Our Favorite Place In the World (so far) - Sunday, June 26, 2022

Today's drive to Banff National Park, Alberta, was beautiful. The scenery early on was green rolling hills, which gave way to the Canadian Rockies as we drove west to Banff from Calgary. There was major road construction on the southwest side of Calgary, but we went around a little to the south and made it through with only a little confusion on our part. It took us about 5-1/2 hours (including stops) to get to our campground.

Views from the truck as we drove toward Banff...

When we arrived at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court A, we were about an hour before check-in time. The line of RVs ahead of us told us that we weren't the only ones excited about being here. The staff at the check-in booth was friendly and efficient. If our site was empty, they let us in. Ours was empty. Yay!

The campground is surrounded by the Rockies with gorgeous views on all sides. However, due to tall pine trees throughout the campground, we only had the views coming and going. 

As soon as we got the 5th wheel set up in our spacious, pull-through site, we headed out to do a 5 km Volksmarch at Johnston Canyon. Canada's first national park (established in 1885) is Banff. It features Rocky Mountain peaks, ancient glaciers, turquoise glacial lakes, raging rivers, waterfalls, and lots of outdoor adventure. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The last time we were in Banff National Park was years ago, but we remembered how popular all the attractions were. We hoped to find parking at Johnston Canyon. We figured that since it was late afternoon (around 4:00 pm) that we would be past the busiest time of day. Luck was on our side and we found a parking spot.

Johnston Canyon is such a unique hike. We started out going by a restaurant, restrooms, and ice cream stand at the trailhead. Signs gave us the history of the area and interesting tidbits of information.

But the real attraction of the canyon, in my opinion, besides the scenery, is the engineering feat of putting catwalks all along the canyon wall to make the trail!

Bob is on the Johnston Canyon Trail.

The catwalk along Johnston Canyon.

We are here during the spring snowmelt so the 
rivers and waterfalls are full!

You can see how the water carves
the canyon.

Another view of the river and catwalk.

Spectacular canyon walls!

Bob on the catwalk.

I'm enjoying this hike immensely!

Lower Johnston Canyon Falls.

A bridge over the river at Lower
Johnston Canyon Falls.

At Lower Falls, the bridge above leads to a small tunnel. There was a long line to go into the tunnel to get up close to the falls. Only a few people could go in at a time, and you had to wait in line for your turn to go through. Once you look at the falls, you have to turn around and go back out through the tunnel. About six people at a time can go out onto the ledge, but most people were only going out two at a time with their own little group. It took a long time!

The pool at the bottom of Lower Falls.

It is our turn to go into the tunnel. We went in with another couple. The mist of the waterfall got us wet! You can see how full this waterfall is.

Picture of Lower Falls from
the ledge past the tunnel.

This picture was taken on the
ledge (after the cave).

From Lower Falls, there is a trail to Upper Falls; however, I was not feeling well and decided to head back to the truck. Bob continued to Upper Falls. He must have gone at a breakneck pace because it didn't taken him that long to get back to the truck! 

Here are Bob's photos of Upper Falls at Johnston Canyon.

Bob caught a rainbow at the top of Upper Falls!

Johnston Canyon - Upper Falls.

I'm heading back to the car, rapidly, because
I needed the restroom!

After using the restroom, I felt better. Therefore, I went back across the river to the trailhead and ordered a strawberry ice cream cone from the stand there. Mmm. I waited for Bob at the truck.

After Bob returned to the truck, we took a longer route back to the campground and were rewarded by seeing a cluster of female bighorn sheep alongside the road!

The road over the Johnston Canyon river.

Female bighorn sheep!

I love the baby on the right.

Female bighorn sheep.

Female bighorn sheep.

The iconic Mount Rundle.

The return trip to our campground revealed more gorgeous views.

 

       

Our campsite at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court A
in Banff.

Bob went bike riding and took this photo of the elk.

We felt completely rejuvenated on our first foray back into Banff National Park in many years. We are now into the big mountains of the West! We are smiling, happy people.