Banff, night 2

We slept soundly last night, and we're up about 6:45, intending to get an early start on our hike. It didn't quite happen like that, and we were not on our way until about 9:15 after chatting with neighbors, eating, etc.

We also were not aware that the Johnston Canyon trail was among the most popular trails in the park! As we hiked from our campsite across the bridge to the trail head, a bus unloaded a group of Asian tourists. Also, several large family groups and people of all ages with children in strollers and backpack carriers were starting about the same time we were. The trail is paved for about 2.5 km(maybe further) but has a number of narrow walkways suspended in the Canyon over the river. The first stop is about halfway and is a turn out to see the "lower falls," and the trail climbs steadily the whole hike up to the "upper falls." There were 6 waterfalls between the grander upper and lower falls.

Phil used his hiking poles but still lagged a little. We know he has some early emphysema from a test earlier this year, and that could account for why he's not as sure-footed or quick.

Anyway, we turned around at the upper falls instead of going the further 2 miles away to the next site, which was even more uphill. We walked back to the campsite for lunch, and our phones tracked us at 6 miles for the morning already. Right now, mine is showing over 7 miles with all the walking around at the campsite and back and forth to showers and toilet.

We went to town in the afternoon to get provisioned for our next 2 days in Jasper National Park north of us. We'll head out in the morning and it is about 250 miles.Read more