3Ps Slow/Relaxed Pace hike - Date change due to weather

PLEASE NOTE: This hike has been postponed until Saturday, due to the rain and snow. We should have a beautiful, dry day on Saturday, with a high of 19. Please bring microspikes, just in case.

Welcome spring! I have been out of hiking for health reasons for many months, but I'm ready to start training for the spring summer season. This is a good hike for you if you took a few months off, or had an injury or illness, but are confident that you can hike the distance with the group, including up and down hills. It is a long hike and we are out for the day. Absolutely, no running ahead of the group. This is a group hike and the animals are waking up, so we will hike together. No exceptions.

I love this hike in the spring, as the snow melts, the flowers start to bloom, and the beautiful Prairie Creek starts to run again.

To get ready for the summer season of hiking and backpacking, I'm doing a relaxed pace endurance hike to the 3Ps. We start on Powderface Trail, then take Prairie Link, and then head back along Prairie Creek Trail.

We'll hike at a slow to relaxed pace for most of the trail.

I will be bringing my well behaved German shepherd, Jasmine, on leash. No other dogs, no children, no guests.

Preference goes to those I've hiked with before. I will take up to four new to me hikers, to make sure everyone is safe and we have a good group dynamic.

I will take a minimum of 4 and a maximum
of 12 hikers. You must carry bear spray, microspikes, a good backpack, lots of water, lunch and snacks, layers for all kinds of weather, hat and suncreen, medications, first aid kit, and waterproof hiking boots. This hike is not ideal for beginners. Notify organizer
of any medical conditions or injuries that she should be aware of. It will be keep confidential.

The route we take starts in the Powderface parking lot, since the winter gates are finally open. If the parking lot is full, park at Elbow Falls and walk back to meet us. Look for the olive green Jeep. We will hike together to the Powderface Trailhead and go up the steep hill for the first section. At the junction, we will take a 5 minute break, and then turn right onto Prairie Link, going up and then down the long hill. At the next junction, we'll turn left and find a open spot to have lunch for 30 minutes. After lunch, we'll head back to the junction and take Prairie Creek Trail back to hwy 66. The trail is up and down, with several moderate uphills, and should have many flowers.

The total distance and elevation should be approximately 13km and 500m, slightly more if you parked at Elbow Falls.

Please review the waiver and code of conduct you read when signing up for slow and steady and be prepared to sign in (on paper) at the trailhead.

Meet at the Powderface Parking Lot at 10:45am to hike at 11am. Arrange your own carpooling from Calgary once you have been moved to going. I can take up to 3 people from the top of the hill at Petro Can on hwy 22 at hwy 1 ($10 gas fee).

If anyone is interested, we can stop at the patio of the Rockyview Pub in Bragg Creek for supper. Please arrange carpooling with people who want to stay/or not.

Please note that if you cancel after 6:00 p.m. on the day before without good reason, you WILL be marked as a "no show". If you are sick, please do not attend, but let me know asap so we are not waiting for you

Please read the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct and Waiver before arriving. You must sign the waiver at the trailhead to participate.

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 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.