Johnston Canyon The Ink Pots, and Moose Meadows - Sat, Sep 8 2018

Johnston Canyon The Ink Pots, and Moose Meadows (9/8/2018)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location:Banff National Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Sep 8 2018  10:30 AM  (Carpool Departure: 8:30 AM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Sep 7 2018 6:00:00 PM
Event Duration:5 hours plus driving time
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Event Coordinator(s): Mick
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members & Guests, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Maximum No. Guests:1
Minimum Group Size:4
Maximum No. Guests Per Member:1
Number Registered So Far: 6 (Log in to see who's signed up.)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Adapted from Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies.

Elevation Gain: 330m
Approximate Distance: 12 km

Note: We will be hiking at a relaxed pace and taking short breaks as needed.

People have been visiting Johnston Canyon since the prospector it was named for staked a claim here in the 1880s. Because the features of interest are next to the trail, this is an excellent outing for poor weather days. You may see mule deer, red squirrels, porcupines, gray jays, dippers and common ravens. Johnston Canyon is one of the three known nesting sites for black swifts. The Johnston Creek valley near the Ink Pots is frequented by coyotes, wolves, grizzly bears and elk.

We will follow the popular trail through Johnston Canyon, stopping at the Lower Falls and Upper Falls before heading up to the Ink Pots. The Ink Pots are the outlets of seven cold mineral springs, fed by rainwater and snowmelt that has percolated into the surrounding bedrock. Two of the springs run murky due to the sediments disturbed by the rising water - hence the name Ink Pots. It is extremely important that we stick to the trail here, as the natural vegetation is fragile and cannot withstand constant trampling.

We'll return via Moose Meadows (to avoid the crowds in the canyon). We will have to walk the road for 1.4 km to get back to our cars.

We will stop off in Canmore for a beverage or quick meal, most probably at the Rose and Crown

I may give priority to those willing to drive


Required Items to Bring:
- $ or park pass for entry into Banff National Park
- sturdy hiking shoes or boots
- water
- lunch
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- hiking poles
- gaiters
- camera

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Head west to just past the town of Banff. Turn onto the Bow Valley Parkway (there's a Johnston Canyon sign there) and take it to the Johnston Canyon parking lot.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):300Km
Carpool Departure Time: 8:30 AM
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
** Calgary Transit Info
Carpool Cost: Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $90.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.30, effective Thursday, March 28, 2024). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Wendy W and Lynda H., at content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Cost & Payment:
Voluntary Donations:Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: