The highlight of Day 3 (Thursday) was the drive on the Bow Valley Parkway that parallels Trans-Canada 1 with a hike to Johnston Canyon Lower and Upper Falls.

We first stopped at Backswamp and Mule Shoe viewing areas, then headed to Johnston Canyon.

Backswamp.

Backswamp area aspens that have been stripped by elk up to the browse line (opposite the river).

View from Mule Shoe (opposite the river).

Johnston Canyon is another very popular site with two beautiful waterfalls and rushing cascades walking along canyon-clinging catwalks and staircases to the gorge’s Lower and Upper Falls. The Upper Falls are 2.7 km (1.7 mi) with an elevation gain of 215 m (700 ft) and maximum elevation of 1645 m (5,400 ft). At the Lower Falls, there is a man-made bridge to a short tunnel through the canyon bedrock through which you can get a closer view. The Upper Falls has two viewpoints – at the base of the falls and a viewpoint from the top.

Each view was as beautiful as the previous.

Peter, Debby, and Larry walking along with the large crowd.

Some of the walkway could make those with acrophobia nervous.

Along the way.

First waterfall. Note the cave/tunnel on the right (people there) lining up to go in and get an even closer view of the waterfall.

Looking back the way we came.

Another great sight.

Upper falls.

View of upper falls from above it.

Larry Samberging™ above the upper falls.

The next stop was a picnic lunch at Storm Mountain picnic area, with intermittent drops of rain.

View of the river. Storm Mountain is across the river but the light made it impossible to capture it properly.

Looking in the opposite direction we saw magnificent Castle Mountain and Eisenhower Tower on the right of Castle Mountain.

We drove past Lake Louise onto the Icefields Parkway, but weather was not cooperative, with more drizzle and then rain. We stopped at Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake, but at that point decided to head back.

Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake from the Bow Lake turnout.

View towards Crowfoot Glacier from Bow lakeshore.

Bow Lake looking in the other direction.

We drove for about an hour and a half, stopped at Vermilion Lakes turnout in Banff.

We shopped back in Canmore, and made fajitas for dinner.