Elk Island Hike - Shirley Lake Trail - Sun, Dec 4 2016

Elk Island Hike - Shirley Lake Trail (12/4/2016)

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: Elk Island National Park
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Dec 4 2016  11:00 AM
Registration Cut Off: Sun, Dec 4 2016 10:00:00 PM
Event Duration:3 - 4 hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Event Coordinator(s): Mark G
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 10 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
The plan is to spend a few hours outdoors away from the city in Elk Island hiking the Shirley Lake Trail (12.5km). Note, however, that we may continue further if time and or conditions allow. Please pack a lunch or sufficient snacks as we will eat lunch either at the trailhead or along the trail.

The hike will be a moderate pace (about 3-4 km/hr) with occasional stops to enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and to enjoy snacks / warm drinks etc.

We are hoping for favourable weather but should temperatures be too cold (day time of -20 Celsius or less, also factoring wind chill), than this event may be cancelled. Please take note of the required items and come prepared for snow and the cold.

Since I am coming from the North East, I am not organizing a centralized car pool in Edmonton. However, participants may contact one another to arrange transportation together. Any concerns, let me know. I would like to meet as a group in Elk Island Park. Please take note that we will meet at the park information centre located a few hundred metres from the entry gate off Hwy 16. Look for my blue Toyota Matrix. From here, we will drive to the trailhead.

The trail is approximately 13 km long, and is fairly flat with only a few small hills. Check out the Elk Island National Park website link for more information on the Shirley Lake Trail.

If you don't have snowshoes (not required due to lack of snow coverage), one option for renting them is Mountain Equipment Co-op. For more info, see their website.
Totem Outfitters also rents out snowshoes.

Located less than an hour away from the Alberta capital of Edmonton, Elk Island National Park of Canada protects the wilderness of the aspen parkland, one of the most endangered habitats in Canada. This beautiful oasis is home to herds of free roaming plains bison, wood bison, moose, deer, elk and more. Also boasting over 250 species of birds, the park is a bird watcher’s oasis.


Required Items to Bring:
- Good winter hiking boots
- Appropriate clothing (layers)
- Lunch / snacks
- Water, energy drink, or warm drink
- Money for park admission ($7.80/adult) or a valid annual Parks Canada entrance pass 		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Ice grips

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Take Hwy 16 east to Elk Island. Turn left (north) at the signed turnoff for the main gate of Elk Island. Drive a few hundred metres from Hwy 16 to the park information centre (closed) where I will meet you. Look for my blue Toyota Matrix. Here we will drive together to the trailhead.

Notes:

- 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.

 
Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!
*Note: This event may be cancelled if the temperature that morning is -20°C or colder. It is your responsibility to check your emails for any last minute changes on the morning of the event.