Kid's Hike - Halfway to Sparrowhawk Tarns

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/f/8/b/event_44873131.jpeg

Please read the entire trip description.

This is a well maintained trail, but will give the kids a true wilderness experience. Last weekend we had the trail to ourselves. About halfway to the tarns (little lakes) at the end of the valley, there's a hill covered with rubble that has lots of big rocks to scramble on (the top photo). The rubble is also home to marmots, pikas and chipmunks. We may return by a slightly different route so the kids can do a very easy crossing of a very small creek. As usual, after the hike there will be the ice cream bribe in Canmore.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/8/9/d/event_44766301.jpeg If it's raining in the area of the hike, the hike will be canceled or the destination changed to an area without rain if possible.

You must be with a kid to come on this hike. All kids must have an adult with them. My kid's hikes are intended to get kids out with other kids in an effort to trick them into having fun in the mountains. Most trails lead to a place where there's something fun for the kids, like climbing on rocks or building dams. Note the emphasis on fun. If the kids all stop a couple hundred http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/9/1/7/event_44778711.jpegmeters from the parking lot and start building dams across a creek for an hour or so, that's as far as we go. My philosophy is that if you don't push the kids too hard and make it fun for them, they'll eventually push themselves to see what's over the next hill. Also, expect the kids to get dirty and wet. Extra footwear to change into for the way home is recommended. There's nothing in the wild as ornery as a kid with wet feet in the back seat of a car.

RSVP: Update your RSVP as early as possible, at least 12 hours before the meeting time. If you are unable to attend for any reason whatsoever, LET ME KNOW as soon as possible. My cell phone is 403.554.3474 .

TRIP WAIVER AND CONDITIONS: You must sign a trip waiver to attend this event. You must also sign a waiver for your child(ren). Adult participants must have a paid CORA membership, or pay the non-member fee of $5. There is no charge for children 17 and under.

Difficulty level: D1 ( click here for a description of difficulty levels (http://files.meetup.com/1575023/Difficulty%20Ratings.pdf) ). Kid's Hikes are targeted for 6- to 12-year-olds, but most 4-year-olds don't have problems. They may need a little carrying, but that's part of a parent's job description.

Distance: About 6 km round-trip
Elevation gain: About 300 m
Hiking Time: 4 or 5 hours depending on how long we play at the rubble heap

Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this trip as long as they are on a leash.

Driving and Directions: Take the Trans-Canada to Canmore. Drive through downtown, and when you get to the end of the main street (8 Street), turn left. Follow that up and around until you reach the right turn onto Spray Lakes Road (which turns into Highway 742/Smith Dorrien Spray Trail). Continue for about 24.5 km and turn into the Sparrowhawk day use area. Click here to see a driving map. (http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=51.13019,-114.22491+to:51.08745,-115.34687+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=51.012027,-114.851074&spn=0.991897,1.84845&sll=51.103306,-114.158592&sspn=0.015468,0.028882&geocode=FVvMCwMdlg0y-Q%3BFU4vDAMd8hAx-SndNm7MEWlxUzHSVN8K4WM34g%3BFVqICwMdSvIf-SnfreBmvsVwUzHTqrUiuEIwmQ%3BFYRCCQMdyGQg-Q&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=15&via=1,2&t=h&z=9)

Costs: Members are free. Non-member fee is $5. Kids 17-years and under are free.

Transport: CORA trips start at the trailhead. We meet at the meeting point in Calgary to make organizing trips easier and help ensure we know who's showing up. On kid's hikes, be prepared to drive rather than car pool. Sometimes kids have to make quick exits, which can make car pooling inconvenient. Please be on time. You may choose to meet us at the trailhead, but please advise us ahead of time.

EQUIPMENT: Weather can change quickly in the mountains -- rain, snow, wind, warm, or cold -- BE PREPARED.

Mandatory - sense of humor, inner child, real child, lunch and snacks, at least 1-2 litres of water per person, hiking boots are best but runners are okay, rain coat, fleece or similar warm coat, sunscreen, extra footwear for the kids (leave in the car to change into).