MORAINE LAKE. Wilcox the explorer named it Moraine Lake after the moraine, or rock pile, deposited by the Wenkchemna Glacier. He was later to write that, "no scene had ever given me an equal impression of inspiring solitude and rugged grandeur", adding that his time spent contemplating the view was the happiest half-hour of his life.unfortunataly the mist would not lift for us.

AFTER VISITING THE LAKES SURROUNDING BANFF WE NOTICED A FEW MILES FURTHER NORTH WAS THE BRITISH COLUMBIAN ICEFIELDS . WE DECIDED TO GIVE IT A LOOK NOT KNOWING JUST WHAT AWE INSPIRING SCENERY WE WERE ABOUT TO WITNESS.

Panorama View : On the Icefield parkway to the Columbian Icefields

The Columbia Icefield is located on Canada’s most scenic mountain roadway; The Icefields Parkway. This is the route to over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes, 

Considered one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway , alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. For two hundred and thirty kilometres, from Lake Louise to the Jasper townsite, the Parkway winds along the shoulder of the Great Divide and passes by the spectacular mountains of the Eastern Main Ranges of the Canadian Rockies. It follows the headwaters of three major rivers and crosses two major passes en route.

 The Crowfoot Glacier is an awesome sight and rates as one of the area's top attractions. Many years ago, this famous glacier had three distinctive claw-like structures, although one has since worn away. The Crowfoot Glacier can be found on the way to Peyto Lake, from Lake Louise.

panoramic view

Peyto Lake seen here from Bow Summit  photos have NOT been  computor enhanced.

The rock flour from a glacier 'left' seeping into Peyto Lake that gives it its vibrant colour.

During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake, and these suspended rock particles give the lake a bright, turquoise color. Because of its bright color, photos of the lake often appear in illustrated books, and area around the lake is a popular sightseeing spot for tourists in the park. The lake is best seen here from Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefield Parkway.

The bluest lake in the Rockies 'Peyto Lake'