Canada Day 2 - Moraine Lake


Our first full day started with breakfast at the hotel. Pretty standard "free breakfast" that comes with any number of hotels. So no photos needed. Still, it was fuel for the morning and we were thankful. 




We then headed off to catch our shuttle to Lake Moraine, where we planned to spend the day. It’s elevation 6,000 feet. The day started out cloudy, but as we drove up the mountain the sun came out and burned off the mist. 


The Lake is one of the most popular sites in the Banff National Park. So much so, they banned all public vehicles a few years back and everyone has to be shuttled in. The Lake is surrounded by 10 mountain peaks and is a sight to see.  Snow covered peaks and blue water make for iconic photos from the top of the Rock Pile and anywhere else for that matter. The Pile is a quick hike which we did right away, hoping to beat the morning rush. There is some debate as to how the Rock Pile was formed.  Mountain slide or glacier deposit. Heather thinks fairies convinced trolls to do the work. Doesn't really matter as long as we can take pictures from the top. 



The Rock Pile is not very impressive from the front. 


We then headed for the Consolation Lakes trail which takes hikers around the backside of the 10 mountains to Consolation Lake. The lake is not as picturesque as Moraine, but the canyon and area are still pretty. What’s interesting is that the trail dumps you out on a huge boulder field and the only way to the water was to climb across them. Kind of crazy and quite tiring for at least one of us. 






The trail to Consolation Lake runs through forest most of the way, paralleling a mountain fed stream. No bears sighted or any wild life in general. So we packed our bear spray in vain…not that we wanted to meet one that close. The trail wasn't crowded, but enough people were around to scare off most wildlife. At the lake we stopped for a lunch of sandwiches, Pringles, and Coke before heading back to Lake Moraine.



This area has had a lot of rain this season and is quite green. Lots of moss and mushrooms. 


Just a sample of what we climbed over. 





At Moraine we then hiked the lakeside trail, which wound around part of the lake, giving a different perspective from on top of the Rock Pile. 






Hunting for a heart shaped rock for Heather’s collection. 


Kept the one on the right…so far. 


The only wildlife we saw. 

At 4:30 pm we boarded our shuttle bus for the 25 minute ride back to Lake Louise Village and dinner. After a soak in the hot tub, steam room and a good nights sleep we will be ready to do it again. Tomorrow we head to Lake Louise for day 3 of our trip and our second day of hiking.



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