Johnson Lake has not only a fine hiking trail, but at the western end, near the parking lot, there is a fine beach and picnic area. We came for the hike.
Throughout the warmest weeks of late spring and summer, the beach at the west end is a playground for Banff residents.
The trail along the shoreline is purported to be a perfect example of a low-elevation montane forest. For this picture, we are on the south shore looking across the lake to the north shore where we spotted the Canadian National Parks' "Red Chairs".
At the far end of the lake, away from the beach, we encountered a yoga class being conducted on paddle boards - I guess just to add to the fun.
Because sound travels so well across water, we were able to hear clearly the directions given by the instructor. She's the one in the middle not doing the "downward facing dog." The young woman on the right seemed to be having a little trouble with her board.
On the perimeter of the class, this man seems to be doing his own kind of yoga.
Balance with your arms in the air and bend at the knees - a deep as you can go.
This looks like a "plank", but it probably has a more technical yoga term. Rose, do you know what this position is called?
After we circled the east end of the lake and left the yoga class behind, the trail split but the right fork was closed to people.
From an elevated spot on the north shore we got this view down the lake. The trail on the south shore is through the forest on the right.
We made it to the red chairs and Frederick took in the view.
The perimeter of our campground is home to quite a few prairie dogs this year. Here's a mama prairie dog and if you click on the picture to make it larger you might be able to see the nursing baby.
When you approach any closer, the prairie dog will give a sharp "bark" and disappear into its hole.
This afternoon we took the four-mile hike on a trail that circumnavigates all the various campgrounds on Tunnel Mountain. Here we encountered two deer.
There seems to be lots of nice green grass for browsing.
At one point in the hike we had this overview of the town of Banff and...
the Bow Valley. In this picture, the town of Banff is just to the left.
Today's combined hike:
Length - 6.37 miles
Duration - 2 hours, 54 minutes
Elevation gain - 320 feet (33 floors on the Fitbit)
It is indeed a forearm plank. Only the person in the front on the blue board has the correct form. The other pose you describe is chair pose. Very hard on my knees.
ReplyDeleteHappy you"re having a spectacular time. The pics are like postcards.
Love,
Li'l'
Sis
xoxo