Black Rock Mountain - Sun, Oct 16 2016

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Black Rock Mountain (10/16/2016)

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:

Scramble

Event Location:

Ghost River Wilderness Area (NW of Cochrane)

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Oct 16 2016 10:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:00 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Oct 15 2016 6:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

5 to 6 hours

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

Lorrie W
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 Only, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Distance: 11 km (or 18km return if no high-clearance vehicles)
Elevation Gain: 923m
Summit Elevation: 2,462m
Difficulty: Hike/Light Scramble

IMPORTANT - Read:
This is one of those hikes/light scrambles where getting there is half the fun, but the event can only go ahead if we have high-clearance SUV-type vehicles or trucks for the carpool (which your coordinator does not have). Travel is on approximately 20km of rough gravel road each way, as well as through a dry riverbed (pictured above) if we want to eliminate the additional 7km 'roadside' walk. An alternate parking location exists (at mileager marker 16), but would add 3.5km of walking each way (i.e., 18km return hike). Preference is given to those who can commit to driving (i.e., indicate 'Definitely Driving' when signing up); others will be placed on the waiting list until enough appropriate vehicles are available. If you can drive, e-mail me with the vehicle you have and how many people (including yourself) you can take.

Black Rock Lookout sits atop this standalone mountain, offering views to Devil's Head, Mt. Aylmer, the valleys of the Ghost River and Waiparous Creek, and even the Calgary skyline. Starting across a riverbed and through forest, towards the top one is rewarded with rocky slopes, cliffs, a large plateau, and the packtrail reaching the summit (which has a very short section of slight exposure). The difficulty in reaching this trailhead makes it feel like one is heading into the wilderness (and yes, it does take 2 hours to get there).

Alternate Hike: This event is only possible in good conditions. Should Black Rock receive significant snow before Thursday, we will still head into the same area, but hike into Devil's Gap and Ghost Lakes instead. This would be an approximate 16km hike with minimal elevation (approximately D3).

Trail Directions:
   · Cross the creekbed.
   · Aim about 50m left of the sign indicating 'Black Rock Trail'.
   · Head up the old road.
   · Pass an old linesman’s cabin and trail notice board.
   · At the next junction, keep left.
   · Not much trailfinding required until you reach the cliffs.
   · At the cliff base, head left until a break appears. Going through this chimney is the only way up.
   · Continues across a large plateau. The lookout will be visible.
   · Before reaching the top, pass the crux – a short 2m-wide ridge.

References:
Official Guides, Maps & Weather:
   · Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, Second Edition, Gillean Daffern, pg. 28
   · Map: NTS 1:50,000 Lake Minnewanka 82- O/6
   · Canadian Rockies Backroad Mapbook, pg. 8 & 77
   · Google Earth coordinates: N51°20.066' W115°10.081'
   · Ghost Forest Map - Black Rock Mountain trail starts at trail marker 37.
   · NRC's Atlas of Canada - Zoomable topo map showing Black Rock Mountain.
   · Cochrane Weather
Trip Reports:
   · Bennett Wong’s Top of the World Website
   · Road not Taken - Bob Spirko
   · Photos from previous COC trip (June 2007)
   · Photos from previous COC trip (November 2008)
   · Access Road pictured at trail marker 39, which is further in than we will be going.

Other Important Stuff:
   · This is not a hike for beginners.
     You must have done at least three D5+ hikes this past summer.
     You coordinator will be checking your event history.
   · Pace & sticking together:
     Pace will be slower for the uphill and more moderate for the rest.
     If you like to race ahead or race to the top, do not sign up for this event.
   · Do not be in a rush to get back to Calgary.
     We will be out to enjoy the day and event duration may vary.

Required Items to Bring:
ALL items are mandatory or you stay in Calgary.
· Water and lunch
   · Proper hiking boots
   · Microspikes or icers
   · Clothes for varying weather conditions (high winds at top, snow;
     no jeans, cotton, runners, etc.)
   · Headlamp or flashlight (it gets dark early now)
   · First aid kit
   · Plastic bag for your dirty hiking boots for the way back
   · Garbage bag as your pack may end up on the back of a truck
   · A smile & sense of adventure :-)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
   · Hiking poles
   · Gaiters
   · Camera
   · GPS
   · Hot shots

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Note: Distances may vary slightly.
0km: Take Highway 1A from Calgary through Cochrane.
46km: Turn right (north) on Highway 40/940/Forestry Trunk Road (paved), just past the Wildcat Hills Gas Plant (this is approximately 3km before Ghost Lake). Continue through the villages of Benchlands and Waiparous.
71km: Junction with Richards Road (signed). Keep right on the main road, then 150m later (before the house) make a left onto TransAlta Road/Ghost River Road through a cattle gate (may or may not be open; close the gate behind you if you found it closed). This looks like you're driving onto someone's property and the road is now gravel. Ghost River will soon be down to your left.
Keep on the this main road to 88km (yellow mileage marker 16 on this road), disregarding all side roads and cut lines (i.e, do not turn right at orange trail markers 1 or 15). At 88km (yellow mileage marker 16) you will be the top of a steep hill descending to the Ghost River; this is where the road roughens and serves at the alternate parking spot for non-SUVs/trucks. At the bottom of the hill (orange trail marker 23) keep right and look for the 'gentle' spot across the dry Ghost River riverbed. You are aiming for the other side. Head up-valley along the riverbed, passing orange trail markers 31 and 35. At trail marker 37, turn right for about 100m and park by the creekbed. The trailhead is almost directly across from this point. Aim to head into the woods about 50m to the left of the trailhead sign for the easy way up.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

190Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $57.00 (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:

- 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: