Uploaded June 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
After a night at Johnston Creek (Jo18) journey continued with down the Johnston Creek Trail to Larry's Camp (Jo9) after a short side trip to beautiful Luellen Lake (Jo19). Shorter milage on day 4 also afforded time to approach the Ink Pots in the evening from the north side, entirely avoiding the large crowd of day hikers that typically gather there during the day time.
Mystic Pass provided exceptional scenery on Day 5 before a stop at Mystic Lake and some (illegal) over indulgence in the huckleberries found there. Passing through Mystic Valley Campground (Mi22), I spent my last night in Banff at Mystic Junction (Fm19).
According to Cleverhiker.com, "The Sawback Trail in Banff National Park is a 74 km (46 mile) traverse through the rugged and beautiful Sawback Mountain Range. Along the route, hikers climb over three spectacular passes and wind through meadows dotted with stunning alpine lakes. This trail spans a good portion of Banff National Park, stretching from the Lake Louise area to the town of Banff. With most people flocking to crowded trails on the west side of the Trans Canada Highway, this trek provides a true backcountry feel in a stunningly beautiful wilderness." For more details and photos of this area, visit:
cleverhiker.com/blog/sawback-trail-backpacking-guide-banff-national-park
Soundtrack by:
Air
"All I Need"
Boards of Canada
"Constants Are Changing"
Boards of Canada
"'Left Side Drive"
General Fuzz
"Unconscious Alliance"
Backpacker Diaries would like to thank George Prudhon for help with the 63k/39 mile shuttle; This logistical advantage can not be overstated!
Here are some gear choices I've used with success and can recommend:
Osprey Atmos 50 Men's Backpack:
amzn.to/2hLEBKe
Altra Men's Lone Peak 3 Running Shoe
amzn.to/2zsFsuB
Nemo Tensor 20 Sleeping Pad
amzn.to/2zhvkRv
Flash Personal Cooking System
amzn.to/2ziEL2I
I use a North Face sleeping bag very similar to this one:
amzn.to/2A1QEOo
Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner
amzn.to/2A9fvPU
After a night at Johnston Creek (Jo18) journey continued with down the Johnston Creek Trail to Larry's Camp (Jo9) after a short side trip to beautiful Luellen Lake (Jo19). Shorter milage on day 4 also afforded time to approach the Ink Pots in the evening from the north side, entirely avoiding the large crowd of day hikers that typically gather there during the day time.
Mystic Pass provided exceptional scenery on Day 5 before a stop at Mystic Lake and some (illegal) over indulgence in the huckleberries found there. Passing through Mystic Valley Campground (Mi22), I spent my last night in Banff at Mystic Junction (Fm19).
According to Cleverhiker.com, "The Sawback Trail in Banff National Park is a 74 km (46 mile) traverse through the rugged and beautiful Sawback Mountain Range. Along the route, hikers climb over three spectacular passes and wind through meadows dotted with stunning alpine lakes. This trail spans a good portion of Banff National Park, stretching from the Lake Louise area to the town of Banff. With most people flocking to crowded trails on the west side of the Trans Canada Highway, this trek provides a true backcountry feel in a stunningly beautiful wilderness." For more details and photos of this area, visit:
cleverhiker.com/blog/sawback-trail-backpacking-guide-banff-national-park
Soundtrack by:
Air
"All I Need"
Boards of Canada
"Constants Are Changing"
Boards of Canada
"'Left Side Drive"
General Fuzz
"Unconscious Alliance"
Backpacker Diaries would like to thank George Prudhon for help with the 63k/39 mile shuttle; This logistical advantage can not be overstated!
Here are some gear choices I've used with success and can recommend:
Osprey Atmos 50 Men's Backpack:
amzn.to/2hLEBKe
Altra Men's Lone Peak 3 Running Shoe
amzn.to/2zsFsuB
Nemo Tensor 20 Sleeping Pad
amzn.to/2zhvkRv
Flash Personal Cooking System
amzn.to/2ziEL2I
I use a North Face sleeping bag very similar to this one:
amzn.to/2A1QEOo
Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner
amzn.to/2A9fvPU
