Larch Valley & Moraine Lake
Trail · Alberta — Canadian Rockies
The most sought-after larch hike in the Rockies climbs from Moraine Lake through subalpine meadows where entire larch forests turn gold for roughly two weeks in late September. Shuttle reservations and early starts are essential once the color turns.
Don’t miss
Peak: September 11–September 15
Color builds from August 24 · mostly bare by October 2
Sampled at Larch Valley & Moraine Lake’s own coordinates and elevation (1889 m) rather than a regional average.
Alberta — Canadian Rockies is sampled at 163 weather points, with no published peak dates to correct it against yet. Alberta — Canadian Rockies is running 9 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to Larch Valley & Moraine Lake
You get about 29 days of color here, from the first turn through to roughly September 22. That is about 12 days earlier than Alberta as a whole. Height explains the gap, since this sits at 1,889 m. The elevation is 1,889 m, which pulls the turn earlier.
Larch Valley & Moraine Lake on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Alberta — Canadian Rockies, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When does Larch Valley & Moraine Lake peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for September 11–September 15 (best estimate September 13). Color starts around August 24 and is mostly bare by October 2.
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