Moraine Lake   

• Hidden deep within the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, Moraine Lake stands as one of the most photographed places in the world. Surrounded by 10 towering, snow-capped mountains, this glacially fed lake is world-famous for its incredibly vivid turquoise color. This magical blue shade comes from “rock flour” ? fine silt carried into the water by melting glaciers each summer. As sunlight reflects off these particles, the lake glows with an almost unreal brilliance. The lake sits at an elevation of 1,884 meters and is so iconic that it was once featured on the back of Canada’s $20 bill. This specific vantage point is still known today as the “Twenty Dollar View.” Visitors can easily reach this spot by walking up the Rockpile Trail, a short path that offers sweeping views of the azure water set against the rugged peaks. Because the area is so popular, authorities now limit traffic to protect the environment. Today, most visitors must arrive by shuttle bus or bicycle to see the water. Whether travelers come to paddle across its calm surface or to hike the nearby trails, Moraine Lake remains a breathtaking symbol of Canada’s wild beauty. Sung For The Junior Times junior/1775694951/1613368124