Just keep hiking

Get up early. Just do it.

(This post is coming at you a few days late thanks to lack of service at the time I am writing it.)

My second full day solo road tripping through a portion of Alberta was once again, my alarm clock going off way too early. I dragged my butt out of bed and made my way to Johnston Canyon, recommended by a few friends of mine and I had no idea what to expect, but after years of hiking experience, I am always prepared. Thank goodness. Arriving early meant I was the only one in the parking lot I chose (there are 3, 1 of them you have to pay for. There were a few others trickling in from the other lots.) But for the most part, I had the entire first half of the hike to myself. The waterfalls are breathtaking, the pathway is paved and although narrow at times, very well done to blend into the surroundings. I had plenty of time to stop to appreciate the views and to grab some photos without interacting with another human. Closer to the upper falls, I began to see a few more people but still had plenty of the trail to myself. If you have young kids, are not up to snuff with your cardio or are a quitter, stop here, the rest of the hike to Ink Pots was consistently on an incline for over 3kms with no views and no rest spots. As in shape as I like to pretend I am, the final kilometer and a half was a true test of my capabilities and mental strength. I passed a few other hikers, in pairs or groups who had stopped for food, water and words of encouragement but with no one beside me telling me I needed to keep going, I knew if I stopped then then I would just be hurting more trying to get myself going again.

All I have to say is; my lungs almost exploding and my thighs burning so bad I was worried I was going to start the next accidental fire was SO worth it!! Ink Pots were in one word, magic. I was able to enjoy them alone for well over 30 minutes thanks to my early start and could not take in enough of the beauty. I was enthralled with why they're there, the clearest water I've ever seen and the stunning landscape surrounding them. My way back to my car was significantly easier and I had never been more thankful for starting early because the trail had become absolute mayhem, I was going against the current and many spots could hardly move due to the crowds. This is definitely a must hike if you're in the area but plan to start your hike before 9am!

I have fallen in love with the van life, post hike lunch in the back was quick, easy and cheaper than the market food they had ready for the hungry hikers. I changed out of my hiking clothes and hit the road...next stop, Jasper and the incredible journey along the Columbia Icefields. My advice here is to download your map and favourite Spotify playlist before you get out of Banff (if you're heading North) and to give yourself plenty of time for various stops along the way because you won't be able to resist getting a better look at some of the lookouts you pass. I learned the hard way and neither had a downloaded map or music, thankfully there are lots of signs and even my directionally challenged ass couldn't get lost but it would have been nice to know how much longer on my drive I had. I had planned to stop at Peyto Lake for another quick hike on my way to break up the drive but it was closed so I took advantage of a few of the rest stops to stretch my legs and powered through.

Jasper is astoundingly gorgeous, so similar and yet so different to Banff, the mountains feel more chiseled and less like they're trying to be beautiful and instead are more menacing. The weather driving through the Icefields was outrageous, rain, hail and sunshine all within 5 minutes and a drive straight up the side of a mountain, which I was not anticipating and slightly did not love. I had planned on hiking the Valley of 5 Lakes once I got to Jasper but after my early start, a 12km hike and 3.5 hour drive, I had no energy left in me and decided to listen to my body and take it easy for the night. I had a hot shower (side note: when planning this trip, every blog/review/website told me to pack quarters for Albertan showers and not a single campground yet as required quarters) and went to bed early thanks to the frigid temps and my wet hair but with some of the best views I could have asked for.