Photographs and Stories of Travel and Special Events in Canada and Around the World
The Summer of 2024: Two Beautiful Day Trips to the Stunning Johnston Canyon and the Rapids in the Kananaskis River
At the start of the Johnston Canyon trail, a distance guide map to the Lower and Upper Falls and beyond Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
The weather in the last several weeks has been unpredictable in Alberta. The wildfires in Jasper National Park have affected the livelihood of thousands and disrupted travel plans for thousands in Canada and around the world who wanted to experience the beauty of Aberta’s largest national park.
My day trip decisions are made first thing in the morning. If the weather forecast is good, and I feel I have time on my side I JUST GO, because the distances are so short from Calgary. For the week of August 5, 2024, I did the famed Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A, which runs between Banff and Lake Louise) for the first time in summer. I did the trail during my first autumn in Calgary in 2022. I wanted to experience the canyon in winter, so I was there with cleats at the start of the New Year, January 1, 2024! Kananaskis country is so close to me that I can touch it. So, I remained focused and went to Canoe Meadows, which is close to Hwy 1. I then drove to Kananaskis Village, had lunch under the sun, and returned home.
JOHNSTON CANYON AND THE BOW VALLEY PARKWAY, BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Diverse landscape, Johnston Canyon! Wildflowers along the Johnston Canyon trail, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The heavily forested area at the start of Johnston Canyon trail, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Originating at Castle Mountain, the gushing waters of Johnston Creek flow through Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Johnston Creek flows through the Johnston Canyon as visitors safely walk along a guarded trail, Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Diverse landscape, Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of Lower Falls, Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Lower Falls, as visitors line up to get a closer view of the Falls from the cave entry seen at right, Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Motorists and hikers share the road as they approach the iconic Castle Mountain, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Elk crosses a lagoon off the Bow River, near Castle Junction, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, August 8, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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RAPIDS, CANOE MEADOWS, KANANASKIS COUNTRY
A beautiful view of the Kananaskis River from a lookout point at Canoe Meadows Day Use Area, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta; August 11, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Rafters get a thrill as they go over the rapids in the Kananaskis River near the Canoe Meadows Day Use Area, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta; August 11, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A surfer keeps afloat on his surfboard in the rapids of the Kananaskis River near the Canoe Meadows Day Use Area, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta; August 11, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The Kananaskis River Rapids offers a challenging environment to participants of the Canfest Ball Race who try and move their designated (numbered) rubber balls to the finish line; Canoe Meadows Day Use Area, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta; August 11, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The Kananaskis River Rapids offers a solid challenge for participants in the Canfest Ball Race as they try to move their designated (numbered) rubber balls towards the finish line; Kananaskis River, Canoe Meadows Day Use Area, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta; August 11, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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….AND LUIS OF SPANISH ORIGINS
How can I forget Luis? When I met him at Barrier Dam in Kananaskis Country, I loved his Harley-Davidson motorbike. He told me that, during a good season, he rides around North America 25,000 km — his favourite places are North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee, where he says biking is simply majestic.
Luis with his shiny Harley-Davidson, which he rides 25,000 km in a good season! Barrier Dam, Kananaskis Country, August 11, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: August 11, 2024.
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Stunning pictures.