C Level Cirque - Sat, Jul 21 2012

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C Level Cirque (7/21/2012)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Lake Minnewanka

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Jul 21 2012 10:45 AM (Carpool Departure: 9:00 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Jul 20 2012 6:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

3 hours plus driving time

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Bruce F
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members & Guests, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

11 (Log in to see who's signed up.)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Distance: 8km
Elevation Gain: 455m

This is a short and easy hike but we will go at a steady pace. The co-ordinator has not done the hike before so there may be some route finding delays.

According to previous COC postings for this event...

The C Level Cirque trail climbs past artifacts of the long-defunct Bankhead coal operation to a high, rockbound pocket beneath the sheer east face of Cascade Mountain.

Within a half hour you reach two skeletal buildings, the remnants of an anthracite coal operation that flourished in the area from 1904 to 1922. A town of nearly 1000 inhabitants called Bankhead was spread across the valley where the trail begins, and these old buildings were a part of the "C Level" operation - the highest coal seams worked within the eastern slope of Cascade Mountain.

From a coal tailing pile 100m beyond the buildings there is an excellent view out to Lake Minnewanka. As the trail climbs above the buildings and viewpoint, it passes by several fenced holes, which were once air vents for the mine shafts below.

The rest of the hike is a steady climb through forest until, 200m before reaching the cirque, views open down the Bow Valley to Mount Rundle, the Three Sisters and other mountains beyond the town of Canmore.

Cirque is a term used by geologists to describe a semicircular, bowl-shaped depression created by an alpine glacier. C Level Cirque is a miniature example of the phenomenon. Though the glacier that produced the basin has long since disappeared, snow often lingers in the basin into midsummer. As it retreats, a carpet of yellow glacier lilies spreads across the damp, subalpine soil near its entrance. A tiny pond below the trail provides water throughout the summer, fed by the extensive snowfield on the talus slopes above.

From the rockslide at the edge of the cirque, a faint trail continues up to the right along a sparsely forested ridge to an even higher vantage point above the basin. However, most hikers prefer to "boot ski" the snowfield beneath Cascade's cliffs or simply relax on a convenient rock to watch the antics of the local inhabitants - hoary marmots, pikas and golden-mantled ground squirrels.

Required Items to Bring:
- Hiking boots
- Plenty of water
- Layered clothing for variable weather conditions
- Rain gear
- Lunch and snacks
- $ or park pass
- Change of footwear and bag for muddy boots

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Bear Spray
- Hiking poles
- Gaiters
- Camera
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Bug spray

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take the Trans Canada west to the Banff East Exit interchange. Follow the Lake Minnewanka Road 3.5km to the Upper Bankhead Picnic Area. The trail begins at the far (west) end of the picnic area parking lot.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

260Km

Carpool Departure Time:

9:00 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $78.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.30, effective Friday, April 19, 2024). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Wendy W and Lynda H., at content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Cost & Payment:

Voluntary Donations:

Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: