Waterton Canada Day Weekend (Camping) (6/28/2013)

IMPORTANT - Read:
Please read the full event description before signing up. As this is an overnight event (two nights), in order to attend you must have:
   · Completed at least one previous event coordinated by the coordinator.
   · Have your own camping gear, including tent, sleeping bag, and cooking items OR accommodation elsewhere within Waterton townsite.
   · Done one at least three D4+ hikes in the past year.
   · Carpool and do all the hikes with the group.
   · Main goals are: easy hike on first day (D2), loooong day hike on second day (D5), medium to long hike last day (D4).
   · E-mail your coordinator with any questions before signing up.

Friday, June 28:
   · 8:30am - Leave Calgary.
   · Drive to Waterton.
   · Hike to Bertha Lake and Falls (5.8km return, 150m elevation gain).
   · Dinner, free time for rest of the evening, maybe explore shoreline. Pretty much everything in Waterton will be within walking distance from the campground.

Bertha Lake and Falls
(from Glacier-Wateron International Peace Park by Vicky Spring:

"Both the falls and the lake are popular destinations. The hike to falls is on a broad trail with only moderate elevation gain, numerous viewpoints, and signs to explain the different vegetation. The falls are pretty, though not spectacular; the cree, however, is a popular wading and foot-bathing area. Beyond the falls is a series of steep switchbacks. Beautiful subalpine Bertha Lake, in its deep valley, is worth the effort it takes to hike there."

Saturday, June 29:
   · Take 8:00am hiker shuttle ($13.50 - bring exact change) to Carthew-Alderson Trailhead, which we will hike one way back to our campsites/townsite (19- 21km, 700m elevation gain, over 1,000m elevation loss).
   · Potluck dinner, free time for rest of the evening.

Carthew-Alderson Traverse
(from Glacier-Wateron International Peace Park by Vicky Spring:

"This very popular traverse from Cameron Lake to Waterton Park townsite is an ideal one-way hike. Moderately difficult, it take you to a high alpine country at windswept Carthew Pass, then descends along the shores of four high alpine lakes, traverses beautiful meadows, passes waterfalls, and crosses through deep cirques before ending at the townsite."

Sunday, June 30:
   · 9:00am - Hike to Upper Rowe Lake and maybe a bit beyond (12-15km, 500-800m elevation gain).
   · Late afternoon - Start heading back to Calgary. Possibly stop in For Macleod for dinner. Expect a late return to Calgary.

Rowe Lakes
(from Glacier-Wateron International Peace Park by Vicky Spring:

"Like diamonds, these two lakes appear slightly different every time you look at them. In the early summer the lakes lie in a setting of brilliant flowers, dominated by the white tassels of bear grass. In midsummer, the lakes take on a greenish glow, reflecting the color of the surrounding hillsides."

Accommodation - Waterton Townsite Campground
(you must follow the directions in this section before you are moved to the attendee list):
You are responsible for making your own reservation

Book your campsite through the Parks Canada website here.
   · Select Frontcountry Camping.
   · Park: Waterton Lakes
   · Arrival Date: June 28, 2013
   · Two nights
   · Equipment: Small Tent (2-3 person tent; you will not be allowed to have larger tents)
   · Party Size: Select four to be safe (in case you wish to share a site; price is the same)
   · Click on find sites by map
   · Click on Townsite
   · Click on loop H
   · Select a site and follow steps for payment

Total camping fee for the two nights in Loop H is $56.00 per site ($22.50 per site x 2 nights + $11.00 reservation fee).

Sharing Accommodation:
If you wish to share a tent/accommodation, it is up to you to work the details out with someone. I will keep the information below up- to-date as to where everyone is staying if you are looking for someone to share accommodations with.

Waterton Townsite Campground Loop H (same campsite both nights):
   · Tent 1 - Barbara
   · Tent 2 - Ivy

Waterton Townsite Campground Loop H on Friday night and Loop G on Saturday night:
   · Tent 3 - Syed
   · Tent 4 - Malcolm

Note that you will remain on the waiting list until you have e- mailed your coordinator where you will be staying. You must also meet the criteria noted in red above. Your spot on the waiting list does not matter; first people to have reserved/paid accommodation are the first to get on.

References:
   · Waterton Weather
   · Waterton Trail Report (Parks Canada)

Costs:
   · Accommodation for two nights - you book your own
   · $13.50 hiker shuttle - bring exact change, to be paid to driver on Saturday
   · National Park Pass or $ for entry for three days. If you ride in on someone else's pass, COC suggests you contribute $3/day.
   · $ for carpool driver - see amount below, divided by number of people per vehicle
   · $ for dinner in Fort Macleod on way back