Moraine Lake (Valley of the Ten Peaks): what time does it glow at sunrise?
Short answer: 6 Nov 2026: First light on the Ten Peaks at 08:44; the red-to-gold glow lasts until about 09:24. Be at the Rockpile at Moraine Lake by 08:14.
At sunrise the Ten Peaks above Moraine Lake turn pink and orange from the top down, while the lake below is still in shade. It is the most photographed sunrise in the Canadian Rockies.
Fri 6 November 2026
First light 08:44
First light on the Ten Peaks at 08:44; the red-to-gold glow lasts until about 09:24. Be at the Rockpile at Moraine Lake by 08:14.
| 08:14 | Arrive at the Rockpile at Moraine Lake |
| 08:44 | First light: the very top turns red |
| 08:49 | Sunrise on a flat horizon here (the valley stays in shade longer) |
| 09:24 | Glow fades to gold, then white |
Plan it
Private cars are not allowed on Moraine Lake Road: use Parks Canada shuttles or a sunrise tour. The road is open from June to mid-October. The glow needs a clear sky towards the east as well as over the peak.
Through the year
| 15th of | First light | Glow |
|---|---|---|
| January | 09:39 | 09:39–10:24 |
| February | 08:55 | 08:55–09:33 |
| March | 07:56 | 07:56–08:31 |
| April | 06:46 | 06:46–07:23 |
| May | 05:50 | 05:50–06:31 |
| June | 05:24 | 05:24–06:08 |
| July | 05:42 | 05:42–06:25 |
| August | 06:28 | 06:28–07:06 |
| September | 07:17 | 07:17–07:52 |
| October | 08:06 | 08:06–08:42 |
| November | 08:59 | 08:59–09:41 |
| December | 09:39 | 09:39–10:26 |
Moraine Lake by month
Questions
What time is the sunrise glow on the Ten Peaks?
6 Nov 2026: First light on the Ten Peaks at 08:44; the red-to-gold glow lasts until about 09:24. Be at the Rockpile at Moraine Lake by 08:14. The time moves through the year; pick your date above.
How much earlier does the Ten Peaks catch the sun than the valley?
About 5 minutes before a sunrise on a flat horizon at the Rockpile at Moraine Lake, and the valley itself stays in the mountains' shadow for longer.
Which month has the earliest and latest first light?
January 09:39, February 08:55, March 07:56, April 06:46, May 05:50, June 05:24, July 05:42, August 06:28, September 07:17, October 08:06, November 08:59, December 09:39 (15th of each month).
How is this calculated?
A summit high above its surroundings looks down on its own horizon, so it sees the sun before anything below it. For each date we find the moment the sun's upper edge clears the skyline as seen from the summit (allowing for the dip of the horizon, refraction and higher ridges nearby). The red, then orange, then gold glow lasts until the sun is about 5° higher. Expect the real moment within about 5 minutes.
Summit 3,424 m. Times are local (America/Edmonton).