Johnston Creek (Alberta)

Johnston Creek
Upper Falls in Johnston Canyon
Basin
Main source	Badger Pass, Pulsatilla Pass 51°24′33″N 115°53′45″W / 51.40911°N 115.89576°W / 51.40911; -115.89576 (Johnston Canyon headwaters)
Source elevation	2,500 meters (8,200 ft)
River mouth	Bow River 51°14′29″N 115°51′10″W / 51.24148°N 115.85289°W / 51.24148; -115.85289 (Johnston Canyon mouth)
Mouth elevation	1,440 meters (4,720 ft)
Country	Canada

Johnston Creek is a tributary of the Bow River in Canada's Rocky Mountains. The creek is located in Banff National Park.

Course

Johnston Creek originates north of Castle Mountain in a glacial valley southwest of Badger Pass and south of Pulsatilla Pass, at an elevation of 2,500 meters (8,200 ft). The creek flows southeast between Helena Ridge and the Sawback Range, and then south through a gorge known as Johnston Canyon. The stream empties into the Bow River, south of Castle Mountain, between Banff and Lake Louise, at an elevation of 1,440 meters (4,720 ft).

Johnston Canyon

As Johnston Creek approaches the Bow River, it flows through a large canyon formed by erosion over thousands of years. The creek has cut through the limestone rock to form sheer canyon walls, as well as waterfalls, tunnels, and pools.

A popular hiking trail follows the canyon and leads to a meadow within the Johnston Valley above the canyon. The first part of the trail consists of a constructed walkway with safety rails and bridges, while the last part of the trail is natural and more rugged. Within the meadow are the Ink Pots, which are six blue-green spring-fed pools.

Ice climbing is a popular activity on the frozen waterfalls in winter.

A tourist lodge and large parking area is located at the foot of the canyon, close to the creek mouth, along the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).

Gallery

Cascade in Johnston Canyon
Lower Falls in Johnston Canyon
Frozen Lower Falls in Johnston Canyon
Ink Pots

References

Patton, B and Robinson, B. The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide. Devil's Head Press Ltd. Canmore. 1978. ISBN 0-9690806-0-3

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Johnston Canyon.

Banff.com - Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon Trail to Ink Pots

Hydrography of Alberta

Rivers	Athabasca Battle Beaver Bow Brazeau Crowsnest Elbow Hay Little Bow Milk North Saskatchewan Oldman Peace Pembina Red Deer Slave Smoky South Saskatchewan

Waterfalls	Athabasca Bow Bridal Veil Crescent Crypt Elbow Panther Sunwapta

Lakes	Athabasca Beaverhill Bistcho Claire Cold La Biche Lesser Slave Pigeon Ste. Anne Sylvan Utikuma Wabamun

Reservoirs	Abraham Barrier Brazeau Chestermere Kananaskis McGregor Minnewanka Glenmore Milk River Ridge Sikome Gleniffer

Glaciers	Athabasca Bow Columbia Icefield Crowfoot Hector Peyto Saskatchewan Vulture Wapta Waputik Icefield

Other	Hay-Zama Wetlands Peace–Athabasca Delta Whooping Crane Summer Range (wetlands)

Coordinates: 51°14′45″N 115°50′28″W / 51.24583°N 115.84111°W / 51.24583; -115.84111

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, June 16, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.