The Ink Pots - Banff
Date Walked: 9th May 2013
Distance: 8 miles (13.1 km)
Actual Ascent: 1646 ft (502m)
Time Taken: 3.4 hours
A couple of weeks ago Sarah and I headed out to Johnson Canyon in Banff National Park. I suggested once we had seen the falls we carry on to visit the 'Ink Pots'. These are 5 small geothermal pools located about 3.5km beyond the upper falls. Sarah didn't fancy it so we stopped at the upper falls. Today I decided to return and complete the hike, not really because of some burning desire to see the Ink Pots but because it is low lying and likely to be snow and ice free.
The trail begins at the well signed parking area located 24km north west of Banff on highway 1a. There is ample parking and toilet facilities but this is a heavily visited site in tourist season and it can fill up very quickly. It is worth noting that this hike would be 1or 2 km shorter and probably have a little less ascent by following the 'tourist trail' all the way.
The trail begins at the well signed parking area located 24km north west of Banff on highway 1a. There is ample parking and toilet facilities but this is a heavily visited site in tourist season and it can fill up very quickly. It is worth noting that this hike would be 1or 2 km shorter and probably have a little less ascent by following the 'tourist trail' all the way.
the canyon is pretty much as it was a few weeks ago but with a little less snow and ice and a little more water in the river.
There was an almost constant procession of tourists on the narrow pathways and I decided to take avoiding action by ascending into the forest to pick up the original path to the falls, though overgrown and cluttered with deadfall it did make for a nice quiet hike away from the crowds.
All of the falls were much more active now and even the smaller ones which had almost no water passing over them a couple of weeks ago were now pouring copious quantities of meltwater into beautiful green pools.
At the upper falls I was surprised to see a good quantity of ice still clinging to the rock face even though water had channeled a route out behind it. By the time I had got to the upper falls it was very warm, with temps in the high 20's and trees blocking any breeze that may be around.
at the top of the upper falls another smaller fall had now appeared and fed it's own little green pool, and even here in the strong sunshine ice still clung on to the rocks
Once beyond the interpretive trail that ends at the upper falls, the pathway is still well maintained but far less busy than the earlier stages.
on leaving the falls the pathway climbs steadily for about 2km. The route is forested throughout and there are few views to be had until nearing the top of the climb where a small window opens up on the right hand side of the trail
Where there is a window to the world at the top of the trail the views are magnificent.
after 2km of steady ascent the trail drops over a crest and there follows 1km of descent to a valley floor. Along the descent the trees dwindle and slowly the area opens up.
it is not possible to tire of the views available in the Rocky Mountains, the differing curves and lines of the ridges and the sometimes sheer, sometimes gently sloping faces of the mountains standing high above millions of acres of pine forests. It is an awe inspiring place no matter what the season.
The river that feeds the falls cuts through the valley but much more slowly, it is a wider 'babbling' stream that circles around the Ink Pots and isolates them from the forest.
A small trail traverses the pots with various bridges and intersecting routes, the deep waters of the pools are crystal clear and look so inviting its difficult to resist dipping a toe in.....
The valley itself continues on cutting a path through the hundreds of peaks that tower over its route. I have no time to explore beyond the pots today as the highway closes at 6pm so I need to get back to the carpark by 5:30 to escape in time.
There are only a couple of people up here and it's nice to be able to circle around the pools snapping away unencumbered.
There are a number of nice wooden benches dotted around and I make use of one of them to sit and enjoy the lovely afternoon sunshine and gentle breeze. My usual hiking lunch of a couple of oranges and a tracker bar were enough to attract the interest of a nearby ant colony and I entertained myself watching them dismantle and transport a lump of tracker bar.
The whole site is very small and could rightly be described as an anti climax; not a disappointment because it is a beautiful valley and a nice 'family' spot but the 5 pools are virtually identical in colour and all relatively small. It's a nice afternoon wander but the associated literature/internet sites and tourist information would have you believe it is a little more than that.
There is a short trail that leads away along the river to a small bridge crossing toward the mountains....what a tempting morsel that is, had I been here earlier I would have been drawn further into the mountains I think.
The south facing slopes of the mountains here suggest that the snowpack is almost gone from the heights.....if only that were the case, it will be a few weeks yet before the tops are opened up but I can feel some long days in the mountains approaching soon.
This pool had a constant trickle of bubbles making their way to the surface, no sooner had one reached open air than another was appearing at the bottom of the pool.
This shot shows the whole of the complex of pools and walkways, a great fun place for a family visit but perhaps not one for the 'purist hiker'
As an early season warm up I think there would be few better than this, the crowds along the Johnson Canyon section are off putting but an exploration of the higher forest will get you to the peace of the original pathway.
All in all this is a fine short hike that isn't too strenuous and has a nice little point of interest at the destination, what more could a person want.