PLPP Scenic Loop: Whiskey Jack, Tyrwhitt, Elk Pass, Boulton - Intermediate Level / Relaxed Pace (1/2/2016)

Distance: 19km
Total Elevation Gain: 510m, most of it in the first 5km
Pace: Relaxed, must be able to cover 19km in 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Everything from green to black trails

The Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (PLPP) ski trails are amongst the nicest you'll find around here, with wonderfully groomed tracks. Skiing up Whiskey Jack is a grunt, but the great thing is that you get a lot of elevation out of the way early in the day. Our first break will be at the picnic table at the top of the hill (about 5km in). From there we will ski a beautiful stretch along Tyrwhitt, where view first open up towards the south. There'll be another picnic table for another break. After that we continue up to Elk Pass, which will be the highest point on our loop. The picnic table there will likely mean an afternoon snack. The rest of the day is primarily downhill. First there'll be a short steep stretch down from Elk Pass, followed by a few km of perfectly sloped downhill to Fox Creek (steep enough to just glide, yet flat enough to not lose control). We then continue on Fox Creek, which will likely be the 1.4km stretch that may not be trackset. New Boulton Creek is open this winter (after damage from the floods) and is apparently a nice downhill back to the cars.

Note that this loop requires that you be comfortable on green, blue, and black XC ski trails. We won't be there to break any speed records (especially for the uphills in the first half of the day), but the expectation is that we will be able to ski the distance in around 4 - 4.5 hours, plus breaks that we take along the way. We don't care about pretty technique, but you must have skied at least 15km in the past, and know that you'll be able to make the distance. Expect to come home tired, but very satisfied.

Our route will consist of the following:
   · Connector: 0.5km, green/easy
   · Whiskey Jack: 4.5km, green/easy, blue/intermediate, and black/advanced
   · Tyrwhitt: 5.0km, green/easy, and blue/intermediate
   · Elk Pass Trail: 4.9km, green/easy, and blue/intermediate
   · Fox Creek Trail: 1.6km, green/easy, and blue/intermediate
   · Boulton Creek: 1.9km, green/easy

You can see the trail map here.

Carpool Note:
If I am short of drivers, I might give priority to those willing to drive, please indicate this accurately when you sign up.

It is expected that everyone meet at the carpool location. To keep carpool costs reasonable, we will be going in two vehicles with an equal number of participants in each. If there are drivers who can accommodate a total of four people with skis in their vehicle, event size may be increased up to a maximum of eight people.

COC Donations:
$2 COC donations are what keep our club running. Please give me your $2 donation at carpool or have a Premier Membership (which you can also get at carpool). Premier memberships are $25 for 12 months (effective date of purchase, not January - December).

A Premier Membership gets you the following benefits:
   · Premier members are not expected to provide per event ($2) donations.
   · Premier members receive event email notifications ahead of Regular members.
   · Premier members get priority sign-up for COC subsidized events.
   · Premier members get priority sign-up for some Learn events.
   · Premier members get food and are eligible for great prizes at our Volunteer & Premier Member Appreciation Party, as well as the AGM.
   · Premier members receive 10% discounts at Campers Village, including XC ski gear and annual National Park Passes.

References:
   · Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Weather Forecast
   · PLPP Live Grooming Report
   · Trail Report