Moraine Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moraine Lake
Sunrise by Moraine Lake in mid-summer
Moraine Lake Location in Alberta
Location	Banff National Park, Alberta
Coordinates	51°19′21″N 116°11′08″W / 51.32250°N 116.18556°W / 51.32250; -116.18556
Primary inflows	Fay Glacier Larch Creek
Primary outflows	Moraine Creek
Basin countries	Canada
Surface area	50 ha (0.19 sq mi)
Max. depth	14 metres (46 ft)
Surface elevation	1,884 m (6,181 ft)

Moraine Lake is a glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres (6,181 ft). The lake has a surface area of 50 hectares (120 acres).

The lake, being glacially fed, does not reach its crest until middle to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of azure blue. The unique colour is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis by surrounding glaciers.

Tourism

Hiking trails

The area around the lake has several walking/hiking trails that are, from time to time, restricted. The trail most commonly taken by tourists is The Rockpile Trail, which is along the actual moraine. The trail is approximately 300 metres (980 ft) long, with an elevation change of 24 metres (79 ft). The view of the lake from the top of the rockpile is one of the most photographed locations in all of Canada. That view of the mountains behind the lake in Valley of the Ten Peaks is known as the "Twenty Dollar View", as Moraine Lake was featured on the reverse side of the 1969 and 1979 issues of the Canadian twenty dollar bill. The area is plagued by traffic jams and parking chaos due to out-of-control tourism.

Along the same trail-head, the Consolation Lakes trail starts, which is approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long, with an elevation change of 90 metres (300 ft). Upon reaching Consolation Lakes hikers may continue along to the upper lake, which is not visible from the end of the lower lake. There is, however, no clearly marked trail, and can often be a scramble over large rocky areas.

Canoe docks

Near the canoe docks of Moraine Lake Lodge there is another trail-head. This trail-head is the start of two trails, one of which branches out into four different trails - so there are in total, five trails starting at that trail-head (Moraine Lake Lake shore Trail, Eiffel Lake, Wenkchemna Pass, Larch Valley, and Sentinel Pass). The Lake Louise & Yoho Map provides information on these trails.

Mountaineering routes

The Neil Colgan Hut can be reached in 8 to 12 hours climbing the Perren Route from Moraine Lake.

Appearances

The image of Moraine Lake is world-famous and appears in many places, including:

• On the reverse side of the 1969 and 1979 issues of the Canadian twenty dollar bill.
• In one of the main preview pictures for Google's operating system Android, Moraine lake was used as a background picture.
• 

  Moraine Lake at Sunset
  Bernard Callebaut print advertisements.
• In one of the backgrounds available on the Blackberry Pearl.
• In one of the backgrounds available on the Palm Pre.
• In one of Windows Vista Starter wallpapers.
• 

  Moraine Lake in June 2018
  In one of Windows 7's backgrounds in the "Canada" series.
• As the Bing homepage on October 13, 2009, on October 2, 2013, and again on September 10, 2014.
• 

  Reflection of surrounding peaks
  As the National Geographic Travel 365: Photo of the Day for October 8, 2013.
• As a photo in Joel's Texas home in the video game The Last of Us.
• On a postcard in the video game Until Dawn (the card however says Calgary).
• In the login screen of Windows 10.
• As a colour image, which was reproduced from photo taken by photographer Peter McKinnon, on one of Royal Canadian Mint 2 oz. silver coins.

Image gallery

Images for kids

• 

  Moraine Lake at Sunset

• 

  Moraine Lake in June 2018

• 

  Reflection of surrounding peaks

See also

In Spanish: Lago Moraine para niños