Blogs from Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, North America

We have been here before, at this particular Castle Mountain overflow campsite, many times. It is our favourite hangout destination in the Rockies, although we have certainly ventured to other areas in Alberta and British Columbia over the decades. We have travelled to the mountains before children, with children, and now return, full circle, just the two of us again. We have cycled through the mountains, climbing the daunting Roger's Pass not once, but twice. We have motorbiked from Saskatchewan through the Rockies to the west coast; we have hiked Banff’s Sulphur Mountain at least a dozen times, as well as taken on the far more ominous challenge of hiking Castle Mountain. We have canoed the mountain lakes and attempted to kayak the swift flowing streams :) We have not been short on adventures. But the ... read more

We didn't really do all that much today, but we enjoyed what we did. After a good breakfast we left Canmore for Johnston Canyon. Our plan was to hike up the canyon, but when we got there the trail was closed due to a tree that fell across it right at the beginning. Bummer. But we found a park ranger and asked his advice, and he told us of another way to the upper part of the canyon, on what is known as the Moose Meadow trail. Why it's called that I do not know. We saw neither moose nor meadow the whole way. We did see lots of forest, a couple squirrels, butterflies, the most beautiful flowers, and we reached the upper Johnston falls not long before they closed those off too. A couple of ... read more

Johnston Canyon and Moraine Lake Twinning The National Parks people and the government of Canada know that one of the major draws to the Canadian Rockies and the national parklands is the chance for people to see wildlife. So it's a worry that the reproduction rate of some of the big animals has been dropping. In response, there are efforts to buttress up the wildlife habitats and educate people on staying away from critical areas during spring calving and the autumn rutting season. On the highway between the townships of Banff and Lake Louise, the policy of “twinning” is being put into effect. This means high and secure fencing all along both sides of the road, to keep the animals and cars from colliding, which is usually to the detriment of all concerned. This restriction is ... read more

I’d been living in Toronto for the better part of a year and had failed to get out and explore the rest of Canada in this time (bar halloween in Montreal and a weekend in Uxbridge), so I figured it was about time to head west and check out the rockies. My roommate James and I did a bit of quick research and discovered we should plan our trip based on our experience (can put up a tent), equipment (will buy) and fitness (played soccer 3 years ago). We settled on a 7 day hike through Badger Pass, carrying our tent, gear and food with us for the entire 77km hike. I set about spending my entire savings on a sleeping bag, mat, boots, freeze dried food, bear bells, waterproof matches, travel toothpaste and other necessities. ... read more

My daughter loves horse riding, so it was an extra-special treat to go on a horse riding trail. What a fantastic way to see the Rockies! We did cause a bit of confusion when we asked for some riding helmets. It must be a Brit thing, but then when was the last time you saw a cowboy in a helmet. It wouldn’t exactly go with the hard-man image, so we had to do without. We were a bit worried about our six year old daughter high-up on a full sized horse which she couldn't really control and with no helmet. Afterwards we went to Johnston Canyon, which is not far from Banff. There are a number of walks to various points in the canyon, including the lower falls, the upper falls and the rainbow pools. We ... read more