Moraine Lake & Lake Louise

Moraine Lake and Lake Louise (the Lake, not the city) are top destinations within the national park. Shuttles to both lakes are by advance reservation. Our reservation was for 07-08.

When we packed for this trip, 14-day weather forecasts showed highs of 70-95. As a result, I did not pack a coat. The forecast was correct until today. As we waited for the shuttle, it was 40 degrees, windy, and drizzly. I wore many layers, and my raincoat, and stayed cold most of the day. Thankfully, the drizzle stopped and the temp "soared" to 51 by mid-day.

We hiked along Moraine Lake first, and quickly returned to take refuge in a warm shuttle to Lake Louise. We strolled along that lake to the end, and continued up the forested canyon. We saw signs for the Plain of 5 Glaciers, and decided to keep on to see what views we might see (we knew we weren't going to the end - 9 miles). We stopped where we could see 3 glaciers and that was far enough.

Side note: At the stream end of the lake, as I was taking a lake picture, I felt something crawling up my pant leg. I squawked and jumped, disturbing a ground squirrel that was wanting me to feed him!Read more