Snowshoe to Black Lake - RMNP

Distance: about 8.6 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,240' at start, 10,630' at Black Lake, +1,842 total gain
Difficulty Level: moderately challenging, not for beginners!
Pace: moderate
Dogs: no
Meeting Time: 7:00am sharp at carpool location
Hike Time: 8:45am at parking lot to gear up, 9:00am at trailhead

For this event, all members will start on the waiting list:

Members will be moved to the attending list based on level of experience, respect for our style of hiking (see below), and/or other considerations. If you do not make the attending list for this outing, we hope see you at a future event.

Consider this trip an ALL DAY OUTING. Please do not sign up if you have other obligations in the afternoon or early evening.

Please be sure you're on the Attending List for only one Meetup event on the same day.

The Trail to Black Lake:

The Glacier Gorge trail to Black Lake is one of the signature hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. This rugged trek up the winter trail crosses frozen Mills and Jewel Lakes, with jagged peaks framing a steady incline along Glacier Creek. A stunning sheer-cliffed cirque cradles the breathtaking Black Lake, which is stocked with serpents, ichthyosaurs and the rare Rocky Mountain penguin. This lengthy snowshoe may cross areas of deep powder, downed trees and large boulders which may require multiple switches from snowshoes to spikes and back. It is not recommended for beginners. We may be breaking trail on the upper parts of our journey - making for a frigid and fun outing.

Click here to see the weather conditions/forecast for Black Lake (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.265380470263445&lon=-105.64131259918213)

Click here to see hike description (http://www.protrails.com/trail/49/rocky-mountain-national-park-black-lake)

Click here for road conditions in the area (http://www.cotrip.org/roadConditions.htm)

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Harsh Winter Conditions and Snowshoe Gear:

The more prepared you are, the happier and more successful an outing for everyone. Do your research for harsh winter condition.

In addition to snowshoes and poles, bring Kahtoola MICROspikes (http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/) for all possible trail conditions. Gaiters are highly recommended (http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/gaiters.html). Dress for wind as well as warmth. Avoid cotton. Consider insulated water bottles as tubes and valves may freeze. Also consider hand and toe warmers for your gloves and boots.

Click here to see the 10 Essentials to Bring On Every Hike (https://www.meetup.com/colorado-explorers/pages/The_10_Essentials_-_What_to_Bring_for_a_Hike)

Carpool Meeting Spot:

We will meet at the 3 Margaritas at 28th & Iris in Boulder and will depart at 7:00am sharp. Look for the car with the orange traffic cone on the roof. There will be a five minute wait at the the meeting spot for stragglers.

Please be considerate of the people in your carpool. If you do not intend to join the group for the after hike meal, please bring your own vehicle.

Click here to see map of Carpool Meeting Spot (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=3390+28th+Street,+Boulder,+CO&hl=en&sll=38.997934,-105.550567&sspn=4.88307,7.56958&oq=3390+28th+St&hnear=3390+28th+St,+Boulder,+Colorado+80301&t=m&z=16)

Trailhead Location:

If you plan to meet us at the trailhead, please inform the event hosts 24 hours in advance so they are not waiting for you at the carpool.

Click here to see map of Glacier Gorge Trailhead (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Glacier+Gorge+Trailhead,+Larimer,+CO&hl=en&ll=40.310622,-105.640283&spn=0.009359,0.014784&sll=38.997934,-105.550567&sspn=4.88307,7.56958&oq=glacier+gorge&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A)

After Hike Gathering:

After the snowshoe we'd like our hiking companions to join us for food, beverage and laughter in Estes Park.

Click here for Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Taphouse (http://www.smokindavesq.com/)

Cancellation Policy:

It is poor etiquette to cancel at the last minute. Please cancel (change your RSVP to "No") no later than Friday, Feb 14th, 2014 at 5:00pm if you cannot attend. This applies to guests on the attending list AND the wait list.

Our style of hiking. Make sure it works for you:

We hike with our guests as a cohesive unit, similar to a slinky... expanding and contracting, but always staying connected to one another. Our guests do not split from the group on our outings, as this can adversely impact the group as a whole. Maintaining sight and sound contact with the guest behind you and in front of you helps things run more smoothly and keeps the lines of communication open. This increases safety in the wilderness. It also encourages camaraderie and conversation, the cornerstone of Meetup events.

Release of Liability:

By submitting an RSVP to this event, you are agreeing to each of the following four items:

1. You acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and that you will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike, the gear needed and physical conditioning required. None of the organizers, event hosts or other members of Colorado Explorers are responsible for you.

2. The organizers, event hosts and members of Colorado Explorers engage in this and all group events for recreational purposes only. The organizers and event hosts are not professional guides. They represent themselves to be private individuals who enjoy outdoor activity.

3. You will not act carelessly or recklessly (including splitting from the group) in a manner which may adversely affect the group as a whole.

4. You acknowledge that you understand the Colorado Explorers group rules and that you agree to these rules. Click here to view group rules. (https://www.meetup.com/colorado-explorers/pages/Group_Rules/)

Thank you for choosing Colorado Explorers - Hike and Snowshoe the Rockies (https://www.meetup.com/colorado-explorers/)