wreckdiver1321
Overlander
Pressing on, we continued to soak up the glory of the Rockies. At this point, the only goal was to see as much rugged mountain terrain as we could. So we pushed farther north towards Jasper. The landscape did not disappoint.
Somehow, the mountains only got bigger.
Not long after, we decided to turn around. We didn't want to go as far as Jasper tonight, and there was still a couple things on the list to do before heading back to the hotel for the night. So we took one last look and a couple photos, and continued on.
Our target for the day was Johnston Canyon, a hike that I had somehow missed entirely when doing my research for our summer trip. Knowing what we would see on this hike, I made good time back to Banff before stopping for lunch at Skoki's, an awesome local place serving up fresh waffles and crepes with real Canadian maple syrup. After the meal, we made for Johnston Canyon.
Arriving at the parking lot, we stopped to put the ice grippers on our shoes, which brought a few chuckles from other visitors, particularly a European group. Undeterred, we hit the trail and it was not long before we were vindicated. About 30 yards in, a steep slope proved to be completely covered in snow and smooth, slippery ice. We made it down without an issue, and continued on our way without stopping, but we did hear some commotion from behind us a little while later. We didn't see the European group again on the trail.
The Johnston Canyon route is one of the more unique hikes I've been on. As you descend, the canyon walls rise up around you, making the scenery even more interesting with a great amount of speed. Eventually, the sights are just plain spectacular.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/FGE1Hr]
In the winter, what were once walls covered in dripping water are now frozen solid.
After a short while, we passed a turn-off to the lower falls, which we decided to pass and look at on our way back.
The catwalk even makes it's way along some exposed rock faces, which give an awesome glimpse at the geology of the canyon.
Eventually, the canyon narrows and feels even more beautiful.
Along the way the trees break open to reveal wonderful scenes in the canyon below. This place is particularly pretty.
Not long after, the catwalk rounds a corner and you are confronted with this great, impressive wall of blue ice.
And if that's not enough, you round the corner and are met with this.
An entire wall, completely covered deep blue icicles. And at the end of it all, a majestic frozen waterfall.
As amazing as the mountains of Banff are, this is also a place that is very special and should not be missed. These impressive walls of ice are humbling and awe-inspiring. I was taken aback by their beauty and ruggedness. Sadly, we had to tear ourselves away from the view and make our way back.
The sun filtering through the valley made for an even more impressive display.
On the way back down, we made sure to stop at the equally impressive and beautiful lower falls. We were not disappointed.
Once off the trail, we went straight back to the hotel for a bit of a freshen up before going to dinner. As we arrived, I checked out the window to see yet another marvelous view of the Bow Valley.
We headed off into Banff, eating at one of our local favorites, the Elk and Oarsman. It's a great little pub with a nice view of Banff Avenue and some really great food. We chatted late into the night as we watched a hockey game and dined on an elk burger, an elk steak, and a steak sandwich. On the way back to the hotel, we detoured slightly to stop at BeaverTails for a... BeaverTail, a delicious pastry that you can top with whatever you like. Stuffed and satisfied, we headed back to the hotel for the night.
Somehow, the mountains only got bigger.
Not long after, we decided to turn around. We didn't want to go as far as Jasper tonight, and there was still a couple things on the list to do before heading back to the hotel for the night. So we took one last look and a couple photos, and continued on.
Our target for the day was Johnston Canyon, a hike that I had somehow missed entirely when doing my research for our summer trip. Knowing what we would see on this hike, I made good time back to Banff before stopping for lunch at Skoki's, an awesome local place serving up fresh waffles and crepes with real Canadian maple syrup. After the meal, we made for Johnston Canyon.
Arriving at the parking lot, we stopped to put the ice grippers on our shoes, which brought a few chuckles from other visitors, particularly a European group. Undeterred, we hit the trail and it was not long before we were vindicated. About 30 yards in, a steep slope proved to be completely covered in snow and smooth, slippery ice. We made it down without an issue, and continued on our way without stopping, but we did hear some commotion from behind us a little while later. We didn't see the European group again on the trail.
The Johnston Canyon route is one of the more unique hikes I've been on. As you descend, the canyon walls rise up around you, making the scenery even more interesting with a great amount of speed. Eventually, the sights are just plain spectacular.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/FGE1Hr]
In the winter, what were once walls covered in dripping water are now frozen solid.
After a short while, we passed a turn-off to the lower falls, which we decided to pass and look at on our way back.
The catwalk even makes it's way along some exposed rock faces, which give an awesome glimpse at the geology of the canyon.
Eventually, the canyon narrows and feels even more beautiful.
Along the way the trees break open to reveal wonderful scenes in the canyon below. This place is particularly pretty.
Not long after, the catwalk rounds a corner and you are confronted with this great, impressive wall of blue ice.
And if that's not enough, you round the corner and are met with this.
An entire wall, completely covered deep blue icicles. And at the end of it all, a majestic frozen waterfall.
As amazing as the mountains of Banff are, this is also a place that is very special and should not be missed. These impressive walls of ice are humbling and awe-inspiring. I was taken aback by their beauty and ruggedness. Sadly, we had to tear ourselves away from the view and make our way back.
The sun filtering through the valley made for an even more impressive display.
On the way back down, we made sure to stop at the equally impressive and beautiful lower falls. We were not disappointed.
Once off the trail, we went straight back to the hotel for a bit of a freshen up before going to dinner. As we arrived, I checked out the window to see yet another marvelous view of the Bow Valley.
We headed off into Banff, eating at one of our local favorites, the Elk and Oarsman. It's a great little pub with a nice view of Banff Avenue and some really great food. We chatted late into the night as we watched a hockey game and dined on an elk burger, an elk steak, and a steak sandwich. On the way back to the hotel, we detoured slightly to stop at BeaverTails for a... BeaverTail, a delicious pastry that you can top with whatever you like. Stuffed and satisfied, we headed back to the hotel for the night.
