Kid's hike -- Fossil hunting expedition on Burns Ridge

Please read the entire trip description. Note that the meeting place has changed.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/6/f/2/event_128879122.jpegThis hike is for for kids aged 6 and up. Because of off-trail travel and/or elevation gain that may be unsuitable for younger kids, the minimum age is 6. However, if you have one child older than six and one younger, please contact me and we may be able to make an exception.

The forecast for Turner Valley is 17 C and variable cloudiness. Burns ridge is west of Turner Valley at the end of Highway 546 (it's paved the entire way). Last weekend we scrambled to the high point of Burns Ridge, and midway up I came across a bunch of big http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/1/1/2/event_128193042.jpegrocks with fossilized clam shells. We'll follow an old logging road for maybe 45 minutes, then bushwhack and follow some good animal trails for a bit to get on the ridge and follow it up to the tree line. Once there, we'll start looking for fossils, and have lunch when we find them. The second photo is about where I found the fossils in the first photo. Once above the treeline, there will be some absolutely beautiful views.

If it's raining or snowing in the area of the hike, the hike may be canceled or the destination changed to an area without rain or snow if possible.

You 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 you 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/D2 (click here for a description of difficulty ratings (http://files.meetup.com/1575023/Difficulty%20Ratings.pdf)). This hike is for kids 6 and up. Because of bushwhacking, off-trail travel and elevation gain that is unsuitable for younger kids, the minimum age is 6. However, if you have one child older than six and one younger, please contact me and we may be able to make an exception.

Distance: 7 or 8 km round trip
Elevation gain: Up to 400 m
Hiking/Exploring Time: About 5 hours

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

Driving and Directions: Take the 22x to Highway 22 and head south. When you get to Turner Valley, follow the signs (there must be signs, right?) to Highway 546 and drive west all the way to the end, where you should find the Junction Creek day use area.Click here to see a driving map. (https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=50.783365,-114.353943&spn=0.50186,1.234589&sll=50.613528,-114.733315&sspn=0.06296,0.154324&geocode=FVKnCAMdTmwz-Q%3BFb4rBAMdVkYp-Q&t=h&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=13&z=10)

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 spring/summer.

Be sure to bring gloves/mitts and toques for everyone.

Footwear--hiking boots are best but runners are okay if the trail is dry. If the trail isn't dry, best to bring rubber boots or winter boots for the kids if they don't have hiking boots.

Mandatory - sense of humor, inner child, real child, lunch and snacks, at least 1-2 litres of water per person, hard shell/rain coat, fleece or similar warm coat to put under hard shell, sunscreen, extra footwear for the kids (leave in the car to change into after).