Banff/Lake louis sunsets-scenic points
May 13th, 2007, 12:19 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Banff/Lake louis sunsets-scenic points
Hi,
I'll be in Banff/Lake Louis in late May. Can anyone recommend a nice scenic spot to take pictures of the sunset--that's close to a parking lot or hotel? I'd love to be up in the trails somewhere but don't want to stay there after sunset (and be dinner for some bears). Someone suggested a lookout that has a view of LL and the Chateau?
Also, which hotels in Banff/LL/Jasper have GREAT views of mountain/lake? I'd love to take some sunrise pictures but don't want to stray too far from the hotel.
Thanks!
I'll be in Banff/Lake Louis in late May. Can anyone recommend a nice scenic spot to take pictures of the sunset--that's close to a parking lot or hotel? I'd love to be up in the trails somewhere but don't want to stay there after sunset (and be dinner for some bears). Someone suggested a lookout that has a view of LL and the Chateau?
Also, which hotels in Banff/LL/Jasper have GREAT views of mountain/lake? I'd love to take some sunrise pictures but don't want to stray too far from the hotel.
Thanks!
May 13th, 2007, 01:39 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assuming you mean Lake Louise, it is a few miles away from Banff.
Because you are facing west from the chateau with a mountain wall in front of you, most of the best pictures of Lake Louise are taken in the morning because of the angle of the sun.
Because you are facing west from the chateau with a mountain wall in front of you, most of the best pictures of Lake Louise are taken in the morning because of the angle of the sun.
May 14th, 2007, 07:37 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you could hike up to the peak of Fairview Mountain for a good photograph of Lake Louise near sunset.
You would not need to wait until the sun was fully down because in the late afternoon near sunset, the mountain wall of Mt. Victoria puts the lake in a shadow.
You would not need to wait until the sun was fully down because in the late afternoon near sunset, the mountain wall of Mt. Victoria puts the lake in a shadow.
May 14th, 2007, 07:49 PM
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some hotels near great views (in addition to Chateau Lake Louise)--
Moraine Lake Lodge
Emerald Lake Lodge
Both are within easy driving distance of Lake Louise
In Jasper, the Alpine Village (view of Mt Edith Cavell).
Moraine Lake Lodge
Emerald Lake Lodge
Both are within easy driving distance of Lake Louise
In Jasper, the Alpine Village (view of Mt Edith Cavell).
May 15th, 2007, 10:53 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The same problems of sun angle affect Bow Lake. The sun is in your eyes in the late afternoon.
For a great late sunset, Lake O'Hara is great. But getting there takes planning and advanced reservations. And the last bus out is before sunset!! You would need to be staying over night.
I would suggest Moraine Lake, but it too is on an east-west axis. The best views of Moraine Lake are from the east end.
We walked down to the far end from the parking lot and to be honest with you, it did not look like the same lake.
Also, because of the mountains, shadows begin to form on the lake before the sun turns red in the evening.
The same problem is true of Lake Louise. If you are at the western end looking toward Chateau Lake Louise, the whole view suffers. It just does not look the same, at least not to me.
I do not know how well you could do at Lake Minnewanka near Banff. It is close enough to scout the area and see what kind of a photo op it presents.
I would look more for vantage points where I could see reflections of the mountains in the water. I think you will have more opportunities for those kinds of photos than ones of a red sunset.
Peyto Lake is down in a hole, so trying to get a good late sunset shot of it is not possible. Besides, the color of Peyto is best under a full sun. Otherwise the green of the water is not as dramatic, and Peyto is plenty dramatic.
Emerald lake is on the west side of the Great Divide, and you may be able to bet a a sunset picture there because it is in a bowl with flat surroundings. There is a trail around the lake and you have plenty of places to inspect for the best viewing angle.
Chephren Lake has the same problem as the others. Mt. Chephrem rises from the western shore and causes a shadow fairly early.
There are some other lakes that might take a good sunset picture, but they are perhaps too remote.
For a great late sunset, Lake O'Hara is great. But getting there takes planning and advanced reservations. And the last bus out is before sunset!! You would need to be staying over night.
I would suggest Moraine Lake, but it too is on an east-west axis. The best views of Moraine Lake are from the east end.
We walked down to the far end from the parking lot and to be honest with you, it did not look like the same lake.
Also, because of the mountains, shadows begin to form on the lake before the sun turns red in the evening.
The same problem is true of Lake Louise. If you are at the western end looking toward Chateau Lake Louise, the whole view suffers. It just does not look the same, at least not to me.
I do not know how well you could do at Lake Minnewanka near Banff. It is close enough to scout the area and see what kind of a photo op it presents.
I would look more for vantage points where I could see reflections of the mountains in the water. I think you will have more opportunities for those kinds of photos than ones of a red sunset.
Peyto Lake is down in a hole, so trying to get a good late sunset shot of it is not possible. Besides, the color of Peyto is best under a full sun. Otherwise the green of the water is not as dramatic, and Peyto is plenty dramatic.
Emerald lake is on the west side of the Great Divide, and you may be able to bet a a sunset picture there because it is in a bowl with flat surroundings. There is a trail around the lake and you have plenty of places to inspect for the best viewing angle.
Chephren Lake has the same problem as the others. Mt. Chephrem rises from the western shore and causes a shadow fairly early.
There are some other lakes that might take a good sunset picture, but they are perhaps too remote.
May 15th, 2007, 01:38 PM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've seen some great sunset photos taken from the vicinity of Vermilion Lakes, immediately to the west of Banff townsite. That is a shot that appears on quite a few calendars, etc. The thing is that Mount Rundle is just to the east of Banff townsite and, if you stand in the vicinity of Vermilion Lakes at sunset, you can capture in the photo frame Mount Rundle with the incredible pink glow that its rocky surface acquires at that time of day.
Until you've seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn't think that an object that was in the EAST would look so fantastic at sunset. But, counter-intuitive though it may be, Mount Rundle reflects the sunset colours.
Mount Rundle is by no means the only mountain that plays this trick. Pink rocks at sunset are a common feature in the Rockies. However, Mount Rundle is one of the more photogenic mountains.
Besides that, the shot I've just described meets your desire to be close to your hotel.
Until you've seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn't think that an object that was in the EAST would look so fantastic at sunset. But, counter-intuitive though it may be, Mount Rundle reflects the sunset colours.
Mount Rundle is by no means the only mountain that plays this trick. Pink rocks at sunset are a common feature in the Rockies. However, Mount Rundle is one of the more photogenic mountains.
Besides that, the shot I've just described meets your desire to be close to your hotel.
