Two Jack Lake – Photographing One of Banff National Park's Most Iconic Views
Updated: 5 days ago
Two Jack Lake was one of the first places I visited when I came to Banff National Park years ago. Less than a half-hour's drive from the towns of Banff and Canmore, it’s easy to reach and incredibly rewarding. Across the lake, Mount Rundle rises dramatically above the surrounding evergreen forest, creating one of the most recognizable views in the Canadian Rockies. Its long shoreline offers countless compositions for photography, and I'm still looking for the photograph that captures it just right.
I quickly became familiar with Mount Rundle’s distinctive shape, recognizing it instantly when driving around the area. Each season changes the character of the mountain and surrounding landscape. Summer brings clear views and green trees, fall adds patches of yellow foliage around the lake, and winter transforms the landscape with snow and ice. By spring, the lake begins to reopen and greenery returns.
I’ve returned to Two Jack Lake many times since my first visit, both early in the morning and late in the evening, to photograph it in soft golden hour light. But conditions here can change dramatically, and getting the perfect shot is far from guaranteed.
When the water is still enough, a near-perfect reflection of Mount Rundle can appear in the lake. In mid-summer the peaks are often completely clear of snow, while spring and fall can bring a light dusting that accentuates the mountain's distinctive ridges. On a clear day, Mount Rundle is perfectly visible, while rain or low clouds can obscure the entire mountain. At the right time of morning, warm light catches the mountain ridges, and the right cloud cover can add colour and atmosphere to the surrounding landscape.
As I’ve returned to Banff over the years and expanded my Canadian Rockies portfolio, I’ve continued looking for that Two Jack Lake photograph where everything comes together.
The morning of my most recent visit, the forecast looked promising, and I thought there was a good chance I'd get the conditions I was looking for. I left Canmore about an hour before sunrise, aiming to reach the lakeshore roughly 30 minutes before the sun came up. The drive along the highway was still completely dark as I made my way toward Banff, eventually turning onto the road toward Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka. The sky was just beginning to brighten, and as I turned onto the Minnewanka Loop, the mountains emerged above the trees as dark silhouettes against the gradually lightening blue sky. As the scene brightened, I noticed a dusting of snow on the mountain range above the dark forest – a recent change as of the previous day’s precipitation, falling as snow at higher elevations.
At the lake, the water had a slight ripple, but the reflection of Mount Rundle was mostly intact. As sunrise approached, more people began gathering at the main beach. I walked away from the crowds and continued along the shoreline, looking for a quieter spot and a composition that felt right. Across the lake, I could see campsites tucked into the surrounding woods. Just as the sun finally emerged, a fire briefly flared up at by one of the tents before disappearing again. The clouds above Mount Rundle lit up and the first hints of red appeared on the mountain peaks, while small patches of fall colour began to emerge among the evergreens along the shoreline.
I found the composition I had been looking for and took several shots at different focal lengths as the morning light transformed the landscape and clouds above.
Bring this landscape home – view prints here
Did I finally get that elusive perfect photograph I've been looking for? I'm not quite sure, but it might be the closest I've come. I'll keep coming back to Two Jack Lake, as much for the photography as for the experience of spending time in this beautiful landscape and watching the mountains wake up with the morning light.
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If you’re curious about the gear behind my photos, here is my full setup. I keep it simple to travel light, while ensuring my bases are covered for any scene I might encounter.
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Camera & Lenses
- Nikon Z7ii (my primary landscape camera)
- Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (my wide angle lens for dramatic landscapes and foregrounds)
- Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (my most used all-around landscape lens)
- Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 (perfect when I want to carry just one lens)
Filters
- Polarizer (reduces reflections and enhances skies)
- ND filter (for long-exposure waterfalls and moving clouds)
Support & Carry
- Leofoto LS-324C tripod (stable yet lightweight for travel)
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack (my main camera backpack)
- K&F Concept Camera Backpack (a budget-friendly, high-quality alternative)
I’ve used this kit across Iceland, the Canadian Rockies, the American Southwest, and many other destinations. It's the setup I bring on every photography trip.
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