Thursday, September 01, 2005
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake is a worthy companion to Lake Louise. Dammed by a deposit of disputed origin (landslide, glacial moraine, or a mixture of the two?), Moraine Lake is a little more wild and just as spectacular as Lake Louise. Most of the backcountry around Moraine Lake was restricted because of Grizzly Bear activity, but we just hiked along the lake. Highlights included a cool talus deposit, an emaciated deer, and a thundering crash of ice from a calving hanging glacier!
When we returned several days later we were sitting on the moraine/landslide deposit enjoying the view when a 50ish couple ambled by and the man started taking pictures of the woman. Talk about a whipped man! Every shot (of the woman with the lake in the background) ended with an instruction as to why the man had taken that shot wrong and that he needed to take another. First it was shadows from the sun, then it was whether she was smiling or not, then it was whether he had zoomed correctly, then she admonished him for wasting film and taking too many pictures. Nary a word from the man. All the while Sara and I were trying not to laugh while enjoying one of the most beautiful mountain scenes in the world!
Distance:
Vertical Gain: 0'
Weather: Fine
Dog Rating: I hate you guys (stuck at the kennel, and I would have defended you from all those grizzlies)
