Powderface Explorer Loop (NCT Training Hike) - Sat, May 24 2014

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Powderface Explorer Loop (NCT Training Hike) (5/24/2014)

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:

Hwy 940, Southern Kananaskis

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, May 24 2014 9:15 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:30 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, May 22 2013 11:00:00 AM

Event Duration:

Maybe 8 hours, maybe more, maybe less. Expect a long day.

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:

None

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:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

IMPORTANT - Read:
   · This is a North Coast Trail training hike , which means that I will give preference to people signed up for the North Coast Trail event in August.
     Everyone will automatically end up on the wait list. Any spots not claimed by NCT people by Tuesday or Wednesday evening will be given to people on the wait list.
   · Expect some off-trail exploring, mud, and snow. This isn't the typical tourist hike up and down Powderface.
   · Do not sign up if rain scares you. We are training for the NCT, so rain and mud (and slogging through snow) will be good for us.
     Please do not cancel late in the week if you don't like the weather.
   · You must have hiked 15km+ at least a few times in the past year in order to attend.
   · Do not be in a rush to get back to the city. We are out to explore and event duration may vary.
   · We will be going at a slower pace for the uphill portions, and more moderate for the downhill. This is not a hike for speed demons.
   · We will take two vehicles of four people each. Do not indicate that you can drive if you cannot fit four people in your vehicle.

Distance: 20km
Total Elevation Gain: 859m
Net Elevation Gain: 378m
Trailhead Elevation: 1,710m
Summit Elevation: 2,088m

Note that this is not the typical hike up and down Powderface Ridge. Instead, we will hike a counter-clockwise loop beginning at the Rainy Creek lay-by. If you have Gillean Daffern's Kananaskis Country Trail Guide - Volume 2: West Bragg | The Elbow | The Jumpingpound (4th edition, i.e., the red book), you can read more in the trips noted below. Our loop will consist of:

Trip 28B - Rainy Creek Trails - 2km, 152m elevation gain. Old logging road to logging camp meadow.
Trip 28E - Cow Col - 2km, 30m elevation gain, 91m elevation loss. Flats, gully, short steep section.
Trip 21 - Powderface Creek - 3.4km, maybe 350m elevation gain.
Trip 56A - North Powderface Ridge - 3.8km return, 152m elevation gain & loss.
Trip 31/31A - Powderface Ridge - 4.1km, maybe 175m gain, gentle downhill.
Trip 30 - Rainy Summit - 2.3km, 405m elevation loss. No trail, just blazed route. Occasionally steep and stony.
Trip 28F - Rainy Summit Connector - 2.4km, 82m elevation loss. Grassy meadows, logging roads, some marked bushwhacking shortcuts.

References:
   · GemTrek Bragg Creek & sheep Valley Map
   · Kananaskis Country Trail Guide - 4th edition, Volume 2 by Gillean Daffern. Trips 28B, 28E, 21, maybe 56A, 31/31A, 30, and 28F. Map 2.
   · Bragg Creek Weather

Required Items to Bring:
ALL of these items are mandatory or you stay in the city:
   · Water/drinks and lunch
   · Proper hiking boots
   · Microspikes or icers
   · Bear spray
   · Clothes for varying weather conditions (incl. wind & rain)
   · First aid kit
   · Plastic bag for your dirty hiking boots for the way back
   · A smile and sense of adventure :-)

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

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Distances are approximate from Richmond Road:
   · 0km - Head west on Hwy 8. 2.
   · 24km - At the traffic circle, turn onto Hwy 22 towards Bragg Creek.
   · 38km - Turn right (west) onto Hwy 66.
   · 61km - Park on south side of the highway in the Rainy Creek lay-by.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

125Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:30 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $37.50 (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:

Winter Safety Considerations
Entered by Barbara on May 19, 2014.
Terrain Classification: Unrated front-range terrain. Winter gates and area trails are now open.
Conditions: Low in Alpine, Low at Treeline, Low Below Treeline.
Plan: If conditions are unfavourable for or if deeper snow is encountered, this event will be cancelled or another hike selected.
Note that COC event coordinators are volunteers and are not trained guides. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, current trail conditions and current avalanche conditions for the trip.

- 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.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: