Day 19 – Monday 12th June – Banff

We have heard that Lake Louise is special and that Moraine Lake a little beyond there is also worth a visit.  We decide to try and make an early start and we are glad we did because the parking lot at Moraine Lake was already pretty full and the number of RV spaces already reduced by the overflow of cars.  We manage to squeeze into the final parking space.  It is really busy and there are very many cars, busses and RVs all spilling visitors out onto the end of the lake, which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.


As is so often the case just a short walk and we leave the crowds behind us as we take the trail all along the water’s edge to the far end where for a while at least there are just the two of us to appreciate this scenic marvel!

The lake itself is misnamed as, although glacial it has been formed not by terminal moraine deposits but instead by a landslide cutting across the valley and holding the glacial and snow melt water back.  The result however is spectacular and after we have walked back into the people zone we climb up onto the rocks of the landslip to admire the view from this end of the lake as well.



It really is as though we have saved the best till last as this is the most spectacular sight of the whole tour.  To pop the cherry on an already well iced cake I spot and manage to catch with a photo the small, shy pika running around on the scree slope.

We do try to visit Lake Louise but the parking is full by the time we get there and we have taken so much time enjoying Moraine Lake that there is insufficient to drive to the Park and Ride and get the free shuttle back.

Our final farewell supper awaits us this evening back in Banff.

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