We were pleasantly surprised that the Cougar Creek bridge repairs were complete at Canmore and there were 2 lanes each way on the TransCanada to Banff. The weather was mixed sun & cloud and already warmer than Environment Canada’s forecast high of 12 for Banff. Johnston Creek was roaring along so the falls in the canyon were quite impressive:


Tourists at Upper Falls of Johnston Canyon

We made the Ink Pots in 1 hr 30 min and took a snack break in nice conditions. We headed off to go to Larry’s Camp but it was not to be, the bridge across Johnston Creek has been a casualty of the floods:


Johnston Creek: original bridge site and flood relocated bridges 200 metres downstream

So the usual Rambler solution was arrived at: ford the river- not!. Of course, we decided a bushwhack was in order and followed an old trail along the south side of Johnston Creek. This soon petered out but the going was actually fairly easy so we continued and had some interesting views of the power of the floods:


Flood eroded bank along Johnston Creek

There were also good scenic views of the surrounding peaks:


Kathy & Mario enjoy view of Mount Ishbel

In some places the moss in the forest was quite deep:


Deep moss on Johnston Creek bushwhack

After a couple of kilometers or so we had a sunny stop for lunch and then returned. There were lots of flowery meadows interspersed with sections of willow and forest bushwhack:


Meadow walk on south side of Johnston Creek

Paintbrush along Johnston Creek

Back among the mobs of tourists we took a side trip at the lower falls. There is a quite impressive log jam near the lower viewing platform, with most of the trees completely stripped of bark:


Log jam below Lower Falls in Johnston Canyon

Then it was off to the allure of the ice cream stand at the parking lot. We returned via the 1A, every creek along the way is choked with boulders from the flood. After a mandatory stop at Beamers we headed home and encountered torrential rain from Lac des Arcs to the city limits- time to re-evacuate?

Thanks to those who came out: Kathy, Barbara, David, Carolyn & Mario and for trying a very entertaining walkabout above the Ink Pots. Ron, Coordinator/Scribe/Photos.