The Johnston Canyon hike on the Bow Valley Parkway is always popular during the summer months. It’s a short trail with very gradual elevation gain.While it’s nice in the summer the amount of people on the trail can be a deterrent, my preference is to go during the winter months when it’s quieter. (A bit delayed considering it’s now June)
Continuing on from Saddleback Pass there are a couple other options for extending your hike. I headed up to the summit of Fairview Mountain, the trail from the junction is quite a bit steeper but the views are well worth the effort.
With the rush of people every September to see the larches I got to an early start to hike Saddleback Pass (I had done this hike the year before).
Grassi Lakes is usually a good bet for the first hike of the season. It’s pretty short and not very steep to shake the dust off your legs. You get decent views on the way up and the views at the end are definitely worth it.
I had missed out on visiting Joshua Tree the last time I was in California (Coachella 2013) as a sandstorm was ripping through the valley. The weather this time around was cooperative and we had a nice hot California day in the park.
September brings the larch season in the Rockies, and with that crowds on some of the trails as people flock to see them. I headed up early Friday morning to Lake Louise to do the trail up to Saddleback Pass. Continue reading
cecilia lin photo 