Taylor Lake – T3 - Snowshoes Mandatory

Good day - this will be a snowshoe hike - I have not done this in winter before and is listed as an avi safe hike to the lake and back. Please research this yourself as well.

"*19) Taylor Lake: 12.6 km return, 585 m elevation gain (see trail guide)
This challenging trail ends in a scenic hanging valley below Mount Bell. Start at the parking lot 18 km east of Lake Louise or 8 km west of Castle Junction on the Trans-Canada Highway. Warning: Connecting trails to O'Brien Lake or Panorama Ridge take you into avalanche terrain. Travel on these trails requires avalanche training and equipment."

The cumulative elevation is 900 but the net is 600m. You must have some other recent higher elevation winter hikes to sign up for this one.

Although the pace will be relaxed, this is a difficult hike for experienced hikers only. Please ensure that you carefully research the trip before signing up. For the safety and enjoyment of both yourself and the group, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and capable of completing this hike and that you have the appropriate gear for all conditions.

It is a requirement to read the following trip posting very carefully and to make the proper and responsible preparations for it. Failure to do so will result in a participant not being allowed on this trip. As a potential participant, you must check this trip posting for additional directions from the organizer, including trip cancellation. Your hosts are volunteers and not trained guides.

The journey is as important as the destination. We will stop periodically for rest stops and to enjoy the views. This may not be the right hike for you if you want to race to the destination or if you don’t want to stay with the group.

Trip Description: https://mattclay.zenfolio.com/taylor_lake
Distance: 12.6 return to Taylor Lake plus additional kilometers in the meadows.
Elevation Gain: 600 m net - 900m cumulative
Physical Difficulty: T3 hikes may be narrow with steep sections.

It is expected that everyone stays together in a group for safety. If you are not willing to stay with the group, this hike may not be the right hike for you. Remember - the journey is as important as the destination!

Required Gear:
Snowshoes
Hiking boots (or winter boots with good support)
Clothing for high of -14
personal-sized first aid kit, personal medications (if needed),
water/hot drinks (at least 2 litres unless you need more) and
lunch/snacks.

Please bring a change of socks/footwear for after the hike and a plastic bag for dirty/wet hiking boots or shoes (keep your driver's car clean).

Suggested Gas Fee Contribution: $25.00

WAIVER: You must sign our club waiver before you are allowed to go on this trip. You will need to provide an emergency name and phone number to be recorded on the waiver. The organizer will have a group waiver for you to sign at the meetup location and/or the trailhead. You are required to read the Slow and Steady Hiker Club Waiver prior to arriving: https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/

Disclaimer: You are fully aware that your hosts are volunteers and not trained guides and you assume all responsibility for your own safety and well-being. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, your current physical condition, current trail conditions and current avalanche conditions (if applicable) for the trip and you are responsible for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this hike with the group.