Time: To Ink Pots - 4-5 hours return trip
Distance: 5.8 km (3.6 miles)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 215 metres (700 feet)
Starting Point: Drive west from Banff on the Trans-Canada Hwy. Take the 1A Hwy ( Bow Valley Parkway ) turnoff and continue west 18 km (11 miles) to Johnston Canyon Lodge. Past the lodge, a trail sign at the northern end of the parking lot marks the start of the hike.
Summary: The trail begins as a paved walkway for the first 1.1 km (0.7 miles) to the Lower Falls . Here, the water plunges 10 m (33 feet) into a deeply carved pothole below. The trail becomes slightly more rugged as the hike continues to the Upper Falls (2.7 km/1.7 miles) and Ink Pots. The Upper Falls are dramatic with water cascading down more than 30 m (almost 100 feet). At this point, the trail leaves the creek and widens on route to the Ink Pots. It narrows again for a final descent to the Johnston Valley bottom and the Ink Pots (six clear greenish pools filled with spring water that remains at a constant 1-degree Celsius year-round).
Keep in Mind:
• Johnston Canyon is shaded and moist - bring an extra layer of clothing. Bring ice cleats if doing this hike in the winter or early spring. The trail is very well used and can be very icy.
• Bring a bird book - this canyon is a unique for bird watching.
• Bring a water bottle and snack. Quick water stops are important every 20-30 minutes (more often if it is hot), especially if you are not used to higher elevations.
• Wear appropriate day-hiking shoes for the trail beyond Lower Falls.
• Slow your pace; slow your breathing. Smell the scent from the surrounding spruce, pine and fir forest.
We (Gord & Ursula) found the trail to be extremely icy and turned around after about an hour of fighting it. We promptly went out and bought ice cleats for future opportunities that require them.
The rest (Alicia, Todd, and Mikey) continued on.
