Larch Valley hike - my 3rd entry for the Photochain Photography Contest

High above Moraine lake is the Larch Valley. Typically people like to do this hike in the fall as all the needles on the trees turn yellow, it's pretty special. A bit like mountain cherry blossoms. People come from all over the world to see them turn yellow. However I think the real star of the show are the few lakes between the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. The reflections are incredible and super moody!

There's everything on this hike. Moraine lake at the bottom, streams, waterfalls, mountain meadows, glacier fed lakes and a summit! My favorite time to go is in the summer - the mountain meadows are incredible. Although the larches aren't yellow, the views are still majestic.

I personally don't mind hiking on days when it's a little cloudy - scares bulk of the tourists away.

Getting here

About 1 hour past Banff take the exit for Lake Louise and follow the road until you reach the turn for Moraine Lake. Once at the parking lot for the lake, follow the trail around to the right past the hotel to the trail head. You can't miss it. If you have a group smaller than 4, you might have to wait for a little bit to find a group (bears!)

The weather changes so frequently up here it can go from sunny to snowing in an afternoon - so dress appropriately. Mother nature doesn't care about your plans.