The Valley of Ten Peaks
Welcome to Moraine Lake. What can be finer than a canoe ride on azure Blue waters surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. It is no wonder why this is Canada’s most photographed location. It was even featured on the reverse side of the Canadian $20 bill in 1969 and 1979. The downside is that this is a very popular tourist destination, with crowds, restricted access, and overused facilities. Is it worth while? Absolutely, it takes my breath away each and every time I see it.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from Moraine Lake. Prints of images in this blog are available from my on-line gallery through Pictorem. If you see an image which you like and it is not available on Pictorem, just contact me here. To save some dollars, frame your own picture. I can print a variety of sizes up to 19×13 inches. Just contact me.
Moraine Lake
The lake formed as a result of a moraine, which is essentially a landslide that collapsed into the valley below. That moraine, now called the “Rock Pile”, formed a natural dam across the stream from the melting glaciers and snow. The blue color of the water comes from Rock Flour, which reflects the blue light more than other colors. Rock Flour is a very fine powder that comes from the glaciers eroding the rocks.
A Brief History
Moraine Lake has of course existed for much longer than our species ever inhabited these lands. The Canadian Rockies were originally prehistoric sea beds, that have been thrust sky high due to plate Tectonics. Whether the lake existed through the Ice Ages, and through the millennia since, we can only speculate.
What we do know is that an avid explorer, Walter Wilcox, was hired to map the area around Lake Louise. Wilcox set out on a multi-day expedition in 1899 to find a new route up Mount Temple. For two days he endured the worst that Canadian weather can deliver. On the third day, the weather cleared and he eventually climbed the Rock Pile. He later wrote “no scene had ever given me an equal impression of inspiring solitude and rugged grandeur”.
The rest, as they say is history. The natural beauty of the area attracted investment and tourism, with a tea-house established on the site in 1908. Moraine Lake is now a must do “Instagram” and wedding photo location.
Getting to Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is 14 km from Lake Louise and is only open from June to mid-October. Before 2023, it was possible to drive to Moraine Lake. However, the location’s popularity meant long waits for parking and lots of congestion. That all changed in 2023 when Parks Canada changed the rules. You must now book a shuttle to access the area. Frustrating yes, but absolutely necessary. To book a shuttle check out these links or just Google Moraine Lake shuttles. But do it early during your planning, this is a very popular destination.
Activities in Moraine Lake
Besides being amazed at the jaw dropping scenery, there are a few more things to enjoy while you are here.
Canoeing
Canoeing out onto those waters, and viewing the scenery from all of the different angles is a great activity. The only way to see all ten peaks of the valley, is to canoe to the middle of the lake. It is expensive (at $160/hour in 2024) – and at peak times there can be a line up. But definitely an experience you will remember.
Photography
With such stunning scenery, how can photography not be a prime activity. The most popular location for photography is from the top of the Rock Pile. Especially during sunrise, but it is not the only location. There will be a lot of photographers on the Rock Pile. Many of them going off trail down the slopes of the pile, but be warned, the terrain is treacherous.
The ‘light’ at Moraine Lake changes dramatically through the day, and through the seasons. Sunrise and Sunset in September are very different from June. Some of my favorite shots were taken at sunset. One of my favorite shots was when the setting sun found a path through the mountains. This illuminated the opposite shore of the lake and made great contrast to the foreground canoes. Regardless of your level photographic skill, you will walk away with hundreds of shots.
The Rock Pile is not the only location for stunning compositions. Explore the shoreline trail for shots of the mountains, the canoes, and the shoreline itself. Many of my photographs in this blog were actually taken along the shoreline.
Hiking
Given the stunning scenery, and challenges, there is no shortage of hikes to be had. Here are some suggestions in order of difficulty.
The Rock Pile: At 300 meters long and 50 meters elevation gain, this is the easiest hike and easily the most popular. This is the go to location for views of Moraine Lake, and the surrounding peaks. There are some steep sections, but take it slowly, and you will eventually come to the top. A little winded perhaps, but you will get there.
The Shoreline Trail: Follows the right side of the lake, from the Rock Pile to the end of Moraine Lake. Look for the melting waters where the glacial waters enter the lake. The Shoreline trail is about 5 km’s round trip, with minimal elevation gain. The views are stunning with many opportunities to head down to lake side for better views.
Consolation Lakes: The trail shares its start with the trail to the Rock Pile but branches after about 100 meters. It winds its way behind the Rock Pile towards a valley and ending at Consolation Lake. The round trip is about 6 km, with an elevation gain less than 100 meters. But but the trail can be rough and rocky, not the easiest hiking. If you do this trail be aware you are heading into back country, bring your bear spray!
Larch Valley: This is a stunning trail, especially in the fall when the Larch trees start turning golden. Larch Valley is a 9 km hike, round trip, with 564 meters of elevation gain. There are some aggressive switchbacks at the beginning. Then the trail levels off with a view of the Larch trees and the surrounding peaks of the area. Again a warning about being in bear country, bring your bear spray.
Some Practical Advice
Besides having to book shuttles there are a couple of other things to plan for your trip. First off, the bathroom “facilities”. Hard to plan for but good to be aware of. They are all located in the parking lot, are essentially outhouses, and suffer from some significant use during the day.
The second issue is food and drink. There is one small cafe on-site. The line up in the morning was about 25 meters out of the front entrance. It maybe a good idea to bring some food and water if you want to save yourself some frustration.
Moraine Lake Lodge
We were super fortunate to stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge and what an experience it was. Located on the shore of the lake, you have great views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The staff were very professional and friendly, without being stuffy. It was great to hear about their own experiences of working at the lodge and exploring the surrounding areas. Yes it was expensive, but your lodging rate includes breakfast, a moderate lunch, and free canoe rentals. The bonus, after 7:00 pm, the shuttles are gone and the lake is all yours.
The one exception to the no car policy of Parks Canada. Guests of the hotel can drive to the Lodge. A great advantage of staying at the lodge is waking up 15 minutes before sunrise. This gives you ample time to head to the Rock Pile for photography. Much better than waking up at 3:30 am for a shuttle from Banff or Canmore. Moraine Lake Lodge fills up fast, so if you are considering this choice, book early. I booked our room over nine months in advance and it took some juggling to get all the dates right. More on the Lodge can be found here.
Conclusion
Well I hope you found this info useful. Moraine Lake is an amazing location and you can easily spend a day or two here, it is highly recommended. Let me know if I can help with any questions you have, contact me here. If you have been to Moraine Lake I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Copyright 2025 Philip Colet 
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