Where the wild larches are…
Discover fall’s natural crescendo in Banff National Park.
Every region has its special moment in a season that separates it from the rest - in Banff National Park, as summer ends and autumn begins, we have the time of the golden larches.
For those of us who sometimes see trees as trees, larches are conifer trees, but unlike pine and spruce and fir trees, they drop their needles at the end of the summer season. They are the only evergreen tree that isn’t green through the winter. In the fall, larches change colour from summery green to a stunning vibrant yellow, signifying the first steps into winter. This transition happens in September and can carry over into early October. It’s a brilliant time to be in the Canadian Rockies, where the visual of our vast mountain landscape often carries the heavy lifting for the less diverse colour palette.
Photo: Rockies Family Adventures.
There’s definitely no shortage of larches around our lodge and the surrounding trails (all of the images in this story were taken by our guests and staff) and during September, particularly during the second half of the month, a beautiful show of golden larches is guaranteed.
The short timeframe of the larch colours adds to the beauty of this time of year, and it explains hikers’ larch-hunting craze when they’re peaking. Roadside trails that feature larch trees receive heavy traffic, which can make it difficult to enjoy the natural experience. To find some solitude, you’ll want to venture further into the backcountry – the two options for which are long hiking days or overnighting in larch country. Fortunately, we can help with the latter! There aren’t many day hikers in the Shadow Lake area which we think makes the experience a bit more special.
If the following photos inspire you and you’d like to experience the beauty of larches a little deeper into the mountains, join us in September! Along with the larches, you’ll also be treated to cool hiking temperatures, top-notch meals and the coziness of a full-service backcountry lodge.
