Day 11 Johnston Canyon-Banff National Park

We left Cochrane via Hwy 1A for a scenic drive to Banff National Park.  Destination, Johnston Canyon.  The drive is beautiful so if you have some extra time it is worth getting off the 4 laned Hwy 1.


View out the truck window along Hwy 1A

Enroute we completed our good deed for the day when we helped someone out of the snowbank.  Thanks mom for lending us a shovel to bring with us westward. 


Our good deed for the day (Dawson in yellow jacket)

We got to the Canyon mid morning and headed out to hike Lower Falls, Upper Falls and then the Ink pots.  An excellent training hike of 12kms in total with a good climb along the way.  We bought some "grippers" yesterday and were glad to have them. Julie also used new walking poles and found them very helpful. The canyon was spectacular and well worth the long hike.

Julie at the start of the hike

Ice climber at the upper falls Johnston Canyon

Julie and Dawson at the Ink Pots

Julie with her chains on

After hiking we dined at Chateau Lake Louise with Olivia and Colin.  Niece Olivia is out visiting boyfriend Colin who we just met and seems a wonderful young gentleman.  Thanks for joining us for lunch guys.

The last portion of the day was the beautiful drive into Golden BC, where we are staying at University friends of Dawson's ski house (Thanks Paula and Chris).  Lots of trains on those train lines.  Lots of trucks on the road.  An engineering feat crossing these mountains and beautiful.  The roads were dry and visibility wonderful.  Sometimes the road gets closed due to avalanche which is a bummer.  Tomorrow we are back to skiing.  A couple days at Kickinghorse then on to Revelstoke.