Primary outflows Moraine Creek Surface area 50 ha (0.19 sq mi) Max depth 14 m Province Alberta | Basin countries Canada Surface elevation 1,884 m Area 50 ha | |
Location Banff National Park, Alberta Primary inflows Similar Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Canadian Rockies, Peyto Lake, Rocky Mountains | ||
Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the Village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet (1,885 m). The lake has a surface area of 50 hectares (120 acres).
Contents
- Map of Moraine Lake Improvement District No 9 AB Canada
- Hiking trails
- Mountaineering routes
- Appearances
- References
Map of Moraine Lake, Improvement District No. 9, AB, Canada
The lake, being glacially fed, does not reach its crest until mid to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of blue. The colour is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis.
Hiking trails
The area around the lake has several walking/hiking trails which are, from time to time, restricted. The trail most commonly taken by tourists is The Rockpile Trail, which is along the actual moraine. The trail is approximately 300 metres long, with an elevation change of 24 metres (79 ft). The view of the lake from the top of the rockpile is one of the most photographed locations in all of Canada. That view of the mountains behind the lake in Valley of the Ten Peaks is known as the "Twenty Dollar View", as Moraine Lake was featured on the reverse side of the 1969 and 1979 issues of the Canadian twenty dollar bill.
Along the same trailhead, the Consolation Lakes trail starts, which is approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long, with an elevation change of 90 metres (300 ft). Upon reaching Consolation Lakes hikers may continue along to the upper lake, which is not visible from the end of the lower lake. There is, however, no clearly marked trail, and can often be a scramble over large rocky areas.
Near the canoe docks of Moraine Lake Lodge there is another trailhead. This trailhead is the start of two trails, one of which branches out into four different trails - so there are in total, five trails starting at that trailhead (Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail, Eiffel Lake, Wenkchemna Pass, Larch Valley, and Sentinel Pass). The Lake Louise & Yoho Map provides information on these trails.
Mountaineering routes
The Neil Colgan Hut can be reached in 8 to 12 hours climbing the Perren Route from Moraine Lake.
Appearances
The image of Moraine Lake is world-famous and appears in many places, including: