Gypsum Ridge/Blackshale Suspension Bridge (3/25/2023)

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:

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Mar 25 2023 10:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:30 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Mar 24 2023 7:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

4 - 5 hours + driving

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

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

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, All Ages Welcome

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Gypsum Ridge Distance: 6.3km
Elevation Gain: 495m
Recent Alltrails reviews say the trail is well packed and has a few steep sections. Views from the top are spectacular, with Spray Valley visible to the N/NW and the Kananaskis Lakes to the SE. We will be hiking at a moderate pace..

Blackshale Suspension Bridge
Distance 6.1km
Elevation Gain: 333m
Easy hike along the High Rockies Trail. The bridge is typically closed in the winter so we will have to access the conditions. There is a bypass trail around the bridge.
We will do Gypsum Ridge first and then walk down the Smith Dorrien Highway to the trailhead for the Blackshale Suspension Bridge.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass fees apply for any vehicle access into Kananaskis Country. The mandatory fee of: Day pass - $15 (registers one vehicle) or Yearly pass - $90 (registers up to 2 vehicles) applies. You can purchase your pass beforehand,online at:
Kananaskis Conservation Pass

Required Items to Bring:
· Proper hiking boots, preferably waterproof as there is snow
- drink & lunch
- gaiters
- hiking poles
- icers
- Kananaskis Conservation Pass if you are driving

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Camera
- first aid kit
- bearspray

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take the Trans Canada Hwy west from Calgary for approximately 70km, then turn south on Hwy 40 for approximately 50km (to where the gate is). Turn right onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail, then right again onto the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail (Hwy742). Continue approx. 2-3km past the Peninsula Day Use Area. If you cross Blackshade Creek you have gone just a little too far. There will be an obvious clearing on the west side of the road.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

200Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:30 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $70.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.35, effective Wednesday, June 7, 2023). 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
This information entered by Julie Jack March 23, 2023
Terrain Classification: Simple (Class-1)
Forecast Avalanche Danger Level:
Alpine : considerable
Treeline : considerable
Below Treeline : moderate
Some or all of this event takes place in Simple (Class-1) terrain. Should the avalanche danger rise to High or Extreme at any elevation on the day of the event, it will be cancelled, or moved to an area free of avalanche hazard.

- 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: