Route: Johnson Lake
Area: Alberta, Canada
Date of walk: 20th September 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.0 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Mixed clouds and sunshine
On the first day of our holiday in Canada we woke up to grey skies and rain, so we decided to drive from our base in Canmore to nearby Banff and check the conditions there. A small break in the clouds emerged and we decided on a short walk around Johnson Lake, which we’d planned in case of a poor weather day. Johnson Lake is often overlooked on account of its proximity to its better known neighbours in the Banff area, Lake Louise and Lake Moraine
The lake is nestled in the montane zone of the Banff National Park, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. Note that a Parks Canada pass is needed to visit Johnson Lake, as it is located within the National Park. A pass can be purchased at any park gate before Johnson Lake or bought in advance (we bought ours online). Unusually for these parts, the lake is not glacier-fed, making it one of the warmest lakes in the Canadian Rockies
We parked in a large car park near the lake. We were pleased to see that there were only a few cars there and this meant that we passed by just a handful of walkers along the way. I imagine that at peak times and in good weather this would be a very busy place
We set off in an anti-clockwise direction for no particular reason. The obvious path stays close to the lakeshore most of the time and it would be hard to go astray
The conditions were fairly uninspiring at first, but near the half way point sun and blue skies appeared overhead and we enjoyed some wonderful views across the lake to the nearby mountains. Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain in particular were a stunning sight reflected in the crystal clear blue water of Johnson Lake
All too soon we closed the loop and arrived back at the start of a lovely short walk. We’d been very fortunate, as the weather was poor both before and after the walk, but a 90 minute interlude of perfect conditions gifted us a great start to our holiday
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Glaciers in Greenland as we fly from Edinburgh to Calgary, 4,056 miles away
2,795 miles to go as we fly over Greenland. A long way to travel for a few walks, but the reason for our trip is to see our son James who is working in Canada at the moment - the walks are a bonus. After arriving in Calgary we pick up our hire car and drive to Canmore in the Rockies
The many peaks of Rundle seen from Canmore, our base for the next four days. We visited one of the outdoor shops to purchase a new item of walking equipment...
...bear spray. Black bears and grizzly bears inhabit Western Canada. Anyone walking in these parts should carry this and know how to use it in the unlikely event of an encounter
The start of our first walk in Canada as we start the circuit of Johnson Lake
Cloudy skies as we look along the lake, but conditions would rapidly improve
We cross this footbridge and turn left into the woods
We follow a track in the woods which soon becomes a narrow path...
The clouds start to lift and gradually reveal the surrounding mountains...
Occasional breaks in the trees give good views across the lake
We ignore the path on the left and continue through the woodland
We arrive at the far end of the lake and cross a footbridge...
Glimpses of Cascade Mountain through gaps in the clouds
Looking back
Emerald waters of Johnson Lake
View along the length of the lake...
...and a bench from which to admire the view
Rising clouds revealing more towering peaks
Reflections
Mount Rundle in all its glory...
We continue to follow the easy path by the lakeshore...
Looking back to Mount Rundle again
The path enters into woodland
Looking back along Johnson Lake
Another photo of Mount Rundle, hard to resist in these conditions
Approaching the other end of the lake, with Cascade Mountain beyond...
We descend to a bridge and cross over a small stream...
Gilly follows the path back to the start to complete a wonderful circuit of Johnson Lake
A final glance back across Johnson Lake - and great start to our holiday
