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The Ink Pots are spectacular on sunny winter days
The Ink Pots are spectacular on sunny winter days

Snowshoeing to the Ink Pots, Banff National Park

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Banff National Park is full of winter trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Some are well-marked well others take you into the backcountry. Snowshoeing to the Ink Pots near Johnston Canyon is one of the great options. It’s 12 km (return) via Moose Meadows. The trail is well-signed and easy to follow. There is another option and that is via  Johnston Canyon. If you had two cars you could do a loop, heading up one trail and down the other.

Count on a workout when you go snowshoeing to the Ink Pots. Be sure to dress in layers so you don’t sweat – and then cool down in the chill of winter. Allow about four hours to do the return hike.

It’s always a good idea to check trail conditions before you go.

Finding the Ink Pots Trailhead for snowshoeing

You’ll find the Moose Meadows trailhead a few kilometres east of Castle Junction along the Bow Valley Parkway on the north side of the road. Signage is excellent. Allow 30 minutes from either Banff or Lake Louise – especially if you’re driving the slower going Bow Valley Parkway. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the road.

Ink Pots Trailhead is close to Castle Mountain
The Ink Pots Trailhead is close to Castle Mountain
In the winter snowshoeing to the Ink Pots is on a beautiful trail
Snowshoeing to the Ink Pots
My husband having fun on the snowshoe trail
My husband having fun snowshoeing to the Ink Pots

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The snowshoe trail to the Ink Pots from Moose Meadows Trailhead

The snowshoe trail is well defined the entire way. Begin by heading up through thick forest for 3.2 km until you reach the junction with a trail leading to Johnston Canyon.

Bear left to continue to the Ink Pots and continue for another 2.7 kilometres. This section of the trail sees the bulk of the 330 m elevation gain. The higher you get the better the view.

The trail flattens out just before the Inkpots
The trail flattens out just before the Inkpots

Eventually you break out into a valley. The Ink Pots stand before you – throwing off a bit of warmth too. In non-winter months they’re brilliant coloured mineral hot springs – but in winter they’re not so good.

If you’re here in the summer months, you can continue hiking up the valley and over Mystic Pass to Luellen Lake, a further 11.8 km away.

The area around the Ink Pots
The area around the Ink Pots
Some coloration in one of the Ink Pots
Some coloration in one of the Ink Pots
Another view of the area around the Ink Pots
Another view of the area around the Ink Pots

When we got to the Ink Pots the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in. This area is spectacular on a sunny day as you can see below.

A spectacular backdrop for the Ink Pots on a sunny day
A spectacular backdrop for the Ink Pots on a sunny day
It's another 8.7 km to Mystic Pass from the Ink Pots
The summer trail to Mystic Pass continues from the Ink Pots 

The return trip is fast since it’s mostly downhill. All told it took us 3¼ hours including a short lunch break. It’s a wonderful way to spend half a day.

Excellent snow conditions
Excellent snow conditions and an easy to follow trail while snowshoeing to the Ink Pots

An alternative route to the Ink Pots on snowshoes

Follow the Johnston Canyon trail to the second set of falls. Look for signage pointing to the Ink Pots – of which there is plenty. From the top of the Johnston Canyon trail it is only 0.3 km to meet up with the trail coming up from Moose Meadows. One on that trail its 2.7 km to reach the Ink Pots.

Retrace your steps to return or snowshoe down to the Moose Meadows trailhead to a pre-arranged car shuttle OR walk back along the road to the Johnston Canyon parking lot, a distance of about 1.7 km.

Scenic parking lot with a nice backdrop at Moose Meadows
Scenic backdrop at the Moose Meadows trailhead

More snowshoeing information for Banff National Park

The Banff Parks Office at 224 Banff Avenue in Banff is staffed with helpful, bilingual rangers who can direct you to a trail that best suits your ability.

Around Banff itself there are lots of easy snowshoe trails if you just want a short burst of exercise and fresh air. Some I’d suggest are the trails in the Cave and Basin area. There are pretty loops and an out and back along the Bow River.

The Spray Valley Loop is a good choice as is the hike or snowshoe to the summit of Tunnel Mountain. Or try the busier alternative to the Ink Pots – a trip to see the frozen waterfalls up Johnston Canyon. If you want a full day snowshoe I’d recommend Sulphur Mountain via Cosmic Ray Road – though in fall-winter 2021-22 it is still closed.

The Lake Louise area also has lots of snowshoe trails. Try the easy one up to Mirror Lake or the trail along the shoreline of Lake Louise.

Late afternoon from the Ink Pots
Late afternoon on the Ink Pots trail

What to take snowshoeing in Banff National Park

Be smart and go prepared because if anything goes wrong its never pretty. Take extra high energy food, along with lots of hot drinks. You might even want to bring a wide mouth thermos so you can enjoy some hearty soup.

Everyone should have a headlamp. Don’t forget matches and fire starter too.

Consider bringing some extra clothes. Layering is always a great idea. I like a lightweight down jacket for instant warmth. Always take an extra pair of dry socks never ever wear cotton or you’ll freeze. 

If you want to sit down, it’s way more comfortable and you won’t lose as much heat if you have an insulated sitting pad like this one

On sunny days the mountain views around the Ink Pots are superb
On sunny days the mountain views around the Ink Pots are superb

Location map of the Ink Pots

                                                           

Further reading on winter activities in Alberta

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Snowshoeing to the Ink Pots in Banff National Park - a fun half day outing

 

 

 

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