Pros & cons
PROS
- Dramatic shift from busy canyon to true backcountry solitude in one outing
- Quick spur to tranquil Mystic Lake once over the pass
CONS
- Peak-season parking and boardwalk crowds can sour the first hour
- Long distance makes the pass a big day for most hikers
- Lingering snow and cold winds often persist near the pass into early summer
Park at the Johnston Canyon lot on the Bow Valley Parkway (1A); it fills very early in summer and on weekends. Moose Meadows is a quieter alternate trailhead that bypasses the canyon.
Expect heavy crowds and limited parking at Johnston Canyon. Beyond the Ink Pots the route becomes remote, steeper, and rougher. This is prime bear habitat—carry bear spray. Snow can linger on Mystic Pass into early summer; pack layers and rain gear. Treat all water and carry a map or GPS.
This is a big, rewarding push that starts in Banff’s most touristed corridor and ends in true backcountry. From the Johnston Canyon trailhead, you’ll thread metal catwalks through a limestone gorge past the Lower Falls (about 1.1 km from the start) and Upper Falls (about 2.7 km), then continue to the Ink Pots at roughly 5.7 km—cold, colorful mineral springs set in a meadow. Most people turn around here. You don’t.
Beyond the Ink Pots the crowds vanish and the trail narrows to singletrack, rolling through forest and open meadows as you climb toward Mystic Pass in the Sawback Range. Expect a sustained, steeper ascent near the pass. Views open to big country and, in season, wildflowers add color to the alpine meadows. Total distance is about 30.5 km/19 mi roundtrip with roughly 1,100 m/3,600 ft of gain—best tackled by strong day hikers or as a 1–2 day backpack. A short spur (~300 m) beyond the pass leads to quiet, photogenic Mystic Lake, a great lunch or camp spot if you’re staying overnight.
Best time to hike: Late June through September offers the safest pass conditions and the best wildflowers. Outside that window, expect lingering snow and trickier footing on the climb and descent. In any season, start early to beat parking mayhem and shoulder-to-shoulder boardwalk traffic in the canyon; you’ll also have better light in the gorge. If you want to skip the crowds entirely, begin at the nearby Moose Meadows trailhead, which rejoins near Upper Falls but trades the canyon scenery for a quieter forest approach.
What you’ll see: Classic limestone canyon sculpted by water, thundering waterfalls, the pastel pools of the Ink Pots, and broad alpine views from Mystic Pass. Keep an eye out for elk and bighorn sheep in the valley and meadows. The pass area sits in the Sawbacks, dominated by ancient sedimentary layers shaped by glaciers and erosion.
Logistics and tips: The trail is wide and well-maintained to the Ink Pots; beyond, it’s narrower, rougher singletrack. Carry a map or GPS for the remote sections, bring layers and rain protection (alpine weather turns fast), and treat all water. This is prime bear country—carry bear spray and know how to use it. For backpackers, designated sites like Larry’s Camp (Jo9) and Mystic Junction require advance reservations.
Bottom line: If you can handle the distance and elevation, the contrast—tourist canyon to lonely high country—makes this one of the more satisfying long outings off the Bow Valley. If that sounds like too much, the Ink Pots as a standalone out-and-back gives you a great sampler.
Elevation
19 mi · 11 hrWhere it starts
51.2455, -115.8399Wildlife on this trail
Near Mystic Pass via Johnston Canyon
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayJohnston Canyon to Upper FallsBanff’s catwalk canyon to thundering Upper Falls—short, spectacular.Easy · 3.4 mi · 2.5 hr
0 mi awayJohnston Canyon to Ink PotsCanyon catwalks to vibrant spring-fed pools—busy but worth itModerate · 7.5 mi · 4 hr
0 mi awayJohnston Canyon Lower FallsShort, easy canyon walk to a roaring waterfall and spray-filled caveEasy · 1.4 mi · 1 hr
0 mi awayMystic Lake via Johnston CanyonBackcountry quiet over Mystic Pass to a pristine, little-visited lake.Challenging · 23 mi · 14 hr
0 mi awayJohnston CanyonCatwalks through a limestone gorge to roaring falls and winter iceTrailhead · Restroom
0.1 mi awayJohnston Canyon Lodge and BungalowsHeritage cabins steps from Johnston Canyon’s catwalks and waterfallsLodging · Food
0.6 mi awayLower FallsClose-up tunnel view of a roaring canyon waterfallScenic Viewpoint
1.2 mi awayUpper FallsIconic 30 m cascade reached by catwalks through a limestone gorgeScenic Viewpoint
