Peak larch viewing season spurs 2-hour shuttle lineups in Banff National Park

As larch needles turn bright gold in the Rocky Mountains, thousands of tourists are converging on Moraine Lake in Banff National Park to get a closer look

But the increased numbers flocking to see the golden larch trees change colour during Canada's 150 birthday celebration yearhave led to long waits to hike up the Larch Valley Trail, near Moraine Lake justsouth of Lake Louise.

• National park's temporary closure due to overcrowding not expected to happen elsewhere, Parks says

Moraine Lake and the surrounding Valley of the 10 Peaks is so renowned for its natural beauty that it earned the nickname "$20 view" after beingfeatured on the back of the 1969 and 1979 $20 bill.

This past weekend, visitors were told it would be up to a two-hour wait for shuttles tothe trailhead.

Richard Dupuis, acting visitor experience manager for Parks Canada in Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay, said the popular hiking spot has been "inundated" with visitors.

"Consistently, almost every day, we're moving about 1,200 to 1,300 people,"Dupuissaid.

Parks Canada says plan ahead

The Lake Louise area is so popular that Parks Canada runs a free shuttle bus from Banff to the hamlet of Lake Louise and from the hamlet to the lake itself in a bid to ease traffic from May to October.Lake Louise Ski Resort also offers a free shuttle from its summer gondola to the hamlet and Lake Louise.

And all summer there are private shuttles for a fee to Moraine Lake once its parking lot is full which often happens by 7 or 8 a.m. and prompts the closure of the access road until parking is available.

Because the lure of the larches makes the influx of visitors to theMoraine Lake area soareven more in the fall, Parks Canada has addedfree, daily shuttles there from Sept. 11 to Oct. 9.

It also increased the number of shuttles dailythis year from sevento 10, with that number going up to12 on the weekends.

The shuttles have been helpingmanagetraffic in the park,Dupuissaid.

Dupuissaid there are long waits to hikeLarch Valley Trail every year, butadded the large number ofvisitors attracted to the park by free entryduring Canada 150 means people should plan ahead.

"What I really strongly recommend is people plan ahead, come early," he said. "The time of day makes a big difference in your experience."

Busesleave from the Lake Louise overflow parking lot to Moraine Lake every 15 to 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last shuttle from Moraine Lake heading back toLake Louiseleavingat 5:40 p.m.

Where else to see the trees

Dupuis said there are many other options for visitors who want to see the golden larch trees but don't want to roll the dice on waiting for a shuttle or finding a parking spot.

Taylor Lake,Lake Agnes,Healy Pass andBoulder Pass are all good alternatives to see the golden needles, he said.

Dupuis said the larch trees typically grow at a higher elevation, which is why Moraine Lake is such a popular spot to see them.

Parks Canada have a list of all the trails where you can see the golden larch trees on their website.

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