Lillian Lake/Galatea Lakes - Relaxed Pace

Note: A friend of mine, Ken, is leading a hike to Galatea this Thursday. My hike will be relaxed, not slow, but enjoying the day and taking it easy. It will be a long day. If you would like to hike at a faster, more moderate pace, please join Ken's hike. If you would like a more relaxed day, please join my hike.

I love to hike up to Lillian Lake and then over to the two Galatea Lakes for lunch. The trail is recently opened and starts with many nice bridges over the creeks and eventually climbs uphill, into the mountains, with one steep patch before we reach the backcountry campground of Liliian Lake. A nice place for a break, and then continue a little farther, and uphill, to the two beautiful Galatea Lakes. While the trip is long with a reasonable amount of elevation, we will hike at a relaxed pace, keeping the group together. It is not suited for beginners and you must have hiked with me before to know you are a good fit for the group and will not run ahead. Then after some time at the lakes, we will return the same way for a total of:

17.2 km
880m

This will be a long day and we are not in a rush, especially back down to the cars.

If it is hot out, the brave souls have a tradition of bringing a swim suit, towel, hand warmers, and water shoes, and we take a quick swim in the third lake!

We meet at the Galatea Day Use trailhead, see map, at 8:45am, to be ready to hike at 9am sharp. This will be a long day, please don't make evening plans.

On my hikes, we take 8-12 experienced hikers. We do not run ahead or leave people behind. Super fast people will hike behind mthe slowest hiker. We are out to enjoy nature together, get to know each other better, and keep each other safe. If you run ahead of the group, we will feed you to the bears.

No beginners, no guests, no children. I may bring my friendly, experienced hiking dog, on a leash, if there is room in my Jeep. Her name is Jasmine.

While there is a lot of parking at Galatea, gas is expensive, so you choose to make your own carpooling plans once you are accepted on the hike. Recommended 25 gas fee. I recommend meeting at Shouldice Park and Ride or Petro Canada at hwy 22 and 1. I can take 3 (max 4) passengers from Petro, on the north end of the gravel road, on the hwy 22 side. Please plan your pickup times accordingly to arrive by 8:45am. Recommended gas fee is 25 and driver needs a Kananaskis Park Pass.

Bear spray and cameras recommended. Lunch, snacks, 2-3 litres of water plus electrolytes, poles, changes of clothes, medications, waterproof hiking boots, gaiters, required. Water purification tablets, a headlamp with new batteries, first aid kit, tensor bandage, and emergency silver blanket are recommended in case things don't go to plan. Extra socks and plastic bags for your boots are also useful. A water bladder you can drink while you hike, plus a backup water bottle is ideal.

Please read the slow and steady waiver and code of conduct in advance. You will sign in agreeing to the conditions of the waiver at the trailhead and leave an emergency contact name and number. You agree to follow slow and steady policies, listen to the organizer, treat everyone with respect, do your own research on the hikes, come prepared, and recognize that your organizers are volunteers who put in a lot of their own time to plan and lead these hikes for you.