Moraine Lake Sunrise
Directions
Take Highway 1 from Calgary and turn left at the Lake Louise exit. Then follows the signs for Moraine Lake.
Background
I arrived at the parking lot just before 7am. It was still dark and you could see the warm glow of the nearby lodge in the morning rain.
I made my way up the nearby rock pile to find a good vantage point and waited for sunrise. With the rain and cloud cover, I was beginning to worry that the light I was hoping for wouldn’t happen. Just in time though, the clouds parted enough to allow some amazing orange rays of light to hit the far mountain peaks across the lake.
It wasn’t long before the clouds returned and I decided to make my way down to the colourful canoes that always dot the lake shoreline.
Later in the day, weather cleared up and offered some fantastic views of some of the nearby peaks.
your pictures are just so beautiful.
Love the composition of the shot with the canoes
Agreed!
Also agreed! So beautiful.
Lovely pics! especially the canoes one and the sunrise on mountains..:)
Gorgeous shots as always!
So amazing!
Oh my! Few things match Alpine beauty in this world. Wonderfully captured. Must look into this more.
Oooooo, lovely! The lodge’s glow looks so inviting, I’m not sure I’d have made it out onto the hike. But grateful you did–thanks for the beauty. And thank you for the likes. Your timing is impeccable (as evidenced by your rockin’ photography) with your likes seeming to arrive when I need a boost. Cheers!
Spectacular!
Stunning:-)
Again wonderfull pictures! Love the one with the boats !
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I love the canoes! They’re a nice contrast with the beautiful scene of nature. Great photos as always.
Ditto on Dieu’s comments. They’re all fantastic pictures. Love the contrast between the boats and the scenery.
Wow your work is amazing! Every picture brings me to a place of peace. Thanks
Great pictures. Especially loving the second one.
so picturesque!
Worth getting up early
Beautiful!
Truly Beautiful
Sunrise is a magical time. Thanks for getting out of bed early for the rest of us.
Patrick
Great shots!…The only thing that would make that next to last photo any better, would be if my 15 footer was pulled on shore along with the others. I’m sure that you Canadians have great & beautiful stretched of wilderness up there.
The second picture is amazing, tho they all are.
I agree…
I love the primary colors of the canoes with the water and mountains in the background!
These pictures are so amazing, as always – I suddenly have an urge to heard right down to moraine lake too!
Stunning!
Amidst the royal majestic peaks,
runs a stream very serene,
the snow capped shelter the one,
who gushes through the view green…
wonderful pictures Patrick!
Lovely poem… A wonderful complement to Patricks awesome photography
Those canoes are so inviting! Looks like all that’s missing from the spectrum is a purple one
Two beautiful images of Moraine Lake
The canoes are colorful and were what i first noticed, but the aqua blue in the shallow water really caught my eye. i just want to wade out into it.
I want to hop in one of those canoes. Right now. Amazing work!
That brings back some great memories of a wonderful place.
Lakes… lakes… wow!
You have for sure fantastic wilderness areas in Canada. You bring it out beautifully in your posts.
swebackpacker
Jan-Olof
Beautiful photos as always. Like the reflection of the sunrise on the lake.
Beautiful Pictures!
Wow! You make home tug at my heart. Thank you.
Dude I have to buy two of these. Awesome. The lake shot and the boat shot.
Stunning photographs. We used to live near the Canadian border and it was always a visual treat. Thanks for visting my blog.
Wow, truly stunning photographs! Love the canoes!
Gorgeous picture of the mountains.
Your photos inspire me to paint!
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Beautiful country. Love your photography!
Unbelievable! Absolutely stunning pictures. You make me wish i was there too!
This looks like heaven. Heaven with a hotel nearby?
Inspiring!
A few decades ago, I thought about going to the university in Calgary. Now I know at least some of what I missed. Awesome countryside, and inspiring photos. Thank you.
I’ve been to Moraine Lake. Simply stunning.
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I love the middle two pictures. Fabulous.
Beautiful photography! Love the warm glow of the lodge and the colorful boats on the shore. Excellent!
Amazing pictures!!!!
The rock pile photograph is stunning.
Oh, I’d love to walk in your shoes one day. World’s nature that you see is stunningly beautiful.
Outstanding work!
Stunning images!
Amazing pictures, I hope I will have the same view during the next year (:
I love Moraine Lake. Haven’t been there for years and now you’ve reminded me how beautiful it is. Thank you.
Goregeous and mystic! I have no clue what state this is in though? Well even if it is a state!! Lol, tell me where!
geesh me and my spelling gorgeous!
I’m wondering whether Moraine Lake is meromictic (meromictic lakes are permanentaly layered and do not mix – they usually form from the plunge basins of ancient waterfalls) – the beautiful blue is a bit of a giveaway. Nice images. I particularly like the one of the lodge (HDR?). D
Incredibly beautiful–love your art..Makes you want to get in the car and go!!
Amazing photographs (wish I had the talent and patience to take photos). It looks a beautiful place
Very tranquil.
Some absolutely gorgeous shots here.
Thanks for the follow, those are amazing pics, Absolutely breathtaking!!!
I have definitely been to Moraine Lake. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t venture to hike the area…deathly afraid of crossing the path of wildlife…bears…cougars…and whatever else lurks in them thar woods. I’m just a fraidy cat, having been raised in Hawaii where the worst I might’ve come across were centipedes…scorpions…and mongoose.
…but I love the Canadian Rockies…for sure.
The boats..love it!
20 years since I was there with friends, brought it all back
Wow! Stunning!
Great images. I first visited this area in 1971 and fell in love with the scenery. The weather on the day was as you describe in your post, but it was still beautiful.
Ethereal!
I love reading your blog. As I’ve said before, there’s simply nothing like views such as these in Southern California! Incredible.
Absolutely breathtaking- I feel like I’m there, and now I have the urge to actually go!
oh my goodness, I’ve fallen in love with these pictures.
I am a could and colour junkie, so these were a fantastic treat! In that second shot, the clouds almost look 3-D, like they want to float right out of the photo. Just beautiful!
Beautiful pictures Patrick. Hiking is one of those things that helps clear the mind so one focus on what really matters, these pictures just about get me there!
One of my favorite spots in Canada! Too easy of a day trip from Calgary, makes me miss home!
Amazing photos!
Dig the shot with the canoes. lighting, color, texture – composition is great.
What can one say that 46 other folks haven’t already said? Stunning, absolutely stunning. Quite a gift.
Holy cow! breathtaking…
stunning
Superb Patrick, incredible!
Amazing
#2? Stunning!!!!! And the canoes are awesome, too.
wow awesome photos
Oh my God that scenery is beyond beautiful. It’s hard to believe it’s real. Wonderful pictures
This is absolute beauty! I’ve always wanted to go to Canada.. I definitely will one of these days! You’re a talented photographer!
Lovely photos!
Those scenes are like those you see in magazines! How lucky you are to be able to go there!! Lovely photos!
Beautiful! I haven’t been out west yet…this makes me wanna go there so badly.
I love hiking in the Canadian Rockies and I’m very glad to have found your blog. Moraine Lake looks incredible in your photos and I especially love the shot of the canoes. Thanks for sharing.
breathtaking
Breathtaking!
Wow… you make me want to move to Canada to explore and have all kinds of adventures. Your pictures are really great.
Beautiful and stunning as always
thankyou for sharing 
this way i get to enjoy the splendour you travel in 
Absolutely amazing shots! Love them all and appreciate your willingness to share them with us.
So gorgeous! Margie
Beautiful
Wow. Awesome photography! Makes me want to go where you have been.
Leslie
Beautiful Patrick. I want your job so I can hike, explore and take pictures.
Absolutely stunning images
Absolutely stunning photos!
Great pics Patrick. I will have to stop by and check out your work. Love seeing the work of a good photographer.
I’m in love with the photos! ♥
Beautiful! I would love to visit this area some time!
Simply magnificent!
Your pictures are beautiful!
The water in these images is so inviting, and the canoes and their reflections – ahhhh, makes me want to step into the scene!
thanks so much for finding time to keep up with my posts. buen trabajo/good work!
z
Why do those colorful canoes remind me so much of the movie, The Grey?? Anyway, beautiful beautiful!
I get to travel all over the place and never leave my room!
Your photos are breathtaking!
love these pics, so beautiful – I just want to take one of the kayaks and explore!
Your photographs are gorgeous, and the scenery just leaves me speechless.
Just amazing…wow!
Lovely, especially the one with the canoes. I once took a photo of this lake (when travelling through Canada). Somehow mine one just doesn’t measure up. I’m glad I have yours to enjoy.
OMG These are just so beautiful. Made me wonder, once again, what I am doing here sitting on my desk, when there’s a whole world out there.
The canoes are are my favorites also. I see nothing but the inside of Diaper Genie and my computer monitor at work day in day out. These help me to escape…
That lodge looks very inviting, like a great place to take refuge in a snow storm and have some hot chocolate with marshmallows…..:); I really like the picture with the canoes; the color contrast is outstanding………continue to inspire….:)…….Kim
I’m going to be heading up that way this week! Finally getting out of the Ontario bubble! Although I’m an environmentalist I barely ever spend any time in all this beautiful nature Canada has to offer!
I love the area. I hope to make it up to this part of the world and catch some Northern Lights in this kind of beautiful setting. Thanks for the inspiration.
And you didn’t invite me?! I’m hurt.
Beautiful, beautiful photos! If I had to pick only one, I’d say the one with the canoes — I love the bright colors against the grays of the shore.
Good grief, Patrick! Hundreds of people come here to see your photographs. They are the best, of course. I see an occasional bowl-me-over photograph posted by a professional or a happy-accident one by an enthusiast, but your work is consistently superb, fresh, interesting and generally wonderful.
The boats here are just eye candy (if anybody says that anymore…)
The pics are fantastic. They make me want to paint again. You have a gift and I am glad you share it with us.
These are spectacular!
My favourite is the one of the canoes…stunning.
Cheers,
Laura
Excellent!
With the many comments here – its like everyone shouting for your attention ~ LOL!
Anyway, love the reflection on the bluuuuuuue lake – wish i was there to enjoy presence of the awesome nature, fill my lungs with fresh air and do some canoeing.
The 2nd photo for me Patrick
The Mountains mirrored in the lake – stunning!
B-E-A-utiful!!
Simply Superb……Would love to be there……!!!!!
Gorgeous work on all your posts.
Beautiful!
omword! These are so completely beautiful Patrick! I love them! Thankyou!
Such beautiful colours! amazing photography! xoxo
Love the shot of the brightly coloured canoes against the grey….beautiful and breathtaking as always!
The boats and the mountains are stunning. Well done.
It’s easy to see in your photographs why people want to fly like a bird.
It’s easy to see from your images why people want to fly like a bird. Lovely.
Nice work. Such a paintery feel to them.
Loving them all, the second and the third are spectacular
That second image is simply beautiful – I’m glad the sun came through for you!
Absolutely exquisite!
I’m sure everyone above has already exhausted every word in the dictionary to describe the photographs… I’m speechless…
You are such a gifted individual, these works of art are amazing.
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This is my favorite lake in the whole world. The last time I was there I was 9 years old and the energy of the place forever printed itself on my heart. Thank you for capturing what I remember.
Amazing photography. Stunning views. I love all of them.
Those pink clouds are gorgeous.
You are a FANTASTIC photographer… What a gift!!!
nice picture bro!
What camera are you shooting with? Amazing shots!
Love that you got up before dawn to do this, and love whoever chose to paint those canoes! Thanks for another wonderful journey – your standards are very high!
You know what these photos do? They prove that heaven exists…on Earth. Long live Canada and her bountiful landscape.
Stunning, stunning, STUNNING! I love your work
. Xx P
Love the boats on the shore…great colours
amazing photos, patrick! your eyes must be very happy for seeing all these..
Breathtaking! What a beautiful place to wake up.
I have fever so I’m stuck at home but these shots just made me day!
Wow, fabulous fabulous photos. I’m absolutely mesmerised by so many of the images on your site. Like so many others I’m especially taken with the beautiful colours in the photos of the canoes.
Damn nice pictures
Wow… Everything you have portrayed is just so beautiful.
hey man! thanks for following. your photography is incredible!
Reblogged this on The Daily Apple and commented:
Places to go
Awesome pics!!
Your talent is absolutely amazing! If I commented on every photo I love, I’d never get any writing done, but I just have to tell you your work is epic!
holy crap! i’ll have to get there someday….
You have transported me to my childhood and the couple of very special years I spent in Calgary as a child. I think I have an old polaroid…taken from about the same spot…. Thank you for sharing your gift and love of photography with us! Truly stunning..xox
wow, that light! stunning.
Beautiful
Beautiful images!
Wow so beautiful…have you ever tried slow shutter speed technique with black and white. your photo is gonna be awesome
Hello, Thank you for dropping by my blog. I hope I was able to share some insights and ideas no matter how mundane some of them may be lol.
By the way, I can sense the passion you’ve put into this, your WORK is absolutely stunning and breathtaking!. Keep it up.
Great photos Sir! And thanks for the like! Ben
It looks incredible!
i cried
Truly fabulous shots!!
One of my favourite places
When I was scrolling down your homepage I was actually sat here with my mouth hanging open and every few seconds all I could manage was “oh my God..”. These pictures are breathtaking. I love the fact that (although I’ve never been to these places and probably won’t get the chance) the pictures make me feel like I am there with the photographer. Stunning, absolutely stunning.
Thanks for the likes on my page! Your work is breathtaking!
Love the two different aspects showing the water as two different blues … where you hiked down to the canoes that aqua colour looks decidedly *chilly* and glacial . Brrr
A great Canadian photo essay by a master.
Your photo’s always look better than when I remember being there, wow!
Hi Patrick, Amazing photos! We were married in Lake Louise, and spent some great memories at Moraine Lake. Thanks for sharing your gift and stirring our imagination, memories and our everyday eyes that sometimes forget to stop for just another moment…
Beautiful pictures!
Breathe taking photos!!!
I really love both of your sites! The photography is fascinating… The vibrant lake photographs above very much caught my eye with the vibrant blues and how you caught the expanse of the mountains! Breathtaking! I’m adding your sites to my artist and blogroll links…
Wow! Those lake shots are off the hook!
Holy shit Patrick!
These pictures are amazing!
Just wow…
My favorite FAVORITE is the lodge photo. Just breathtaking!
Oh my God! breath taking…
Beautiful photos. Love the one of the canoes.
As you may know, Ansel Adams once said that the secret to taking good photographs was “knowing where to stand.” You are taking some major hikes to get there, but you are finding the right places to stand! Congratulations on uniformly fine work.
Stunning shots!!!Good on ya!
Surreal.
LOVE the pic above the canoes…would love to be there!
Wow these photos really are incredible. Thanks for stopping by i hate sweatpants
You might like some of my photos from my trip to Italy.
It is often so hard for a photograph to capture the stunning grandure of a beautiful place such as Morraine Lake. You have done just that — So georgeous!!!
Lovely spot. The lodge looks warm and inviting…this time of year can’t help thinking of a jack-o-lantern!
Beautiful pictures, amazing sites!
Very impressive and inspiring photos!
Great shots! I enjoyed the Lake shot at sunrise, peaceful and serene. The next shot with the canoes was great – you really made the canoes pop.
Sublime images. Wish I lived somewhere as gorgeous as this!
Loving the pictures.
These pictures are just so overwhelmingly beautiful.
Thanks for the pics of home! We saw the full moon in Ukraine on the horizon this month but it didn’t look like a Harvest Moon (although we did sing some Neil young!) thanks for visiting the blog and commenting! Love your photos!
beautiful photography! i love how you incorporate the canoes… awesome!
wow! your pictures are amazing!
Stunning photos. I have many fond memories of the Moraine Lake rock pile and the surrounding trail system. Larch Valley stands out. And the old twenty dollar bill. Cheers.
Beautiful! Looks like such a lovely place to visit.
Just breathtaking!
Awesome! You’re good keep it up, bro.
My favourite is the second photo above; stunning!
Amazingincrediblepectacular.
Ohhh wow. Just wow.
1045 is gorgeous!
These photos are beautiful <3 I love them.
These pictures are so inspiring. I can spend hours looking at them and savoring their beauty…
I miss the Rockies!
Beautiful photography!! Blessings to you …and thank you for sharing your awesome pictures with us…mastersheart
I love the brightly colored canoes! It’s as if they were staged for such a lovely photo!
Gorgeous, gorgeous photos, Patrick!!
The pictures are gorgeous!
Beautiful landscapes.
Oh! That second shot just tears my heart out! Wonderful, wonderful.
Wow, your Photo’s are stunning!
Incredibly breathtaking
i can’t even tell you how much your photos make my heart ache in the sweetest of ways. thank you for sharing!
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Wow! Everytime I forget how beautiful life truly is I’m going to come here and look at these photos.
I love the colorful canoes!!
Absolutely beautiful photos, this is why I’d love to visit Canada!
I got the chance to go there few years back. Loved the Tea House there!
Took some pictures, but not as good as yours! Love the canoes
Wow, beautiful photographs! I’m one that, because of my job, has a hard time getting leave time to go to the mountains. Today you have brought them to me. Thanks for sharing
. Thanks for visiting my blog! http://www.ljswordsalad.com
close to perfect. beautiful.
I think this is so beautiful and I am going to Lake Erie and wishing it were here! We are going fishing!
u’re so lucky
I was there a few years ago, your photos brought back many memories. Gorgeous!
What a gorgeous place to paint!! Thanks for ‘painting’ it for us with your camera.
Brings back memories of my hike there. Thanks.
Beautiful photographs!
OMG! Such a lovely place! I wish I could visit Canada.
those colorful boats really stand out great pics.
Those are so beautiful. I want to go there. Right now.
a life of a traveler is indeed the best life ever created by lord.. Each and every picture of yours exhales the fragrance of grass and fog. Four thumbs up!
You do know how to capture a feeling in a still don’t you, it’s a true gift because you allow the reader to see what you see and how you see it in a photo, and then leave us with our own feeling towards it. I love your work. Well done Patrick, I enjoy your sharing. LA
Your photograph of the boats by the waterside is breathtaking- I love all the color- contrasted by the subtle nature surrounding it!
I am in complete awe of your genius – I only hope that one day I can produce art like this… truly amazing! And thanks for the love liking my painting posts… very encouraging
These are all such beautiful pictures. They’re so vivid that they could easily be visual cues for a story. Nicely done, and thanks for following my blog!
You’re photos are definitely thought provoking and it must be amazing traveling to these sights. My favorite photo is the one you use as your header. How much does a print cost for that one
leaves you breatheless
There is such a heartful presence about your work. It’s a beautiful thing to see your journeying through it.
Great post !!!
Wow!