Our National Parks pass arrived several weeks ago, and has been burning a hole in my pocket ever since. Unfortunately, between the kids' busy sports schedules, my constant work travel and a generally nasty winter, a winter day trip just didn't come to fruition. So when a day free of activities, chores and snow storms presented itself last Sunday, we knew we had to hop in the car and go - even if it was for a few hours.
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| Johnston Canyon, March 2017 |
The first stop was
Johnston Canyon. Just off Hwy 1A between Banff and Lake Louise this accessible walk is extremely popular year round. In the spring, summer and fall, you are treated to a lush canyon and roaring waterfalls. My favourite time to visit is in the winter when the waterfalls and canyon freeze into an icy wonderland, and the views did not fail this trip (see below for additional pictures).
The trail is normally quite benign - a mix of paved path and boardwalk along the canyon's edge. The heavy snows, constant use, and recent freeze/thaw had turned the top layer into a sheet of sheer ice. Even with appropriate winter foot wear, the walk was extremely treacherous with a number of sections where you needed to let yourself slide down a hill or use the hand rail to pull yourself up. The kids, of course, thought this was awesome. Many adults, particularly those with less than adequate footwear (dress boots, running shoes), found it to be a struggle. My advice if you would like to take this hike in the winter, especially if you'd like to make it past the lower falls, would be to bring a pair of crampons - those that had them, easily breezed past the rest of us.
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| Cave and Basin National Historic Site, March 2017 |
The next stop was
Cave and Basin National Historic Site, so named for the mineral springs that were found within a grotto cave and adjacent basin. The springs, which had long been used by the local Indigenous Peoples, were "discovered" by three CPR employees (as depicted in the mural to the left). An ensuing legal battle over ownership of the springs garnered the attention of the Federal government, and resulted in the creation of Canada's first national park to protect the area. I found it fitting to start our exploration of Canada and its historic places at the site that started it all.
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| Cave and Basin National Historic Site, March 2017 |
As a child, I remember visiting Cave and Basin to soak in the springs, and the old pool deck is still visible. The pool was closed in 1992 (only the Upper Springs remain open to bathers) in part to protect the endangered Hot Springs snails that can be found only in these waters. You can still tour the interpretive displays and the grotto itself. There are also a few small interpretive hiking trails outside the centre, which we did not do this trip.
Of course, no excursion to Banff would be complete without a walk down Main Street and a visit to the
Banff Sweet Shoppe. Bags of candy in hand, we had dinner at another Banff institution -
Bumpers Beef House, a traditional Prime Rib and Steak house - before heading home.
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| Johnston Canyon, March 2017 |
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| Johnston Canyon, March 2017 |
Our National Parks pass arrived several weeks ago, and has been burning a hole in my pocket ever since. Unfortunately, between the kids' busy sports schedules, my constant work travel and a generally nasty winter, a winter day trip just didn't come to fruition. So when a day free of activities, chores and snow storms presented itself last Sunday, we knew we had to hop in the car and go - even if it was for a few hours.
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