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Don't be late!
We will expect to arrive at the trailhead at about 12:00 PM
Elk island is an island of natural beauty in Edmonton's back yard, so get away from the city for a few hours and enjoy a day out in the bush. The hike or snowshoe will be a moderate pace (3-4 km/hr) with occasional stops to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
If there is enough snow for snowshoes or cleats, we will do both the Amisk Wuche Trail (2.5 km), and Beaver Pond Trails (3.5km). These will be good trails for beginner and first of season snowshoe, with time to warm up between hikes.
If the trails are dry, we could hike the longer Shirley Lake Trail 12.6 km (3 - 4 hours).
CHECK YOUR EMAILS A COUPLE DAYS PRIOR TO THE HIKE, AS CONDITIONS WILL DICTATE WHICH TRAIL WE DO AND WHETHER SNOWSHOES ARE REQUIRED.
Beaver Pond - Trappers had eliminated beavers from the park by the mid 1800s. Park staff reintroduced them in the 1940s. This trail is characterized by evidence of beaver activity near the trailhead. Lodges that are overgrown with vegetation are abandoned. The open aspen forest is ideal for observing large mammals grazing in winter, and birdwatching in summer.
Amisk Wuch Trail - The name is Cree Indian name for Beaver Hills. The trail winds through aspen, birch, and spruce stands, through small lakes and beaver ponds.
Shirley Lake is named after the daughter of Dr. Love, an early superintendent. Numerous shallow lakes and ponds along the trail make it ideal for observing nesting waterfowl. The trail also passes through meadows where the elk can occasionally be spotted, particularly at dawn and dusk.
As with any shoulder season hike, this one will be weather dependent. Please bring good footwear and dress for the weather. If there is a decent amount of snow, you will need to rent or buy snowshoes, if you don't already have them. If there is not enough snow for snowshoes, cleats will be sufficient. We will see closer to the date what conditions we have.
If you have any questions on where to get snowshoes or any other information, please email me.
| Required Items to Bring: Good hiking boots, possibly cleats, or even snowshoes, depending on the trail conditions. Weather appropriate clothing; dress in layers Water Money for carpool and park admission. Park admission is $7.80 per person, and your share of the carpool will probably come out to around $6.00 or $7.00. Please bring small bills - it's often hard to make change. | | Recommended Items to Bring: Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need. Water, Lunch or a snack Camera |
NOTE: I WILL EMAIL YOU THE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT ONCE I CHECK TRAIL CONDITIONS AND WE SEE WHAT THE WEATHER IS LIKE, THIS WILL DETERMINE WHICH TRAIL WE DO. AND I WILL EMAIL YOU, HAND OUT MAPS AGAIN AT THE CARPOOL LOCATION SO WE CAN MEET IN THE CORRECT SPOT AT THE TRAILHEAD, AT THE RIGHT TRAIL!
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If no one has a pass, park admission is $7.80 per person or $19.60 for a vehicle pass good for up to 7 people.
- We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in EOC events.
- Please scroll through and read the entire online waiver when you sign up.
- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.
Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!
*Note: This event will be cancelled if the temperature that morning is -22°C or colder. It is your responsibility to check your emails for any last minute changes on the morning of the event.