D2: Elkwood Loop & Marsh Loop Snowshoeing


Details
PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION BELOW
THIS IS NOT A GUIDED TOUR!
Where: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Distance: 6.9 km loop
Elevation gain: 25m
Time: 6-8 hours (driving included)
(Don't make plans that depend on it. Mountains are unpredictable).
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate snowshoeing in a fairly gentle terrain
Skill level: For fit hikers. (Beginners in good fitness are welcome)
Pace: Moderate-to-slow
Safety: Winter hazards including frostbite and hypothermia
Trail conditions: Snowy
Weather conditions: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caab0177
Location: K-Country
I have chosen Elkwood Loop snowshoe trail for this weekend's outing. Alberta Park's offices noted that this loop could be done in conjunction with Marsh Loop toward William Watson Lodge. From trailhead to Elkwood 3.3km, form Elkwood to Marsh 1.9km, and then finally back to Will Watson Lodge 860m, making it a total of 6.9km.
The trails are well-marked with red snowshoe signs in good places, except Will Watson Lodge parking lot. This is an intermediate/moderate level snowshoeing partly due to distance, and if the weather conditions allow, it might just become a great outing. Beginners with good physical shape and can complete 6.9km without significant struggle are also welcome. Please gauge your abilities appropriately before fully committing yourself to the trip.
For further info and map, see the link below:
http://www.albertaparks.ca/peter-lougheed/information-facilities/trails/elkwood-loop-snowshoe.aspx
Mandatory gear: Warm winter clothes (no jeans and cottons!), insulated hiking/winter boots, wool socks, gaiters (if no snow/ski pants), gloves, snowshoes, poles, lunch and snacks, 2 litres of water, first aid kid, emergency blanket, sunglasses, headlamps.
Recommended: Hand and toe warmers, hot drink in thermos, camera
Event Participation: CORA trips start at the trailhead; but as a favour to our participants, we will carpool in town at the specified meetup place (i.e. Brentwood LRT Station, CO-OP Parking lot). The event host(s) hold the right to remove you from the trip or add you into the trip from the waiting list depending on transportation readiness, previous hiking experience, and commitment to the CORA events. Don't be surprised, and then go on flaming the event host(s) if you are moved to the 'waiting list' or 'not attending' list. This is nothing personal.
Please be on time (aim between 8.30 and 9.00 am). I will leave with the rest of the group at 9am sharp.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on this trip, SO LONG AS they are on leash and well-behaved. There is also a fine for loose dogs.
Directions and Transportation: Take Hwy 1 and drive to Kananaskis, then to Peter Lougheed at the Highwood Junction (which is now closed). Drive 5.8km along Kananaskis Lakes Trail and pull into the Elkwood Amphitheatre parking lot.
Costs: Members are free. Non-members fee is $5.
If you want to become a member of CORA, the annual fee is $20 (Valid until annual general meeting in February 2014).
If you are not driving, please contribute some gas $$ money for drivers (In K-Country trips, this is around $5 to $10 depending on driver's discretion).
Trip Waiver and Conditions: You must sign a trip waiver to attend to this event even if you are a paid member. Here is the waiver you are expected to sign:
http://files.meetup.com/1575023/TRIP%20WAIVER-June2012.pdf
Rules of Conduct (clickable): By participating in this CORA activity, you automatically agree to follow the CORA Rules of Conduct. Please read them by clicking here. (https://www.meetup.com/Calgary-Outdoor-Recreation-Association-CORA/pages/Rules_of_Conduct/)
My cell phone is # 403-862-1727begin_of_the_skype_highlighting https://www.meetup.com/Calgary-Outdoor-Recreation-Association-CORA/events/96901162/chrome-extension:/lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/numbers_button_skype_logo.png403-862-1727 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlightingbegin_of_the_skype_highlighting https://www.meetup.com/Calgary-Outdoor-Recreation-Association-CORA/events/96901162/chrome-extension:/lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/numbers_button_skype_logo.png403-862-1727 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting
See you there!

D2: Elkwood Loop & Marsh Loop Snowshoeing