Moraine Lake

Alberta

Beyond Lake Louise, at the end of a scenic 13 kilometer-long twisty mountain road, is Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Like Lake Louise, this is another scenic setting with similar turquoise water surrounded by snow-capped peaks, but it is much less visited. It was for many years the location of the image on the reverse side of the old Canadian twenty dollar bill.

Moraine Lake is overshadowed by ten peaks, each more than 3,000 meters high, containing the Wenkchemna Glacier. There is a great view across the lake from an overlook reached by hiking up a short path known as the Rockpile Trail, located near the parking lot. In the spring, the thunder of falling glaciers or landslides can be heard in the distance.

From Moraine Lake, there is a day hike to Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in the national park. It is a somewhat exhausting day hike, but the reward is the stunning view. This hike is often snow covered in the upper region even into July. The area is particularly beautiful in autumn when the larches are changing color. The hike to the Sentinel Pass (2,611 meters) involves climbing a total of six kilometers and ascending 520 meters.