The Banff fun continued. One of the recommended hikes was to Johnston Canyon with several hikes to choose from. We left our campground early as there is limited parking in the area and parking spaces are often taken by mid-morning. It was another beautiful day. The most popular hikes were the shorter hikes to the lower and then upper falls in the canyon. They have installed catwalks anchored to the canyon walls. The picture below one of the “lower” catwalks. Believe me—they go higher! The falls were gorgeous. And a huge thank you to Greg & Helen for adding several pictures in this blog.
From there, you can hike up another 2 miles to an area called the “Ink Pots”, which Greg, Helen, and I hiked to. We watched spring water percolate up through the sand and river gravel. There were 5 blue-green pools, many having black “ink” looking circles which would move around, like an Etch-a-sketch. It was fun to watch the water bubble up and creating various shapes. We ate our packed lunches then headed back. At least most of it was downhill on the way back. We ended with 8-miles for the hike, taking about 4 hours. Two days in a row with lots of hiking; it sounds like it is time for the hot springs!
We had one full day left in Banff and we needed to do laundry before heading to our next stop (as it had no laundry services). We found a coin laundry in the Town of Banff and guess what? It was just a block away from the Wild Flour Bakery. Score! I had watched yummy breakfast sandwiches prepared the last time we were there, so a plan was hatched. After dropping off Murphy at Veronica’s Doggy Daycare for another play session, we headed for the bakery. It was quite chilly that morning (in the 40’s) so luckily, we found a table inside. I had a breakfast egg sandwich with spinach and Arugula pesto served on their homemade sourdough bread. So yummy! The rest of the group had bacon on their delicious breakfast sandwiches. Dave’s hot chocolate had a beautiful flower swirl on top.
Next stop, laundromat. The guys were nice and carried our laundry the few blocks to the coin laundry. It was packed! Helen and I laughed as the laundromat was filled with vacationing couples (including our husbands). It was a small laundry and with the extra bodies, there was not a lot of room to maneuver around. We successfully claimed our washing machines/dryer/folding tables and had a successful laundry visit.
Since the weather was on the cool side (now in the mid-50’s) and we had 2 days of great hiking, it was time to visit Banff Upper Springs (near the Fairmount). The springs bathhouse was officially opened in Spring of 1932 and rivaled the spas of Europe and America with its modern amenities. It was last renovated in 1996. We felt so relaxed after an hour’s hot soak and our muscles much more relaxed.
Before picking up Murphy, we had a late lunch at 3 Bears Brewery in Banff. More yummy food. Helen & each had a Tuna Poke Bowl. Scrumptious.
We next traveled to Glacier National Park, less than 2 hours from Banff. Unfortunately, there was an accident on the two-lane road and we sat for 1 hour 20 minutes for the road to clear. We drove several miles before seeing the accident (a semi and a SUV), so there were lots of people that waited much longer than we did. I hope everyone was okay – we did see two ambulances pass us while waiting.
Dave was concerned the campsite we had booked at the Loop Brook Campground might be too small for Mini-T, so we drove through the nearby Illecillewaet Campground which is first come first serve. We found a site, although tight, then drove over to check out the site next to Greg & Helen. It would have been tight and it was not very level, so we decided to stay at the Illecillewaet Campground. As you can see below, it was pretty tight to ensure the truck was out of the road, but Dave masterfully made it work. However, we can’t have a campfire!
Canada’s Glacier National Park (not to be confused with the Glacier National Park in Montana) is smaller than Banff but offers lots of hikes around the glaciers/mountains. (See above illustration.) Dave’s ankle is getting better, but he didn’t want to injure it further, so he stayed back as Greg, Helen, Murphy and I hiked the Great Glacier Trail on our first full day. We first passed the ruins of the Glacier House, opened in 1886 and it rivaled the hotels in Banff and Lake Louise. However, the railroad that took visitors to the hotel had to shut down in the late 1910’s due to too much dangerous avalanche activity (work crews had been killed trying to clear the tracks). The railroad was re-routed through a tunnel in 1916 and it was difficult for visitors to travel to the hotel. It finally closed in 1925.
The Great Glacier hike was fun and Murphy did great. We had an awesome view from the top while we ate our PB&J’s. As we traveled back down one of the steeper sections, I let Murphy off leash and he navigated the trail behind Greg (who was leading) and in front of Helen and me. It made it much easier for me to hike down without him. The day we hiked was my 1-year anniversary of my fall in Tennessee where I broke my back in 3 places. It is amazing how our bodies can recover from a trauma like that. I was worried I could never hike again and now look! I am so thankful I was spared a worse injury.
On our second full day in Glacier NP, Greg and Helen went on the Glacier Crest trail, a 7.5 mile steep and rocky “black diamond” trail. They were rewarded with awesome views after a tough climb; however, it started to rain with sleet and snow at the top. Yikes!! They rock!
Dave, Murphy, and I did 3 shorter hikes to be kind to his ankle. Each hike was a bit different and we saw more Parks Canada red chairs. The first was called “Rock Garden”. I think it should have been named “Boulder Garden” however, Murphy loved jumping up on the big boulders. The second was to a Hemlock/Ceder Rain Forest (a boardwalk took us through) and I found a red chair! (Although it was wet so I didn’t sit in it). The last was the “Meeting of the Waters” trail which marks the confluence of the Illecillewaet River and the Asulkan Brook. There were 3 red chairs there! Dave sat in one beside the confluence for a photo op. As we were leaving the area, Murphy spied a large boulder and jumped right on up to the top. Wow, has he gotten brave with so much hiking experience.
Here are a few more pictures of the area glaciers and one I neglected to put in last blog of Helen and I on the Consolidation Lakes trail at Moraine Lake, Banff National Park:
We have arrived at our last stop in Canada before crossing back into the lower 48. Anyone who might be thinking of exploring Canada and/or Alaska…just do it!
Thanks for following along and be sure to read the next blog to see where our last stop in Canada was.
Loving the Canadian mountains Brenda, Every day is amazing Dave, and when’s the next hike Murphy.
Outstanding views and hikes. Wish I could be there!!!
Murphy is so fortunate. Reta