Devon Lakes Remote Backpacking Adventure - Fri, Aug 7 2015, Sat, Aug 8 2015, Sun, Aug 9 2015, Mon, Aug 10 2015, Tue, Aug 11 2015

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Devon Lakes Remote Backpacking Adventure (8/7/2015)

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 will then make your payment for this event at the venue, NOT in advance to the COC.

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 - Backpack

Event Location:

Insert

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, Aug 7 2015, Sat, Aug 8 2015, Sun, Aug 9 2015, Mon, Aug 10 2015, Tue, Aug 11 2015 11:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:30 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Jun 25 2014 8:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

5 days / 4 nights

Difficulty Rating:

D6: Difficult to Advanced

Event Coordinator(s):

Barbara B.
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

$58.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

IMPORTANT - Read:
   · Requirements:
     This is a multi-day backpacking trip to one of the most remote, yet stunning areas of Banff National Park.
     We will be far from help (30km from the nearest road) and must be fully self-sufficient. As such, I will only accept people who meet the following criteria:
          - Have multi-day backpacking experience. No exceptions.
          - Must have all your own gear, including a food cache (no exceptions; there is no opportunity for hanging food at Devon Lakes).
          - Must include responses to questions 1-7 below when signing up.
   · Sign-Up Priority:
          - Until June 23 priority is given to Premier members, coordinators, and volunteers.
                - This is a benefit for Premier members as a very limited number of spots are available.
                - Other Premier benefits include:
                     - Receiving event notifications a few hours before Regular members.
                     - Priority sign-up for events subsidized by the COC (i.e., First Aid Training, ski lessons, etc.).
                     - Covers your COC donations for 12 months from date of purchase.
                     - 10% off at Camper's Village (this includes annual National Park Passes).
          - On June 23 registration opens to all Regular members.
   · Cancellations/Refunds:
     Once you have paid, you are committed to the trip. No refunds will be given and your coordinator will not be dealing with payment beyond the original payment.
     Should you need to cancel, you may make arrangements with the next person on the waiting list if (and only if) they meet all the requirements above.

When signing up you must e-mail responses to the following to the coordinator:
     Without answers to these I will skip to the next person on the wait list.
           1) What gear you have (i.e., tent, stove/fuel, food cache, water filter, tarp).
           2) Who you prefer to share a tent with (this is not guaranteed).
           3) If you can drive and how many people + backpacking gear you can take (including yourself). The plan is to take one vehicle only.
           4) Your backpacking experience.
           5) What part of the city you live in (to determine carpool location).
           6) Your acknowledgement that you understand that we are random camping for two of the four nights
               and that you will have a bear-proof container for food and toiletries (no-one will be allowed to attend without one).
           7) Your acknowledgement that you have reviewed the References noted below.

Now onto the fun stuff :-).

Trail Stats & Description:
   · Eye Candy: Numerous passes, lakes, meadows, glaciers, most of the trip is above treeline
   · Distance: 60km (30km each way + whatever we do for day trip on day 3)
   · Net Elevation Gain: 760m
   · Total Elevation Gain: 1,900m + whatever we do for day trip on day 3
   · Sunset: 9:50pm
   · Sunrise: 5:34am
   · Pace: Relaxed

This is an opportunity to hike to one of the most scenic and remote parts of Banff National Park. Each leg of the trip itself is ranked as a premier hike in the Canadian Rockies. To string these all together provides a constant visual feast. After just two hours from the trailhead (at elevation 1,830m), one breaks out from the trees and into expansive wildflower meadows leading gently up to North Molar Pass (2,590m). From here on, the remainder of the trip is virtually all above treeline. From North Molar Pass we drop down to Upper Fish Lake (2,225m) , which is nestled between a fortress-like wall and spacious alplands, and spend the night.

Continuing on on Day 2, we will aim to take what some are referring to as the highline. This is not the official trail (the official trail dips into the valley, requiring elevation loss which then would need to be re- gained). So, we will aim to stay high, and continue along this exhilarating high- country traverse, passing Moose Lake early in the day. "Pipestone Pass (2,460m) is starkly alluring, most frighteningly feral, and a superb vantage. Lonelier yet are the rolling alplands of Clearwater Pass (2,340m) . And Devon Lakes (2,315m) are on the edge of the back-of-beyond".

Day 3 will be a free day where we do not need to pack up our tents and we have numerous options for activities that day. One can go to Upper Devon Lakes (we are required to camp at Lower Devon Lake), head up some peaks for even better vantage points, ramble in the expansive alplands, or simply take it easy by the lakes. It may not be such a stretch to haul in one of those cheapo Walmart inflatable boats or pool air mattresses (you probably don't want to use your Thermarest for this) and laze around the lakes. We will be camped right by a lake every single night on this trip.

On Day 4 we begin to retrace our steps back to Fish Lakes. Depending on weather and the energy of the group, we may wish to explore a different route, but people do say that the trip feels like a whole new trip when done in reverse. If you plan ahead, you can hang a bag of food on the bear pole at Fish Lake on Day 1 for you to retrieve on Day 4 (store some brownies there, chips, you name it).

On the last day we hike out from Fish Lakes back to the trailhead. By that time we'll likely be craving a big greasy meal, so will stop for dinner in Lake Louise (the pub downstairs in the Post Hotel, or for lasagna upstairs in the Lake Louise Inn) before returning to Calgary. Expect an evening return to Calgary.

Friday, August 7:
   · Drive to trailhead, 2.5 hours
   · Hike to Fish Lakes campground (Mo18) via North Molar Pass
   · Expansive meadows and alpine hiking from km 8 onwards
   · 15.2km / 760m elevation gain of hiking
   · Set up camp
   · Dinner, relax

Saturday, August 8:
   · 9:00am - Hike From Fish Lakes via Moose Lake, Pipestone and Clearwater Passes to Devon Lakes
   · 14.5km of hiking.
   · We will aim to stay as high as possible to minimize elevation gains/losses.
   · Lakes, meadows, glaciers along the way.
   · Set up random camp near Lower Devon Lake where we will stay for two nights.

Sunday, August 9:
   · Free day / day to relax.
   · Options include: Upper Devon Lakes, easy scrambling, rambling, or floating in one of the lakes.
     Big time bonus points to anyone who can bring one of those flimsy Walmart inflatable boats, pool air mattress, etc.
   · Second night camped at Lower Devon Lakes.

Monday, August 10:
   · 9:00am - Hike back to Fish Lakes.
   · 14.5km of hiking.
   · Might be able to explore along a different route.

Tuesday, August 11:
   · 9:00am - Hike out from Fish Lakes to Trailhead.
   · 15.2km of hiking.
   · Dinner in Lake Louise.
   · Late return to Calgary.

Tent Sharing Groups:
(This list will be updated as people sign up and spots are filled).
· Tent 1: Barbara & Phyllis
· Tent 2: Jana & Jamie

Carpool:
As this is an overnight event, we do not want to leave cars in public parking lots. Carpool location will be sent to participants before the trip.

References:
   · Matt Clay | Zenfolio - great trip report, photos, map, and GPS track
   · Fish Lakes Hike | AlbertaWow - shows trail from trailhead to Fish Lakes
   · Pipestone Pass | Devon Lakes - great photo album
   · Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies by Kathy & Craig Copeland, Trips 80 and 88
   · Lake Louise Weather

Registration opens at 7:00pm on Monday, June 15.

Required Items to Bring:
ALL of these items are mandatory or you stay in the city:
   · Tent, footprint, and tarp
   · Sleeping bag & sleeping pad
   · An official bear-proof food cache
     (There is no opportunity to hang food and containers not
     specifically designed for this will not be accepted).
   · Bear spray
   · Proper backpacking boots (no runners or the like)
   · Meals and drinks for 5 days
   · Layered clothing (no cotton)
   · Toque & mitts
   · Rain gear
   · Backpack with rain cover
   · Water filter and Aquatabs
   · First Aid Kit, blister stuff
   · Hiking poles
   · Gaiters
   · Plastic bag for your dirty hiking boots for the way back
   · Also refer to COC's Backpacking Checklist
   · A smile and sense of adventure :-)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
   · Camera
   · GPS
   · Bear bangers
   · Mosquito head net
   · Inflatable boat / pool air mattress

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Will be given out at carpool.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

430Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:30 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $129.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.30, effective Thursday, April 18, 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:

Good communication is essential to get a backpack trip organized. When you are asked for payment, clarifications on gear, carpooling, etc., it is expected that you respond within 24 hours or your spot will be given to someone else.
- 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:

Member Cost:

$58.00/Person

Cost Includes:

Trip cost is:

   · $58 for COC Regular Members. This includes:
       - $43 for Wilderness Pass, camping permit, bivouac permit, and reservation fee.
       - $10 ($2/day) COC donation to keep the club running.
       - $5 towards emergency communication carried on the trip (inReach).
       Save $10 if you get a COC Premier membership (see below).

   · $48 for COC Premier Members or Coordinators. This includes:
       - $43 for Wilderness Pass, camping permit, bivouac permit, and reservation fee.
       - $5 towards emergency communication carried on the trip (inReach).

   · $25 for a COC Premier membership.
     - Priority sign-up for this event if you get the Premier membership through this event's coordinator.
       - Covers your COC donations for 12 months.
       - Enjoy our membership benefits, including receiving event notifications hours before regular members,
         10% discounts at Campers Village (including Park passes), annual Premier member appreciation night
         (with lots of prizes).
       - Valid for 12 months from date of purchase (not January - December).

Payment is to be made by Interac e-transfer only (to barbara [dot] b [at] shaw [dot] ca).

Cost includes:
   · Parks Canada Wilderness Pass (required to overnight in the backcountry)
   · Camping permit for two nights at Fish Lake
   · Bivouac permit for two nights at Devon Lakes
   · Reservation Fee
   · COC donation (Regular members only) - to keep the website & club running
Cost DOES NOT include:
   · Carpool costs
   · Anything not stated as included

Make a Payment:

Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the COC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $5.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
*Note: Once you have paid, you are committed to the trip. No refunds will be given and your coordinator will not be dealing with payment beyond the original payment. Should you need to cancel, you may make arrangements with the next person on the waiting list if (and only if!) they meet all the requirements above. This person must be approved by your coordinator before you contact them as your replacement. In the very unlikely event that this trip would be cancelled (i.e., major blizzard, road closure, etc.), you will receive a refund, less $2 (to cover loss of e-transfer fee).