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Eiffel Lake - Wenkchemna Pass

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Valley of Ten PeaksPanoramic View of Valley of Ten Peaks above Moraine Lake from Wenkchemna Pass. More info

High Res: 10209 x 2905, 16.6 MB
Price: 20 USD

Panoramic view of Valley of Ten Peaks from 2610m windswept Wenhchemna Pass

June 22, 2015

Valley of Ten Peaks is one of most recognizable areas in Banff National Park.  Picture of Moraine Lake used to be on 20-dollar Canadian bill for a long time.  As such it is also one of most popular - in summer season parking is very hard to find, and vehicles often can often be found at side of Moraine access road for kilometers before the lake.   During the prime larch season in 2nd half of September road often gets closed and park shuttles visitors from overflow parking couple of kilometers before Lake Louise turnoff from Trans-Canada (common practice in most popular US National Parks such as Yosemite, Arches, Zion, etc.)

Several prime hiking trail radiate from Moraine Lake parking lot.  Parks Canada impose group of 4 restriction for months of July - October.  This is hardly necessary since area is so busy any bears have left long time ago.  If by yourself or in small group during these months, common practice is to simply tag along with someone to the alpine.  Note that in winter Moraine road is not plowed; whole area falls back to nature undisturbed by humans. Cross-country skiing from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake is quite popular in these months.

Wenkchemna Pass is high alpine saddle between Mt. Neptuak and Wenkchemna Peak (Peaks 9 and 10) at top of the valley. Maintained park trail climbs above Moraine Lake to junction with Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass, then traverses below slopes of Eiffel Peak and Mt. Wastach to upper valley.  Some people hike just to eiffel lake, but it is worth continuing to the pass which is farther away than it looks.  Slopes below the pass hold snow till mid summer.  On the other side of the pass rough trail drops down to Prospector Valley then links via Opabin Pass with Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park. Note that other side of Opabin Pass holds pocket glacier and is not hiking anymore if you should attempt such traverse.  Other options from the pass include scrambling up the ridge of either Wenkchemna Peak (#10) or Mt. Neptuak (#9).  Both are initially scrambles, but progressively become more and more difficult. Attaining the summit is in the realm of rock climbers, but it is recommended to  climb at least a bit above the pass for ever improving views.  Highly recommended day trip in Louise area, but don't expect solitude.

Note:  As of summer '23, driving to Moraine Lake is not allowed anymore.  Parks Shuttle, Tour Buses or Cycling are alternatives. 

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