We were off on the early side, for having two teenagers to wrangle out of bed, to do the Bow River to Hoodoos trail. This was on our list because it started right from town. I’m still not 100% sure we followed the trail completely and I wish I would have done a little more research about doing this route as an out and back because the first part was mostly along Tunnel Mountain Road and walking along a road isn’t very impressive but after we got closer to the river it was a beautiful hike. The route is a 6.2 mile loop that is mostly flat and easy and at least when we were out on the trail we ran into very few other hikers. The trail shares the space with mountain bikers, but it is plenty wide so room for everyone.
We found many photo opportunities right up to the beautiful Bow River and ends with a great view of Fairmont Banff Springs!
After a quick stop in downtown Banff for some hot noodles and excellent spring rolls at Peak Cafe (the kids had McDonalds) we drove about 30 minutes out to Johnston Canyon.
Johnston Canyon is a very popular place, likely because the trail is accessible and paved though still a steady climb in places. The catwalk is set above the creek making for beautiful views all along the way. After following the creek for a ways you come to a small dark cave that you can go into for an up close and personal view of the falls. And I say personal because there was a line to get in allowing visitors to go in one at a time to take photos. The wait didn’t take too long and the cave is fun! We recommend going all the way to upper falls if you can do it!
So far the trip had been going without even a small hiccup and then wham! Traffic Jam. And not a Bear Jam, the kind of traffic jam that we had grown to love. This one we would later find out was due to a sinkhole on Trans Canada Highway 1. Instead of 30 minutes back to our hotel to give us all plenty of time to shower and get ready for our fondue dinner we were an hour late for our reservation and almost missed the open kitchen. Shout out to The Grizzly House staff in downtown Banff for holding the reservation made a month ago for an extra hour, right before the kitchen closed. The fondue experience was so fun! If the wood paneled walls, the phones at every table and the kitschy decor aren’t enough, the 70s soundtrack (think Jim Croce, Seals and Crofts, Carly Simon and Carole King) will make your night!
Wanderlust Travel Diary 