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Larch Valley
Brief Description:
Larch valley provides some great views and alpine meadow terrain at all times of the year. In mid to late September the larch's needles turn brilliant gold, making this hike a special treat.
Trail Access:
Park in the main parking lot for Moraine Lake, 14 km (20 minutes) from Lake Louise drive.
Detailed Trail Information
| Duration | Distance | Level of Difficulty | Elevation Gain |
| full day | 9.5 km / 5.5 mi return | moderate | 545 m / 1800 ft |
Larch Valley is a lovely hike that ends in an open alpine meadow, relatively rare for day hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Follow a well switch-backed trail up a steep hill, which then continues at a more moderate grade passing through Larch Valley and the Minnestimma Lakes. During the wildflower season look for moss campion in bloom. They look like a green pincushion stuck with tiny hot pink flowers. This plant is one of the fastest growing in the alpine, but still takes up to 10 years to bloom. A cushion seven inches across is at least twenty-five years old. Please stay on the trail to protect the fragile alpine plants.
Larch Valley becomes quite busy during the larch season, but there are a number of other trails that feature larches including the Little and Big Beehive trails and Paradise Valley.
This area is also great grizzly bear habitat and may have a warning posted or a trail restriction requiring hikers to hike in tight groups of six people or more. A warning means that a bear has been frequenting the area regularly. The trail restriction is there to protect both hikers and bears. Be sure to hike bear aware and take precautions to prevent encounters on the trail.
Trail Information Courtesy Of: Great Divide Nature Interpretation
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