Parks Canada offers shuttle service for busy larch viewing season

The larch trees are in their full glory this weekend just west of Calgary and Parks Canada willagain be offeringshuttle service to decrease traffic in the area.

Larches are unusual conifers, inthat its needles turn from green to bright yellow before they drop in autumn. There are a number of hot spots around Lake Louise and in YohoNational Park where people go to take in the scenery and one of the most popular is Larch Valley near Moraine Lake.

The shuttle service will take viewers right up to the area for a great view and was first offered in 2013 after the number of larch viewers forced RCMP and parks officials to temporarily close roads in 2012 and 2011.

"All you need to do is get onto the Trans-Canada Highway and about five-and-a-half kilometres outside Lake Louise to the east is an overflow parking area and you can catch a bus from that area up to Moraine Lake," said Alyssa Salloway, spokesperson for Parks Canada.

"It's kind of the golden jewel of larch viewing."

Salloway says the trails can get very busy.

She says anyone looking to take in the view should try to get there early.