Kid's Hike - Tryst Lake

Please read the entire trip description.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/3/3/8/event_60954072.jpegOn October 1 the larches were a beautiful gold. Hopefully they haven't lost their needles yet. We also saw four moose: a mother and calf, a female, and a male with a giant set of antlers. I'll see if I can arrange to have them make an appearance again. If they show up on the trail, we'll bushwhack around them to be on the safe side. I'm planning on a return time to Calgary of 4/5 p.m.

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.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/f/f/e/event_60957342.jpegYou 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 meters 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 http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/c/e/8/event_60956552.jpegyou 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 4/5-year-olds don't have problems. They may need a little carrying, but that's part of a parent's job description.

Distance: About 6.6 km round-trip
Elevation gain: About 260 m
Hiking Time: About 4 hours.

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

Driving and Directions: Click here to see a driving map. From Canmore, take the Smith Dorrien / Spray Trail to Mt. Shark Road (about 35 km from the Nordic Centre). Follow that road for a kilometre and turn left into the parking area.

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. Dress for cool weather.

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).