Month: May 2020

CATHEDRAL VALLEY

Keri Lostetter Adventures, Capitol Reef National Park, Car Camping, Hikes, National Park, Utah
CATHEDRAL VALLEY

A 57 mile dirt road at the northern end of the park where enormous monoliths soar hundreds of feet high. It’s a vast adventure with a remote one of a kind beauty.

You could do this full drive in a day for sure, however that puts you seeing Temple of the Sun and Moon right in the middle of the day. The sun is bright and it gives the Monoliths a cool, but dull overall color. If you choose to wild camp… you get to view them in all their glory. They glow at sunset and and they are on fire at sunrise. If you’re not a wild camper, make an exception just this one time. Get a little uncomfortable for a night. This is a time that it will be all worth it.

They are cool to see in the middle day sun, but when they’re glowing and on fire, they’re unforgettable.

MIDDAY – SUNSET – SUNRISE

It was amazing to witness. I’ve never seen a rock formation be able to take on so many different colors in light. Even watching the sun set and rise you could constantly see the colors changing every minute. Take a look at our gallery below to view all the colors it turned. We edited with keeping its true tones. It was so beautiful.

SCENIC STOPS:

The Entrance: This might be little but this was big to us. There aren’t a lot of National Park Entrances that are a dirt road. We appreciated this and loved every minute of it.

THE OVERLOOK: Take in the vastness of what Capitol Reef really is about. This is just ONE section of Capitol Reef. There is so much more to explore. Take it in, and make plans to come back.

TEMPLE OF THE STARS: Shortly after the Campground you will descend down the steep portion of the overlook and down into some beautiful monoliths! At first we thought these were temple of the sun and moon, but turns out we were wrong. However, still beautiful to behold.

WALLS OF FINS: Take in the beauty of this beautiful drive, with its thin fluted walls.

GYPSUM SINKHOLE: This 200′ deep and almost 50′ wide sinkhole is worth a visit but hard to photograph.  I tried my best.

LOWER CATHEDRAL VALLEY: A MUST DO. Why go here without seeing the best part? Again, please stay until sunset or wake up at sunrise. Worth every minute. What you’ll find there:

  • TEMPLE OF THE SUN
  • TEMPLE OF THE MOON
  • GLASS MOUNTAIN: Glass mountain was the coolest of the 3 even though its only about 12ft high. Not really a mountain but we did climb to the top and act like it was! It was beautiful and so unique. Remember, resist the urge to take anything. You’re in a national park. Along the Road to Temple of the Sun and Moon follow the sign to the right that directions you to glass mountain. They’re all very close together.

HIKING ROUTES: There are also hikes you can do, unfortunately we didn’t do any on our visit. Take look here and it will give you more details: HIKING ROUTES

CAMPGROUNDS:

  • The Cathedral Valley Campground is a primitive campground with 6 sites. We heard it is hardly ever full, so there is a good chance you can get a spot. The best part is that this campground is fee to those who are up for the adventure.
  • There are around 10 pull offs along the way that you can stay at along the road if you wanted to wild camp.
  • WILD CAMPGROUNDS: There are also 2 larger group wild camping stops closer to The Temple of the Sun and Moon. The closest one that we stayed at is located at 38.458, -111.180 You can see the very tip of the Temple of the Sun. We also had the place to ourselves. At sunset and sunrise. We couldn’t believe it!

LENGTH:

  • 57.6 MILES OR WHENEVER YOU WANT TO TURN AROUND.
  • ALLOT AROUND 6-8 HOURS
Distances from Highway 24 starting on the Hartnet Road (traveling clockwise)
  • Hwy 24 junction to Lower South Desert Overlook – 15.2 miles
  • Hwy 24 junction to Upper South Desert Overlook- 27.2 miles
  • Hwy 24 junction to Cathedral Road Junction- 27.8 miles
  • Hwy 24 junction to Cathedral Valley Campground- 28.1 miles
  • Hwy 24 junction back to Hwy 24 via Cathedral Rd 57.6 miles

TRAVEL DETAILS:

This driving loop takes about 6-8 hours to complete. Most visitors to Cathedral Valley drive the 57.6 mile (92.7 km) loop clockwise, beginning on the Hartnet Road located 11.7 miles (18.8 km) east of the visitor center on Highway 24 and continuing on that for 27.8 miles (44.7 km) to Hartnet Junction. Turn right (north) onto Cathedral Road and driving 29.9 miles (48.0 km) back to Highway 24 will complete the loop. 

We want to first say that you do need a high clearance vehicle if you are going when the Harnett Road River Fjord is high and you have to cross. However, you don’t have to go that way if you don’t have a high clearance vehicle. You can start on the Cathedral Road crossing near Caineville, drive to the Sun and Moon, and then just turn around the way you came. That would be totally worth it and not too long of a drive either. However, if you can, continue on there is so much more to see.

We started at Harnet Road Crossing. It was pretty simple to just follow the road signs that take you all they way down. We did use our Garmin Overlander that has GPS so that helped. I have listed the coordinates below for you.

and then just drive the same way out instead of doing the loop. We went in May and the river bed was dried up. We never got to adventure crossing it you could try that as well. You can read more tips planning and safety here.

GPS COORDINATES

  • Cathedral Valley Entrance Sign: 38.469, – 111.381
  • Temple of the Stars: 38.489, -111.353
  • Gypsum Sink Hole: 38.499, -111.319
  • Temple of the Sun, Moon, and Glass Mountain: 38.499, -111.319

You can always put GPS Coordinates into your map apps and as long as you have it loaded up before you loose service it will work!

GEAR CLOTHING WE NEEDED

With climbing up and down on sandstone it’s best to have good grip hiking shoes or sandals. Here are our favorites.

During those warm summer months just make sure to bring sun screen, a hat, and always extra water. We always like our Days packs with our hydration bladder. Here are a few of our favorites.

CATHEDRAL VALLEY GALLERY

DROPPING-INTO-CATHEDRAL-VALLEY
PARK-DIRT-ROAD-ENTRANCE
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TEMPLE-OF-THE-STARS AT CATHEDRAL VALLEY
CATHEDRAL VALLEY SINK HOLE
CATHEDRAL VALLEY SINK HOLE
CATHEDRAL VALLEY SINK HOLE
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SUNSET APPROACHING TEMPLE OF THE SUN AT CATHEDRAL VALLEY
CATHEDRAL VALLEY GLASS MOUNTAIN
CATHEDRAL VALLEY GLASS MOUNTAIN
CATHEDRAL VALLEY GLASS MOUNTAIN
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TEMPLE OF THE SUN AND MOON AT SUNRISE
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CATHEDRAL-VALLEY
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Sunrise
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After sunrise
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STOVES

Scott Lostetter Car Camping Gear, Gear, GEAR REVIEWS
STOVES

For some reason I’ve always really enjoyed camp stoves. I don’t know if it hearkens back to my pyromaniac stage of youth, but I dig using them. We’ve used quite a few different ones over the years, but I feel we’ve settled on good solutions for our different needs.

We have three stoves that we carry in the Sprinter, each with it’s own specific purpose. 

FULL TIME TRAVEL: ELECTRIC DAY TO DAY USE

For day to day use in the van we have an induction cooktop that runs off of our lithium batteries.This has been an excellent stove as it allows us to cook without having a combustible fuel burning inside and carbon monoxide is a non issue. We also don’t have to worry about figuring out where to get more and transporting propane. As long as we keep the batteries topped of through solar or with our alternator when we drive, we’re good to go. Another bonus has been the temperature control and instant heat when cooking. I used think induction stoves were a gimmick, but I’m sold now.

OUTSIDE COOKING – BEACHSIDE

The next stove we have is a Snow Peak Baja Burner. I’m a sucker for nicely made things and this is a piece of gear that I lusted after for awhile. It’s a single burner that runs off the small isobutane canisters that are commonly used with backpacking stoves. It has a preheat generator in the flame so it can be used with the canister inverted and that allows it to get good fuel flow in colder conditions. It can be used inside the van as a backup if we have any electrical issues, but we carry it mainly because it drops into Snow Peak Iron Grill Table. We use this setup when we want to cook outside or away from the van. It’s pretty awesome. 

CAMPING / BACKPACKING

The final stove we keep on board is the MSR Reactor. It’s not made for traditional cooking, but if you need boiled water there’s nothing better. We have the 1 liter version, but you can also get it with a 1.7L and 2.5L pot. It’s perfect for backpacking when you bring along freeze dried meals. There are other options that are lighter and pack smaller, but when your tired and hungry the simplicity and speed of this setup is appreciated. It’s basically impervious to wind and uses isobutane canisters just like the Snow Peak stove above.

These stove won’t work for everyone and there are so many other options that might be ideal for your use case.

Just like everything in life you can spend a lot or you can spend a little. You can easily spend upwards of $3-$400 on a fantastic Partner Steel stove or $5 on a Coleman white gas stove at a garage sale. They’ll both get the job done, but they each have some tradeoffs.

I’ll break down some of the options that are available. 

Let’s talk fuel.

The most common fuels are: White Gas, Propane, Isobutane, and Butane.

The classic green Coleman stove with the red fuel tank runs off of white gas. This can easily be purchased at Walmart and most hardware stores usually in a gallon or 1 quart container. It is a liquid fuel so you need to careful when transporting it so it doesn’t leak and also when filling up your stove. It takes a little more practice to master the liquid fuel stove as it needs to be pumped up and primed to work. This can be a hassle if you just want to pull your stove out and click it on. Once it’s burning it will need to be pumped up again and the flame adjustment will not be instantaneous. White gas stoves also require a little more maintenance than others. If you like to tinker with things this is your stove. These stoves can be found at garage sales and thrift shops on the cheap. 

Propane is the most common fuel for car camping stoves. It is easily found anywhere that sells camping supplies and they typically come in 1 pound canisters. Stoves that burn propane tend come in the 2 burner variety. Many companies like Coleman, Primus, Camp Chef, and Stansport make comparable models. If you are cooking for larger groups and have room to transport a large stove, a two burner Camp Chef with a griddle can kick out some pancakes in no time. The only bummer about propane is that you are left with empty canisters that need to be disposed of properly when empty. There are adapters that allow you to refill them from a standard 25# tank used with a home grill, but I haven’t tried it. These stoves fire up quickly, some with built in igniters, and usually have good flame adjustability. One other option that we’ve really enjoyed is our Blackstone griddle. It’s like a flat top you would see at a little diner and allows you to cook amazing breakfasts and smashed burgers. Our little 17” version has been awesome for smaller groups, but they have larger versions available.

Isobutane is usually the go to fuel for backpackers. The canisters are not as common as propane and may require a trip to a specialty outdoor store to find them. We’ve had good luck with our local Walmart though. I really like these stove because they pack small and can do double duty for car camping and backpacking. If you have a smaller vehicle this can be a great option. You can choose a stove that mounts on top of the canister or one that has a hose that runs from the top of the canister out to the stove. If you only plan to boil water a top mounted stove is great, but for more involved cooking I would recommend a remote mount setup. I’ve had many different stoves and they all seem to perform well. You can’t go wrong with MSR, Jetboil, Snow Peak, and Kovea. 

Butane is a fuel that is not as commonly used, but if you plan on camping in warmer conditions you should totally check into it. Butane is easily found in a lot of asian markets or restaurant supply stores and can be pretty cheap. The compatible stoves are usually a single burner and are pretty compact. The nice thing about a butane stove is that it can adjusted down to a super low simmer or a raging flame. The setup is quick as a single fuel canister is typically stored inside the stove. There are many different brands out there, but we’ve had good luck with the Japanese brand Iwatani. Gas-One makes a cool butane stove that can be adapted to also run on propane which gives you the ability to run either fuel. Butane tends to struggle when the temperature drops below 40 degrees, so keep that in mind.

I enjoy talking about stoves, so if you have any questions or recommendations on improving this article please reach out and let me know. 

– Scott

THE TANKS TRAIL

Scott Lostetter Adventures, Capitol Reef National Park, Car Camping, Hikes, National Park, Utah
THE TANKS TRAIL

In the course of just one mile, the trail passes a petroglyph panel, several hundred historic signatures, a small natural arch and a sequence of water-filled potholes, and a narrow, rocky side canyon that also has potholes, and dryfalls.

We have attempted this trail twice. Once was when the kids were younger and it was\

LENGTH:

  • 2 MILES –
  • ALLOT AROUND 1.5 HOURS

TRAIL DETAILS:

The parking lot at the end of the road is often quite crowded; arrive early or late in the day to secure a spot. Two trails take off from the Capitol Gorge Trailhead: a steep, moderately strenuous climb to a viewpoint of the Golden Throne and the easy stroll through the gorge. The Capitol Gorge hike begins at the covered picnic area at the road’s terminus and strikes out east into the slender canyon.

Follow the wide and sandy track for around ¼ mile the trail does indeed drop into the wash bottom, where most of the remainder of the hike will stay. Scan the right-hand wall for a peculiar sight of the Pioneer Register of a jumble of names and dates. From here, Capitol Wash slices through the Navajo sandstone, carving a canyon that thins to as little as 15-20 feet wide in several places. The etchings continue—and pick up in frequency—as hikers approach the Pioneer Register, a jumble of names and dates on the left-hand wall roughly 6/10 mile from the trailhead.

After the register, two minor ravines enter from the left and right, followed within minutes by another pair of larger side canyons. To the north is Tanks Draw, which hosts a series of waterpockets accessible by a short spur trail.

The side trip to the Tanks is well-marked and begins approximately 8/10 mile from the trailhead. The trail is rocky and rugged and climbs more than 100 feet over the course of ¼ mile, ending at an attractive drainage boasting—at most times—a half-dozen potholes full of water. The Tanks support one of Capitol Reef’s most interesting microenvironments—check for tadpoles and fairy shrimp, as well as lichens and mosses. The kids loved them and didn’t want to leave! However, when we were there their was only 1 tank with water and it barley had any. Somehow there were tadpoles still living and flourishing in it!

LOCATION

From the Visitor Center, drive south on the Scenic Drive for eight miles, turning left onto the unpaved Capitol Gorge Road. There are spectacular views from the road itself as it hugs the canyon walls. 

GPS COORDINATES

  • 38.2095986, -111.1694514

GEAR CLOTHING WE NEEDED

With climbing up and down on sandstone it’s best to have good grip hiking shoes or sandals. Here are our favorites.

During those warm summer months just make sure to bring sun screen, a hat, and always extra water. We always like our Days packs with our hydration bladder. Here are a few of our favorites.

CAPITOL REEF GALLERY

Capitol-Gorge-Scenic-Drive-Capitol-Reef-National-Park
The-Tanks-Hike-Capitol-Reef-National-Park-4
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FUN FACT:

On the walls before the Pioneer Register are the names of six surveyors near the top of the vertical face—Stewart, Stewart, Hayes, Hurst, Ollrton, Gifford—and the date: September 24, 1911. How—and why—did these adventurous contractors carve their names so high up the canyon wall? The story told today involves what amounted to a pioneer prank. The six contractors conceived an idea: lower one of the members down from the top in a bucket to carve the names, then return a few years later with their families, to whom they would explain with astonishment—lying that they once etched the names standing in the wash bottom—“look at how much the canyon has eroded!” Whether the trick achieved its desired effect remains a mystery.

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GRAND WASH NARROWS TRAIL

Keri Lostetter Adventures, Capitol Reef National Park, Car Camping, Hikes, National Park, Utah
GRAND WASH NARROWS TRAIL

The narrows section of this canyon is short, only about half a mile long. But it is spectacular, and reminds many visitors of a miniature version of the famous Zion Narrows.

We have attempted this trail twice. Once was when the kids were younger and it was a hot summer day around nap time, and they just weren’t having it. We started on the west side and turned around a mile in. It was just one of those days. So we came back a few years later and attempted it from the East side and made it to the Narrows! A little past the narrows. We figured we already did the West side so we turned around and make it a 4 mile hike instead of a 6.

I would say that the East side is the best place to start, and then you can turn around at the Narrows and if you’re feeling good go and Hike Cassidy Arch as well! Sounds like a good day and then you can go rest at camp or enjoy a nice pie or some fresh fruit from the orchard in the fall.

LENGTH:

  • 4 – 6.25 Miles round trip. we went a little beyond the Narrows and then turned around.
  • You can hike back the way you came once you reach Cassidy Arch and the Scenic Road. But there are alternatives, such as having a shuttle waiting at the trailhead on the Scenic Road, or hiking up the Cassidy Arch Trail, onto the Frying Pan Trail, and down into Cohab Canyon. This route would drop hikers back on Highway 24, but 2.84 miles west of the northeastern Grand Wash trailhead.

TRAIL DETAILS:

Grand Wash is a famous gorge that cuts its way through the upper portion of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. The wash connects the Scenic Road as it heads south past Cassidy Arch, to Highway 24 just east of Spring Canyon. The wash is level throughout almost the entire route, though it is full of streambed sediment. Only at the narrow does the trail close in and get tight.

  • GRAND WASH NORTHEAST TRAILHEAD The northeast trailhead is actually the lower end of the canyon, and empties into the Fremont River. The northeast trailhead is just over 300 feet in elevation lower than the southwest trailhead, meaning that there is very little of a noticeable slope throughout the hike.
  • GRAND WASH NARROWS The narrows section of this canyon is short, only about half a mile long. But it is spectacular, and reminds many visitors of a miniature version of the famous Zion Narrows.
  • CASSIDY ARCH TRAIL JUNCTION Cassidy Arch is a large, well-formed arch along the rim of the Waterpocket Fold, just above the junction of Grand Wash and the Scenic Road. The trail takes hikers up above the arch, or onto the Frying Pan Trail, a hike that treks cross-country over the Fold, and down into Cohab Canyon.
  • GRAND WASH SOUTHWEST TRAILHEAD The trailhead is not directly on the junction of Grand Wash and the Scenic Drive. There is a parking area about 300 yards up the wash, just before the trail gets lost between the gargantuan rock walls that loom up above it.

LOCATION

Right off of State Route 24 – 3 miles west of the Visitor Center.

GPS COORDINATES

  • N38 15.829 W111 12.939 — 0.0 miles : Grand Wash Trailhead
  • N38 15.932 W111 12.798 — .2 miles : Cassidy Arch Trail split
  • N38 16.297 W111 12.331 — 1.0 miles : Level travel in sandy wash
  • N38 16.331 W111 12.089 — 1.3 miles : Enter ‘Narrows’ section of canyon
  • N38 16.540 W111 12.028 — 2.0 miles : Lower canyon opens
  • N38 16.691 W111 11.549 — 2.5 miles : Trail ends on Highway 24

GEAR CLOTHING WE NEEDED

With climbing up and down on sandstone it’s best to have good grip hiking shoes or sandals. Here are our favorites.

During those warm summer months just make sure to bring sun screen, a hat, and always extra water. We always like our Days packs with our hydration bladder. Here are a few of our favorites.

CAPITOL REEF GALLERY

GRAND WASH TRAIL
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HICKMAN BRIDGE TRAIL

Keri Lostetter Adventures, Capitol Reef National Park, Car Camping, Hikes, National Park, Utah
HICKMAN BRIDGE TRAIL

A towering 400-foot-tall sandstone pillar, located three miles west of the visitor center off Highway 24 and accessible via a short hiking trail.

The trailhead to Hickman Bridge gives you three hiking options, depending on how much time and energy you have.

LENGTH:

  • The 1.8-mile round-trip walk to Hickman Bridge takes about 1.5 hours, the 4.6-mile round-trip hike to the Rim Overlook (on the Navajo Knobs trail) takes three to four hours, and the 9.4-mile round-trip hike to the Navajo Knobs takes six to eight hours.

TRAIL DETAILS:

The trail to all three of these destinations starts along the Fremont River and then heads down into a wash with a great view of the park’s namesake Capitol Dome.

After 0.2 miles you’ll reach the Hickman Bridge/Navajo Knobs junction. To see Hickman Bridge, a natural sandstone arch, go left. The trail gradually climbs 400 feet through a landscape defined by tall tan rock walls, junipers, cottonwoods, and ancient sand dunes. There are some artifacts of the Fremont people, like the remains of a pit house and of a granary, that you can check out along the way. The trail then comes to a junction, and you can go in either direction to circle beneath the bridge. The Hickman Bridge, which was shaped by flowing water, stands an impressive 125 feet high and is 133 feet long. 

LOCATION

Right off of State Route 24 – 3 miles west of the Visitor Center.

GPS COORDINATES

38.288780, -111.227650

GEAR CLOTHING WE NEEDED

With climbing up and down on sandstone it’s best to have good grip hiking shoes or sandals. Here are our favorites.

During those warm summer months just make sure to bring sun screen, a hat, and always extra water. We always like our Days packs with our hydration bladder. Here are a few of our favorites.

CAPITOL REEF GALLERY

hickman-trail-sign-lillian
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BANFF CAMPGROUND: Tunnel Mountain Village 1

Keri Lostetter Banff, Campsites
BANFF CAMPGROUND: Tunnel Mountain Village 1

With a beautiful view of Sulphur Mountain with lots of tree cover makes for a cozy mountain spot.

We chose Tunnel Mountain Village 1 Campground because Tunnel Mountain 2 was closed for repair. I read a lot of reviews and it seems that 2 is better than 1. However, we loved Tunnel Mountain 1, and would stay their again. Again, I read reviews on the best spot and it seemed that site C50 was one of the only spots out of the trees where you could see the mountains, and they were right. It was one of the larger ones as well. We would recommend it to anyone! Canada also requires you to pay a fire wood charge of $9 and that allows you to take as much wood from their pile as you would like. Yes that’s $9 for endless firewood. However it is only allowed to stay in the campground you got it from so bugs and other items do not spread into other forests. Great idea Canada!

While we were there one of the loops in the campground were closed due to bear activity. So always be Bear Aware.

Once again Alberta parks seriously have it going on.

COST:

$25/night – tent site +1 time fee of $9 for firewood.

$38/night – electrical hookups

AMENITIES:

It is an unserviced campground that has a little more traditional camping experience, as well as mountain views, fire pits for cooking, and access to hiking and biking trails. This campground has options to suit many camping preferences, and has a limited number of large campsites available.

  • 618 unserviced sites – not all sites have fire pits. Reservations recommended
  • Flush toilets, showers, fire pits and firewood, smoke-free areas, sani-dump, theatre and interpretive programs.

LOCATION/ DETAILS:

Banff, AB, T1L 1C3

Located in close proximity to the Town of Banff.

GPS COORDINATES:

51.1915, -115.5202

RESERVATION: / BOOKING/ WHERE TO BOOK

Click Here: Parks Canada Reservation Service

We booked our campground sites in July when we went in September, so if you don’t have to plan too far in advance.

FAVORITE CAMPGROUND APPS/ SITES

You can take a look at what is around you and choose a campground or wild camp for free. These 2 apps are great. (ioverlander is best for international and wild camp travel)

iOverlander
CAMPENDIUM
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BANFF CAMPGROUND TUNNEL MOUNTAIN
BANFF CAMPGROUND TUNNEL MOUNTAIN
FIREWOOD PILE IN BANFF CAMPGROUND
FIRE WOOD PILE IN BANFF CAMPGROUND
BANFF CAMPGROUND TUNNEL MOUNTAIN
BANFF CAMPGROUND TUNNEL MOUNTAIN
BANFF CAMPGROUND TUNNEL MOUNTAIN
BANFF CAMPGROUND TUNNEL MOUNTAIN

 

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JOHNSON CANYON HIKE

Keri Lostetter Adventures, Banff, Car Camping, Hikes, National Park
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE

Take a catwalk with the steep walls of the canyon jutting high above you and the deep blue pools of the creek far below.

Carved steeply into the limestone bedrock by thousands of years of water erosion, the dramatic Johnston Canyon is a must-visit natural attraction in Banff National Park. Overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls, the deep pools of Johnston Creek, and lush forest are sure to leave a memorable impression. And it can all be experienced via an easy hike along smooth trails and catwalks, making it ideal for families and people of all ages.

It’s amazing how much varied scenery you see over the course of the very short 1.7 mile hike.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

LENGTH:

  • 3.5 MILE ROUNDTRIP OR TO THE INK POTS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 3.6 MILES
  • Time to reach lower falls 30 minutes, 1.1 km one way, elevation gain of 30 meters.
  • Time to reach upper falls, one hour , 2.6 km’s one way, elevation gain of 120 meters.
  • Return trip going to both lower and upper falls allow 2 to 2.5 hours.

TRAIL DETAILS:

The trail to the lower falls covers minimal elevation as it works its way through the forest. It then takes you over catwalks alongside Johnston creek and up into the canyon above the rushing waters below. As the trail approaches the lower falls the first site that comes into view is a deep pool that has been created by the plunging water. A bridge crossing the creek serves as an excellent viewing spot, but there is another platform that sits within meters of the falls. To get to it you have to go through a tunnel in the canyon bedrock. Don’t be surprised if you and your camera get misted with water.

The trail to the upper falls covers more elevation as it climbs its through the forest and out of the lower canyon. It works its way back towards the creek and offers several scenic viewpoints, like this small set of cascading waterfalls. There are two viewing areas. The first is accessed by a catwalk that leads to a viewing platform looking across to the bottom of the falls. The other viewing area can be reached by taking a steeper trail to a platform overhanging the gorge. It looks across to the top of the falls that drop a dramatic 40 meters.

The Trail To The Ink Pots Beyond The Upper Falls

The Ink Pots consist of several pools made up of greenish coloured mineral springs that bubble to the surface. If you have time, carry on to the Ink Pots to leave the crowds behind you and get some solitude. From the upper falls the trail is a moderate climb out of the canyon for 3 km’s through the forest. It opens up to a meadow where the Ink Pots sit. The hike from the upper falls to the Ink Pots takes approximately one hour.

The Ink Pots are also accessible via Moose Meadows. This route completely bypasses the Johnston Canyon Trails. The trail head is located 1.4 km’s west of Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway. It is 5.9 km’s one with an elevation gain of 215 meters. Allow 4 hours round trip.


TIPS FOR HIKING:

  • The trail has a lot of shaded areas, it can get cool even in summer months, dress in layers to adjust to the temperature as needed.
  • Pack drinking water and a snack

LOCATION

Johnston Canyon is located 25 kilometres (around 30 minutes’ drive) from the town of Banff and 33 kilometres from Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Highway.

The hiking trail starts at the northern end of the parking lot, right behind Johnston Canyon Lodge.

GPS COORDINATES

51.245748, -115.839925

AMENITIES:

There are washrooms at the parking lot, and a gift shop and restaurant open during summer at the Johnston Canyon Resort.

We promised the kids ice cream or a popsickle after the hike, and turns out they received it at the very end. Their was a cute little gift shop and tiny bar stool restaurant at the end of the hike. It was perfect and unexpected.

The trail to the Lower Falls is stroller and wheelchair accessible – after that there are a few steps.

GEAR CLOTHING WE NEEDED

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JOHNSON CANYON GALLERY

JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF
JOHNSON CANYON HIKE BANFF

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MORAINE LAKE – VALLEY OF THE TEN PEAKS

Keri Lostetter Adventures, Banff, Car Camping, Hikes, National Park
MORAINE LAKE – VALLEY OF THE TEN PEAKS

Sit lakeside and absorb the sights and pure mountain air, or explore further by canoeing and hiking. It’s an iconically jaw-dropping place that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

And guess what is the best part about it? No hike required. Park and Walk up – It’s located 8.7 miles outside the Village of Lake Louise. An absolute must see if you’re going to travel along the Ice Field Parkway.

If you ARE looking for a good hike – there are 5 main hikes starting at the lake. (Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail, Eiffel Lake, Wenkchemna Pass, Larch Valley, and Sentinel Pass) We hope to do those one day! This time we just took in its beauty and took portraits of each other that still hang on our walls today. Memories.

WHEN TO GO:

It is best to go and be there before 10am, because the parking lot feels up. However it is pretty busy during peak season…we went in early September and tried to go twice but the road kept saying closed. Turns out once the parking lot fills up, they don’t allow anyone else up to drive up. It’s best to arrive before 11am or after 5pm for the road to be open easy.

The road to Moraine Lake is closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall and high avalanche risk. Depending on the conditions, the road opens sometime between the third week of May and the first week of June and closes in October after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (the second Monday in October). 

COST

FREE – Just park and walk

Canoe Rentals: $70/ hour

  • You’re also not allowed to put in your own canoe here. You do have to rent them at this lake.

THINGS TO DO:

  • HIKING
    • There are several hikes around the lake ranging from accessible walks to more strenuous hikes. The Rockpile Trail is an easy and short path with switchbacks along the back of the moraine to the top of the natural dam. The vista from the top is known as the “Twenty Dollar View”, as the scene featured on the back of Canadian twenty dollar bills issued between 1969 and 1979. 
    • Venturing further afield offers solitude from the crowds and a different perspective of the lake and its craggy surrounds. Other trails to explore include Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail, Eiffel Lake, Wenkchemna Pass, Larch Valley, and Sentinel Pass. In the fall the larches light up in rich shades of yellow, gold, and orange and paint a surreal backdrop for a hike.
    • During times of high grizzly bear activity there are hiking restrictions in place for many of the trails in the Moraine Lake area. Learn more from the Parks Canada website.
  • CANOEING
    • Can I Bring My Own Canoe Or Kayak To Use At Lake Louise?
      • Yes, you can use your own canoe or kayak at Lake Louise or any of the lakes or rivers within Banff National Park. There’s no public boat launch at Lake Louise. You will have to carry your canoe from the government parking lot area and launch it from shore of the lake. Parks Canada offers more information on paddling in the parks.

LOCATION

It is about a 40 minute drive from Banff to Lake Louise. (80 minutes if you want the scenic route: Bow Valley route 1A.)

From Lake Louise Village, located just off the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), drive uphill on Lake Louise Drive until you see the access road for Moraine Lake on your left. Follow the winding road for 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) to the parking area.

MORAINE LAKE LAKE LOUISE
MORAINE LAKE
MORAINE LAKE
Moraine-Lake-valley-of-the-10-peaks-copy
MORAINE LAKE
MORAINE LAKE
MORAINE LAKE
MORAINE LAKE
MORAINE LAKE
MORAINE LAKE

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ATHABASCA GLACIER TOUR: Columbia Ice Explorer & Skywalk

Keri Lostetter Adventures, Banff, Car Camping, Hikes, Jasper National Park, National Park
ATHABASCA GLACIER TOUR: Columbia Ice Explorer & Skywalk

Travel on a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on, feel and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Then, take a jaw-dropping walk along the glass-floored Skywalk at the cliff’s edge.

If you’ve seen our other posts then you know that we’re normally not the “tour” tourist. We tend to stay with the free hikes, but Banff and Jasper have these amazing packages that include some pretty cool site seeing that we just couldn’t turn down. Part of our Brewster Package was the COLUMBIA ICE EXPLORER. This giant Ice Explorer takes you up on the Athabasca Glacier! You get to walk on this amazing glacier that you’ve been seeing for miles!

And we of course has to have a snow ball fight!

COST

We purchased the JASPER ULTIMATE EXPLORER COMBO PACKAGE from Brewster Pursuit which included: Maligne Lake Cruise, Ice Glacier Explorer, Sky Walk, and the Banff Gondola.

The Total cost for all 4 excursions was $552 for all 4 of us. Which came to $184 /per adult and $92 per kid, however if you divide that by 4 excursions then it comes to $46 per person per excursion.

Ala Carte Pricing For both Ice Explorer and Skywalk.

  • Around $100/ adults and $50 per child.

If you are short on time or only want to do the Sky Walk it is $30/ per person. However, for $20 more you might as well do the Glacier. It was the best part! I think $30 is too expensive for just the Skywalk. Just our opinion.

LENGTH

The Columbia Icefield Adventure (including the Columbia Icefield Skywalk) tours departs every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the daily hours of operation.

The adventure lasts approx. 2.5 to 3 hours round-trip.

You’ll learn how glaciers are formed and see other incredible geological features. The Glacier Adventure operates from mid April to mid October inclusive (weather permitting). Tours depart every 15 minutes so that makes timing really nice!

LOCATION

The Glacier Discovery Centre, located on the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks, offers interpretive exhibits, interpretive scenic walks, self guided trails, dining room, cafeteria, gift shop and over night accommodation. A perfect midway adventure on the Icefield Parkway!

GLACIER EXPLORER GALLERY

ICEFIELD-PARKWAY
INSIDE THE ICE EXPLORER
MORE EXPLORERS COMING
GLACIER-ICE-EXPLORER
ATHABASCA-GLACIER
CANADA PRIDE
2 RED CHAIRS IN CANADA
ATHABASCA GLACIER
Columbia-Ice-Explorer
COLUMBIA ICE EXPLORER
COLUMBIA ICE EXPLORER

SKY WALK GALLERY

GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY
GLACIER SKY WALK ICE FIELD PARKWAY

BOOKING DETAILS:

BOOK YOUR EXCURSIONS:

The first thing I did when I got to town was go and purchase my excursion package. You can also do this online ahead of time as well. The pricing is very reasonable.

We recommend doing the Maligne Lake Tour, Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery that includes the Icefield Skywalk, and the Banff Gondola. They we’re all amazing.

CLICK HERE

GEAR/ CLOTHING WE NEEDED:

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BANFF GONDOLA

Keri Lostetter Adventures, Banff, National Park
BANFF GONDOLA

Take in six incredible mountain ranges from the 360-degree rooftop observation deck as you are surrounded by some greatest alpine views of the Canadian Rockies.

Peering over it seems as if you are looking at a backdrop. It seems fake as if you’re eyes are lying to you. Just remember, it’s real, enjoy it.

It was fun to see the kids fear in their eyes as we went up and back down. haha

However, I will say, if it wasn’t included in the Combo Package we purchased then I wouldn’t pay $200 for a family of 4. I would just hike up to the 360 degree views. I heard there is a pretty awesome hike to get up there as well.

WHY WE CHOSE THIS TOUR

When we booked our tours we had to choose between this Gondola and the Lake Louise one. After lots of research it seemed this one was the best over the Lake Louise and had more stunning views. I can’t argue with the views!

It also has a really nice facility up top that has 2 restaurants, gift shops, and a nice boardwalk that you along to Sulphur Mountain.

COST

The Gondola ride in Banff rates are around $50 per person and up, depending on the season, time of day, the projected volume of visitors, and how far in advance you book your tickets.

We purchased the JASPER ULTIMATE EXPLORER COMBO PACKAGE from Brewster Pursuit which included: Maligne Lake Cruise, Ice Glacier Explorer, Sky Walk, and the Banff Gondola

The Total cost for all 4 excursions was $552 for all 4 of us. Which came to $184 /per adult and $92 per kid, however if you divide that by 4 excursions then it comes to $46 per person per excursion.

LENGTH

How long is a gondola ride? Once on board the chairlift or gondola, the ride to the top is roughly 7-12 minutes. You can spend as long as you want up top. I would say an hour -2 hours.

LOCATION/ DIRECTIONS

The Banff Gondola is located 2.5 km from Banff town centre. From Banff Ave, head south towards the Bow Bridge. Make a left turn after the Bow Bridge onto Mountain Ave and keep to the right lane. Follow Mountain Ave to the very end where you will arrive at the Banff Gondola parking lot on your left.

GALLERY:

BANFF GONDOLA
BANFF GONDOLA
BANFF GONDOLA
BANFF GONDOLA

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