Thursday was another day off skiing. I don’t have the stamina or the lift pass to ski every day. I took my skis in for a service – sharpen the edges and wax – and set out to follow a series of trails, first to the Bow River Falls downstream and then upstream, passed the town, diverting to the Cave and Basin and the wooden walkway system up the hillside to the hot springs which in 1883 first excited interest in what became Banff, and on towards Sundance Canyon. I stopped short of the Canyon, intending to walk that another day and, after sitting on the dry rocks of the river bed kept clear of snow by another trickling hot spring, headed back by way of the ‘Marsh Loop’. Altogether about 8 miles in 5 hours with mooching around time and frequent photo-stops.
That’s it for the words. The rest is pictures.
Looking across the town bridge built in 1923, Cascade Mountain at the end of Banff Avenue, the Bow River partly snow covered, partly flowing water
Looking towards the town bridge from riverside trail
The new wooden pedestrian bridge, completed last year
Mild weather and fast flowing water breaks up the ice on the river as it rushed towards the falls
More open water than usual in winter below the falls seen from the top of the crag alongside, Mount Rundle towering above
Looking upstream to the frozen falls
Zooming in on the rushing water on the right as it emerges from the ice
Immediately after the falls the river bends at right angles northeastwards towards the Fairholme Range
Upstream of the town bridge the river is frozen solid enough for semi-permanent footpaths across
On the recreation ground is the Banff Community Greenhouse, snowed-in at this time of year
Snow blown across the rugby pitch drifts in the lee of the trees. Either the pitch rivals Pontypool RFCs famous slope or the earth tilted on its axis as I took the shot
A hot spring feeds this pool, a rare wildlife habitat surrounded by snow
The topmost pool on the walkway is home to the unique and endangered Banff Springs Snail, Physella johnsoni
Looking across the snow-covered river to Mount Edith
Another view showing the narrow open channel of running water
The vegetation along the bank
Standing on the ice in the middle of the river and looking downstream towards Cascade Mountain
Mount Rundle seen across the Marsh Loop
Riding stables backed by Cascade Mountain
Horse-drawn sleigh offers rides to visitors
x
Awesome place and terrific photos.
Thanks for the positive comment. The scenery is indeed amazing. It makes photography easy. You just have to try to capture it.