Route: Moraine Lake and Consolation Lakes
Area: Alberta, Canada
Date of walk: 22nd September 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 600 feet
Weather: Cloudy with some patches of sun
Moraine Lake is one of Banff’s most popular destinations and with good reason. The lake is a stunning turquoise colour and is set in a dramatic location beneath the towering limestone Ten Peaks. Access by car is not permitted and it’s necessary to take a shuttle bus to the start of the walk. We were aware that the iconic viewpoint of the lake would be packed with tourists and so we arranged the earliest available bus, using the services of the Moraine Lake Bus Company, which I can recommend. Note that tickets should be bought in advance. The bus departs from the Lake Louise Summer Gondola parking area and the journey to Moraine Lake takes about 30 minutes. Allow plenty of time when booking the return shuttle, if the bus is missed it’s a long walk back to the Gondola area. We allowed 3 hours which was about right, and meant that we didn’t feel under any pressure and could enjoy the surroundings at leisure
After alighting from the bus we made a short there and back detour to the Rockpile to admire the wonderful view of Moraine Lake. The unique azure blue colour is due to the refraction of sunlight off the rock sediment deposited in the lake on a continual basis in summer by the surrounding glaciers, an amazing sight. Despite our early start it was a very busy place, but it would become busier later in the day. We retraced our steps and set off along the trail to Consolation Lakes. Bears are sometimes seen along the way, and so we took bear spray just in case. After a short section through a boulder field we entered into the woods and followed an easy path uphill. There were occasional views of the limestone peaks around us. Eventually we arrived at Consolation Lakes, the shore of which is protected by a massive boulder field. We clambered as far as we could in order to get a view of the lake. Anyone going as far as the shore itself would have to be very determined, crossing the boulders is hard going
Not wanting to miss our shuttle bus back, we retraced our steps to Moraine Lake, passing by a small number of fellow walkers along the way. We’d left enough time for a short there and back stroll along the lakeshore path which rounded off a fabulous morning
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After alighting from the shuttle bus at Lake Moraine we follow the sign for Consolation Lakes, but first we make a quick diversion to admire the classic view of Lake Moraine from the Rockpile
Lake Moraine in all its glory
We descend from the rockpile on which the viewpoint is perched and set off for Consolation Lakes
We were carrying bear spray, just in case
The path is quite rough and rocky, which deters the bus loads of tourists from venturing further than the Lake Moraine viewpoint
We cross a small boulder field
Entering the woods
Looking back, Lake Moraine is out of sight
An atmospheric woodland section...
We walk through a clearing, and then back into the woods...
Mount Babel towers overhead
Bident Mountain at the head of Consolation Lakes, unseen from here
The Tower of Babel
The first of Consolation Lakes. A massive boulder field makes progress tortuous. Not wanting to miss the shuttle bus back, this is as far as we went
The fearsome scree slopes and rock spires of Mount Babel
Bident Mountain...
Mount Temple catches the light as we start to retrace our steps
A last look back at Bident Mountain
A lovely stroll back through the woods...
We arrive back at Lake Moraine, passing by the crowds at the viewpoint, and walk along the lakeshore which is surprisingly quiet. Mount Bowlen and Tonsa Peak dominate the scene
The lake really is this colour, the colours in these photos have not been manipulated...
A final view of Lake Moraine before we retrace our steps and catch the shuttle bus back
