When we were in the Alberta Visitor's Center, we were advised to not miss going to the falls at Johnson Canyon. It was not too far from the town of Banff. (for UNO: why must there be two ff's, when one would do just as well?) We were certainly glad we stopped. It isn't a long or challenging hike, about a half hour to the lower falls, and an hour to the upper falls. The hike is on catwalks and on paved paths no doubt because of the numbers of people who venture on the hike. The path is an engineering feat in itself.
The hike takes you up about a thousand feet as you walk by Johnson Creek, nestled into a tight canyon. What a beautiful area! The picture on the left is the upper falls (notice the rainbow?), on the right is the lower falls. In case anyone gets to this place, when you finally reach the upper falls be sure to take the path that leads off up the hill away from the creek. It's not marked, but it leads to another viewpoint at the top of the falls. After you're back down, stop in the restaurant for a soft-serve ice cream cone..yum. Buy one and split it though, because they cost $3.50.
Gary Sez: Banff is everything I've ever heard it was. A spectacle not to be missed. But...my personal taste runs to areas that are not overrun with tourists. The town is much like Telluride, Colorado. Cute and touristy. I couldn't get out of there soon enough. Admittedly, we got there on a beautiful, clear Sunday, so naturally it was busy. The views were spectacular though. Banff Park is busy too, but it's big enough to spread the people out some. The Johnson Canyon hike you see pictures of here was pretty busy, and passing baby buggies on the narrow catwalk took a little patience. Really glad we went!
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