Trail Ride in Banff

We rode horses along the Bow River in Banff. The horses actually crossed the river in two places.


Jon getting acquainted with his horse.


The trail up the "rockpile" provided a great view of the aquamarine colors of Moraine Lake, a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park. Moraine Lake is about 8 miles from Lake Louise and is located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet.


The water color is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis. I had never heard of rock flour until this trip.


We canoed Moraine Lake (that's Jon in the bow in the Lewis and Clark hat).


Jon surveying the rapids ahead.


We stopped for lunch at the far end of the lake and had some time to do some macro photography.


Wild mushrooms growing near the far end of Moraine Lake.


We hiked around Moraine Lake near Lake Louise but stuck to the trails which did not require parties of four or more due to grizzly bear activity. Bear bells and pepper spray canisters were de rigueur.


On the other end of the wildlife spectrum, however, was the extremely friendly Moraine Lake chipmunk.