D2: Elkwood Loop & Marsh Loop Snowshoeing

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/)

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See you there!