Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake sits in the Valley of the Ten Peaks inside Banff National Park, its glacier-fed water turning a vivid turquoise that peaks in color intensity from mid-June through July when snowmelt is at its height. The classic shot is from the Rockpile, a short two-minute scramble up a boulder mound at the lake's eastern end, which gives you an elevated view of the water with all ten peaks lined up behind it. A wide-angle lens works well here to capture the full sweep of the scene, though a short telephoto lets you compress the peaks dramatically. Shoot at sunrise for the best light and to beat the crowds, as the parking lot fills extremely fast and Parks Canada often closes the road by early morning. Consider taking the shuttle from Lake Louise if you want guaranteed access without an early alpine start. (Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada)
