Mount Rundle, Vermillion Lakes, Sunset 2006, Banff National Park

Vermillion Lakes are less than a mile north of the town of Banff (which lies within Banff National Park) on the TransCanada Highway. A well paved road runs north of the three lakes making access easy.

This image was taken the evening of the day we hiked Johnston Canyon (I think I took over 200 images that day). We had visit this area earlier in the day but while the views were beautiful, the photograph results were less than satisfactory because of the angle (more the lack of angle) of the sun combined with thick clouds scattering the light. I can't complain as the same light made for good photography conditions at Johnston Canyon. I looked forward to returning later in the day.

No photograph or series of photographs can adequately portray the scale and motive of Mount Rundle. It is an imposing geological feature visible from all over Banff (the town). According to mountainnature.com:"Few peaks show the dramatic impact of thrust faulting like Mount Rundle. The Mount Rundle Thrust Fault, found at the base of Rundle’s steep eastern slope, allowed massive layers to be pushed eastward several kilometres. Cascade Mountain and the Three Sisters are part of the same thrust sheet." If you look at the town of Banff map I linked to above you'll see that the town lies between Vermillion Lakes and Mount Rundle. Fortunately, the elevation of the lakes permit Rundle to be photographed without either the town or the Banff Springs Hotel in the image.