Just returned from a trip to Banff, loved loved loved it. Got some good photos but the crowds were elbow to elbow.....going to go back Sept 28th - Oct 5th for a more photography-centric trip. For those who have gone there during Sept/Oct time period, how are the crowds (and weather)? I've read up on it on the Web but would like to hear from the FM group.
Trying to shoot a great Louise/Moraine/Emerald pic with mountain reflections on the water. Any advice on time of day, anything else?
Coming from West Texas makes this a long trip! There are others here that can give more advice than I can on best places to go, but I would suggest you keep a close eye on the fire situation as it could upend your plans. A good junk of the town of Jasper has burnt down, along with nearly 20,000 acres of forest. This was driven at one point by 100kph (~60mph) winds. While all is presently good with Banff and Lake Louise areas, that could change fairly quickly; even if only restrictions are put in place (such as closing hiking trails). Note that one of the biggest factors of the Jasper fire was Pine Bark Beetle damage, which killed a large number of trees years ago in Alberta (I think some areas were described as high as 40% of trees killed). These trees were not managed by Parks Canada (neither by mechanical removal, controlled burns or improved fire breaks) and as they died years or even decades ago they were extremely dry. Not only did they burn rapidly but the burning needles could easily be pushed by wind into new areas and spread the fire quickly. The same situation exists around Banff and Lake Louise.
If you do go, immediately west of Banff is Vermilion Lakes. The road is short (4 or 5km IIRC) but the first part is a small forest, then there is a marshy area and then the lake. There is also a mountain on the far side of the lake, so you have a bit of everything there. I have seen black bear, wolf (only got a butt shot as it retreated into the bush), various birds, a variety of vegetation, occasionally bright-coloured kayaks, etc, so it could be a nice place to spend an early morning or late afternoon.
Thanks EverLearning! We just got back from Banff and I shot quite a few pics at Vermillion.......got a few shots of a bald eagle there, and saw a wolf walking down the Vermillion Road. Also saw a juvenile black bear around Johnston Falls
Jasper was burning when we were there (July 20th - 28th so we JUST got back)
If you are looking for reflections, then morning is best as far as wind goes. Both Moraine and Lake Louise are great early morning images where the surrounding peaks are lit up by the rising sun. There will definitely be way less people at the end of September…my favourite time to visit the Rockies.
Great place to stay is in Field, about 20 minutes from Lake Louise…right near the Emerald lake turnoff. There are many suites to rent at very reasonable prices.
Another suggestion for a morning image is Hector lake and Bow lake on the road to Jasper.
Get to your location early, find the composition you want and then wait for the light. You might get fog lifting from the lakes as the sun rises…makes a great moody photo.
Thanks a lot chez, appreciate it! Hit a lot of places when we were there a week or so ago, but the beautiful reflection shot eluded me, mainly because I got out there with all the crowds. Went to Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Vermillion, 2 Jack, Johnston Canyon, Minnewanka, Cascade Ponds.....would move there if I could!!!
We already booked in Canmore but renting a car.......if getting there early to Louise, do you think there will be any trouble getting parking? Like I mentioned, going Sept 28th and staying a week.
I will try Hector and Bow Lakes......also Peyto which I wanted to go to on this last trip but didn't make it.......a couple of days there was fairly heavy haze due to the burning in Jasper....terrible thing.
I usually only use ND filters on moving water.......would it benefit me to use for Lake shots and a longer exposure time? Also bringing a CPL since I forgot it last time.
shutterbug40 wrote:
Thanks a lot chez, appreciate it! Hit a lot of places when we were there a week or so ago, but the beautiful reflection shot eluded me, mainly because I got out there with all the crowds. Went to Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Vermillion, 2 Jack, Johnston Canyon, Minnewanka, Cascade Ponds.....would move there if I could!!!
We already booked in Canmore but renting a car.......if getting there early to Louise, do you think there will be any trouble getting parking? Like I mentioned, going Sept 28th and staying a week.
I will try Hector and Bow Lakes......also Peyto which I wanted to go to on this last trip but didn't make it.......a couple of days there was fairly heavy haze due to the burning in Jasper....terrible thing.
I usually only use ND filters on moving water.......would it benefit me to use for Lake shots and a longer exposure time? Also bringing a CPL since I forgot it last time.
I don’t use a ND filter on the lakes in the Rockies. The reflection of the peaks is what it’s all about, a ND will wipe out these reflections.
I do use a CPL once in a while…but care needs to be taken if the sky is in the image. You can quickly over do the polarization in the sky making it a phoney colour.
If you are into hiking, a great little hike after taking the Moraine Lake sunrise would be up to Sentinel Pass. It has an amazing fall larch display.
I currently don’t know the details of taking cars into Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. You should try to get info when they will allow cars back to these lakes. My understanding is that there is a bus system in place during the summer.
Why would an ND wipe out reflections? If anything they help enhance them when there is mild wind.
To the OP - not sure it is worth bothering trying to find parking at Louise. There are shuttles running from the Samson Mall to both places, including "sunrise" shuttles that leaves as early as 5am.
Fall color may be past peak in early October, depending on how the year is going... which will not be known till mid September.
If you want solitude January is the time to go. I personally find it prettier in the winter, particularly when it is bitterly cold. Walking out on the lakes and looking back at the coastal mountains is something else. IMO there is nothing prettier than big mountains covered in snow.
