Sparrowhawk Tarns - Sat, Sep 14 2019

Pour toutes informations en français, s'il vous plaît contactez French Liaison, Yannick à francais@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Sparrowhawk Tarns (9/14/2019)

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

Event Location:

Spray Valley Provincial Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Sep 14 2019 10:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:00 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Sep 13 2019 12:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

Approx. 5 hours + driving time

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

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

Member Cost:

$3.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info 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: 13.0 km return
Elevation Gain: 680m
Pace: Moderate and steady.
Priority: May be given to drivers. Note that the Smith Dorrien Trail is gravel.
Group: We will stay together as a group at all times.
Duration: Event duration may vary. Please do not sign up if you need to be back for another commitment.
Note: Your coordinator has never done this trip before.

From parking at the Sparrowhawk Day Use Area, the trail-head is on the other side of the Smith- Dorrien Trail.

Initially there is a short, moderate gain in elevation before the trail levels on the 5.1 KM (3¼ mile) route one- way with an elevation gain of 675 m (2,215 ft) to a maximum elevation of 2,410 m (7,907 ft). This is the same trail used to access Read's Ridge and Read's Tower.

At the cairn, about 0.9 KM (0.56 miles) from beginning, it is important to continue straight past the left turn to the trail for Read's Ridge. Initially the trail climbs above the valley hosting Sparrowhawk Creek before the hike continues adjacent to the cold, crystal-clear water of the creek. The trail to Sparrowhawk Tarns is initially through forest with multiple trail junctions along the way. Many of these intersections access the base of Read's Ridge before continuing along and past the base of Read's Ridge, gradually gaining elevation until breaks in the forest begin to provide dramatic views of Red Ridge on the right, Read's Tower on the left with 3121 m (10,239 ft) Mount Sparrowhawk peeking over the top. Massive 3,144 m (10,315 ft) Mount Bogart is beginning to consume the horizon ahead. Powerful imagery!

At the bottom of the bowl beneath Mount Bogart the number and size of the ponds vary by season. In the spring there are more and bigger tarns with lots of melt water caught in the basin. The scenery on the return hike is amazing. There is a sweep to the right after tracking the bottom of Red Ridge for considerable distance. A few meters past a large, very interesting boulder, the trail arrive at the cairn where the hike originally entered the area of massive rockfall. The remainder of the return hike tracks the base of Read's Ridge on familiar trail back to parking at the Spray Lakes Day Use Area.

Ref: Hiking with Barry.
This event may be cancelled if the forecast is not favourable.

Required Items to Bring:
- Cheerful disposition
- Cash to pay your driver and $3 fee (no e-mail transfers)
- Hiking boots (no runners)
- Bear Spray
- Water (at least one litre)
- Lunch, snacks
- Clothes for changeable weather including rain jacket
- Warm layers
- Plastic bag for your muddy boots for drive home

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

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take Hwy 1 west out of town. Go south on Hwy 40 for approx 56km. Turn right onto the Kananaskis Lakes Trail, and then just a short way down the road, turn right again onto the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Road (gravel road). Park at the Burstall Pass Trailhead.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

238Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $71.40 (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:

Member Cost:

$3.00/Person

Non-Member Cost:

$3.00/Person

Cost Includes:

Event fee for regular COC members: $3

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.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: