Photography Guide

Golden Hour at Moraine Lake

Alberta, Canada — Turquoise glacial lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Golden hour at Moraine Lake varies from 61 minutes in the morning to 61 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 08:42 in January to 08:43 in December. Turquoise glacial lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.

Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour

MonthSunriseSunsetGold AMGold PMSunrise °Sunset °
Jan08:4217:0457m57m124° SE236° SW
Feb07:5717:5848m48m109° ESE250° WSW
Mar07:5819:4844m44m92° E268° W
Apr06:4820:3945m45m73° ENE287° WNW
May05:5321:2849m49m57° ENE302° WNW
Jun05:2822:0254m54m49° NE311° NW
Jul05:4621:5552m52m53° NE307° NW
Aug06:3121:0846m46m66° ENE294° WNW
Sep07:2020:0044m44m84° E276° W
Oct08:0818:5346m46m103° ESE257° WSW
Nov08:0216:5553m53m119° ESE240° WSW
Dec08:4316:3661m61m128° SE232° SW

Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.

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See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date

Frequently Asked Questions

When is golden hour at Moraine Lake?
Golden hour at Moraine Lake varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 61m and evening 61m during the peak month.
What time is sunrise at Moraine Lake?
Sunrise ranges from 08:42 in January to 08:43 in December.
What direction does the sun rise and set at Moraine Lake?
Sunrise bearing shifts from 128° SE in winter to 49° NE in summer. Sunset shifts from 232° SW to 311° NW.
What is the best time of year to photograph Moraine Lake?
For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest.
What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Moraine Lake?
Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 08:02. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Moraine Lake?
Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
Is Moraine Lake good for astrophotography?
Milky Way core visibility is limited from Moraine Lake due to latitude or light conditions. However, star trails and constellation photography are possible year-round during astronomical darkness. Use Heliora to check dark sky hours for your planned date.

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