible to cover all of Banff National park in a day or two but if you wish to make the trip adventurous and explore different activities at different points then this is surely possible. You can start with hiking to the moraine lake Banff trail and the rockpile trail on one day and maybe go canoeing at the lake if you still have some energy left. On the second day you can drive towards Johnston Canyon and Bow valley. Most of these activities are strenuous as much as they are fun and planning to spread it out a bit is the best way to enjoy it without overwhelming your body.

The Rockpile Trail is one of the most famous trails to trek through for some amazing views of Lake Moraine, Canada and the valley. This is one of the shortest and easiest trails that you can take. Irrespective of you being an avid hiker or just a beginner, the Rockpile Trail is a short 1.4km trek and takes about 1 hour to the most amazing sunrise views. Be well aware of the timings that the park is open and consider crowds to plan when you want to go. Parking spots are hard to find so the earlier you go, the better it is for you to beat the crowds and find yourself a nice spot to watch the beauty of nature unravel. This trek is rated as the best option because of its moderate intensity yet charming views it has to offer with the sun glistening on the blue-green waters. Enthusiastic travellers may also take bike rides to Moraine Lake to avoid parking issues and shuttles. It is best to stay safe and hike from the backside of the Rockpile to reach the top. The Rockpile vantage point gives you a view of Lake Moraine as well as the surroundings.

The Consolation Lakes Trail is situated towards Lake Louise and is not as crowded as the Rockpile Trail. The trail stretches for about 5.8kms and is situated between Lake Louise Alberta, Canada and Moraine Lake. This is a flat trail and doesn’t require a lot of trekking or hiking skills. This trail takes about an hour to reach to the top. If you’d love the idea of hiking or trekking with a constant view of the glacier melt and snow-capped Rocky Mountains, then this is one trail that has tranquil views and undisturbed paths for you to take in all that nature has to offer. There are two stretches of this lake known as the lower consolation lake and the upper consolation lake. The stretch from the lower consolation lake to the upper consolation lake is considered tedious since you have to trek on rubble and boulders, but the view is promising.

The Moraine Lakeshore Trail has to be rated as the easiest of all trails that stretches for about 3 kms. If you would prefer the lake and the forest for views with the Mountains set as a backdrop without going too far or toiling too hard then this trail is meant for you. While this also essentially means there will be more crowds here and Parking spots are still an issue you have to deal with. The race is worth the Moraine lake banff view. You can finish the trek and peacefully have breakfast by the lake or just sit down touch the icy water and rewind. Most canoes start from here. This trail takes you through the lush forest and you’re in for some amazing views of the glacier fed waterfalls as well.

If you’re an avid trekker then Johnston Creek in the Banff National Park will definitely be a challenge you would love to take up. Johnston Creek is a tributary to the bow river, and the waterfalls in Johnston Canyon are the reward that makes every hiker come back irrespective of how hard the trek is. There are two points known as the lower falls and the upper falls. The lower falls is a 1.1 km trek that takes about 30 minutes, and the upper falls stretch to another 2.6kms away for a much higher elevation. This takes about one hour alone. The entire trek takes 2-3 hours up and down, but the waterfall is mesmerizing with its blue waters. The lush forest, the path that leads to the waterfall and views of deep pools are all an exciting surprise for taking on this trek. Winters are simply amazing at Banff national park with so many ice adventures to explore starting from guided skiing lessons to ice climbing. There is another trail from the upper falls that leads to the ink pots which are seven pools of mineral springs that are a well-known attraction. This is another 3 kms from the upper falls to an open meadow with these mesmerizing turquoise watered springs.
Johnston Canyon Lodge is the starting point of these trails and is in the opposite direction to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine so it is ideal to drive down from Banff to Johnston Canyon which is around 25 kms. The Bow Valley parkway is also 20 kms away from Banff and a great place to just watch the beautiful mountains and take in the views.

Canoes are available to rent here which is usually considered one of the best experiences apart from hiking and trekking. The views are so serene and calming that this activity has to be one of the most heart-warming and humbling experience you can have at the Banff National Park, Canada. The Moraine Lake Lodge is where you should be able to find these rentals. One hour rentals start at around 100 CAD and this is definitely an amazing experience if you shouldn’t miss out on because of the price tag. It can fit in around 3 people and it is ideal to canoe when the waters are calm.

If you’re intending to cover all of Banff National Park then you have options apart from renting kayaks and canoes as well. Canoes, kayaks, sailboats and rowboats- mostly all non motorized boards are allowed on all lakes within Banff National Park. Boats with motors (gas or electric) are restricted to Lake Minnewanka only.

Exploring food is a must in Alberta. Banff may only be a small resort town with a few places to eat and souvenir shops but there’s so much more to Alberta that you can explore if you’re specifically landing at Banff but would be interested in covering places around. Most people land at the Calgary Airport which is the closest airport to Banff. Banff downtown has a great deal of arts, fossils and souvenir stores amongst some posh restaurants and cafes as well. Try out the local cuisine and local beers.

1. It is advisable to check weather forecasts before you plan your trip to the Banff National Park. Lake Moraine is accustomed to heavy risk of avalanches in the valley and thus requires precaution before planning. Mountain weather seems to suddenly drop in certain places and gets better as the day progresses so your clothes can make the world of difference between comfortable and irritable.

2. You should ideally carry some snacks and drinks with you to avoid having to return to the lake for food. If you plan to hike far then make sure you’re prepared for this.You will find a limited variety of food and drinks at the Moraine Lake Lodge if you need to but they’re expensive and you’d rather just carry some small snacks and water for yourself.

3. The temperatures are usually low around moraine lake canada and it is advised for you to carry warm clothing and layers if required. The winds are strong and cold and depending on the season you go to visit, you might also need mittens and other woollen clothing to stay warm. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes because these treks are easy but the area is filled with small rocks so having a good grip is essential.
4. If you’re travelling in the summer, then it is best to travel is small groups of 4 or more to avoid any bear attacks. This is not just a precautionary move, but it is also required by Law at the National Park so do not simply walk alone up into the forest.

5. If you’re a beginner don’t plan to do all the hikes in one day. If you have time, then you can do about 2-3 trails over a period of 2-3 days. These don’t seem so strenuous but will leave you slightly sore. So spread it out and enjoy the amazing early morning views and the weather at Alberta.

6. Read up about seasonal restrictions imposed by the Park authorities in advance. For the safety of travellers some trails, roads and points are often closed if there is a sudden change in weather or an avalanche prediction/ warning. You can give them a call or check on their website for details.

7. While you might not be completely breathless, it is advisable to take required medicines if asthmatic and go at a slow pace because the elevation levels can make the oxygen drop quicker than you know.