Backpacking - Three Isle Lake, Kananaskis Country -- EVENT FULL - Fri, Jul 29 2011, Sat, Jul 30 2011, Sun, Jul 31 2011

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Backpacking - Three Isle Lake, Kananaskis Country -- EVENT FULL (7/29/2011)

PRE-REGISTRATION & PAYMENT 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. After you sign up at the bottom, you will be presented with information about how to pay. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.

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: Kananaskis Country
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Jul 29 2011, Sat, Jul 30 2011, Sun, Jul 31 2011  5:00 PM  (Carpool Departure: 4:30 PM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Jul 20 2011 11:55:00 PM
Event Duration:2 days, 2 nights
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Event Coordinator(s): Ryan
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:$15.50/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:1
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 6 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Three Isle Lake is located in Kananaskis Country, tucked in beneath the continental divide. The route from the trailhead at Upper Kananaskis Lake to the campground is 10.2 km, with an elevation gain of 490 m. Later on Saturday, or on Sunday morning, I would like to attempt a day hike to the South Kananaskis pass (2.8 km further from the campground, after an elevation gain of 136 m). If time allows, we might consider hiking further to Beatty Lake (~2 km further, after a 120 m descent in elevation).

A minimum group of 4 is needed for this trip, while the maximum group size for this event is 8 people. In order to register, you must first sign up on the waiting list. Then, you will need to submit payment to the EOC's treasurer. Once I have been notified that your payment has been received by the EOC's treasurer, your name will be moved to the registration list. A pre-trip meeting will be held on the evening of Wed. July 27th, at which time carpool arrangements and other logistical arrangements for the trip will be discussed. Further details (including the time/location of the meeting) will be e-mailed to participants.

Friday July 29
  • Depart Edmonton for Canmore. For a carpool, we would tentatively plan on leaving around 4:30-5 PM. At our pre-trip meeting we will determine what arrangements would work best for everybody. Since our hike doesn't start until Saturday morning, you may choose to leave Edmonton bright and early on the Saturday rather than staying in Canmore. However, I cannot guarantee that I can set up a carpool for Saturday. Refunds will not be given if carpool arrangements cannot be made.
  • Arrive in Canmore, and spend the night at the Hostel Bear hostel. The cost for one night at the hostel is $30, which can be paid on arrival.

    Saturday July 30
  • Depart Hostel Bear by 9 AM.
  • Arrive at trailhead ~ 10 AM.
  • Hike to our campsite, and set up our tents. I would anticipate that we would arrive at our campsite by ~ 2 to 2:30 PM.
  • (optional) Day hike to South Kananaskis Pass (2.8 km one-way)

    Sunday July 31
  • Break up campsite ~ 10 AM
  • Optional - further day hike to South Kananaskis Pass (especially if we do not make it there on Saturday). We will begin returning to our cars by 1 PM at the latest.
  • Late lunch/dinner at the Grizzly Paw pub in Canmore.
  • Return to Edmonton by late Sunday evening.

    Further notes: I have never hiked this particular trail before. According to hiking guides, the last stretch of the trail to the campground "may intimidate some novices", as a strenuous ascent up a head-wall is required before reaching the lake. Some improvements (i.e. stairs) have been installed so that we can make our way up this stretch safely, but the ascent could still be quite grueling, especially for novices. For some idea what we're in for, check out this photo posted by another hiker who followed this trail.

    As the overall elevation gain and distance on this hike are not excessive, this is an event that I believe would be appropriate for beginners. However, if you have never backpacked before, I strongly urge you to let me know in advance.

    When you sign up, please indicate if:
  • 1-You have a backcountry tent and how many people can fit in the tent
  • 2-You have a backcountry cooking stove
  • 3-you have a preference sharing a tent with male or female: WE WILL HAVE TO SHARE TENTS (at least 2 people per tent)

    Please note: I will be in England from July 9-23 and may not be able to quickly respond to inquiries about this trip until I return to Canada.

    • Required Items to Bring:
    $$ for hostel accommodation ($30/person - payable to the hostel upon arrival)
    Backpacking gear: i.e. a backpack, eating utensils, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.
    Water, food
    Warm clothing (hat, gloves) in case of inclement weather
    Raincoat    		Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
    Hiking poles
    Bear repellent
    Camera
    Water purifier
    Tent
    Backpacking stove
    First aid supplies

    How to Get There:
    Event Directions:To trailhead, from Canmore:
    Follow the Smith-Dorrien Spray Lakes trail from Canmore for approximately 57.2 km to Kananaskis Lakes Trail. Turn right onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail and follow the signs to North Interlakes Picnic Area/Parking lot and/or Mount Indefatigable.

    To the hostel, from Edmonton:
    The distance is approximately 391 kms from Edmonton. Allow 4-4.5 hours travel time. Drive south to Calgary on Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth II Hwy.) and from Calgary drive west on Highway 1 (Trans Canada Hwy) to Canmore.

    The Hostel Bear is located at 1002 Bow Valley Trail, on the west side of the street.


    View Larger Map
    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):1000Km
    Carpool Departure Time: 4:30 PM
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: The event coordinator(s) will help you to arrange a centralized carpool if you require it, but it's not guaranteed. Please DO NOT pay your driver en route. Passengers will pay the coordinator, and he/she will distribute the money to the carpool drivers. SO PLEASE BRING CASH!!! Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $290.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.29, effective Thursday, November 21, 2024). This is based on $0.09/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divided by 9. This cost will be multiplied by the number of carpooled cars, and divided by the number of carpool participants.

    Notes:

    - Registration is NOT COMPLETE until you've signed up and paid by the registration cut off date. The money must be in the EOC's possession by that date. No exceptions.
    - When a minimum group size appears, this is to let you know that the event will be cancelled with refunds to those who have already paid, if the minimum number of registered participants is not met. For any events where EOC needs a minimum number of participants, there will be absolutely no refunds of money if you cancel.
    - 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.

    Cost & Payment:
    Member Cost:$15.50/Person
    Non-Member Cost:$15.50/Person
    Cost Includes:
  • Backcountry camping fees for Twin Isle Lake campground ($12)
  • Share of $10 advance reservation fee for the backcountry camping permits ($1.25 to $2.50 per person, depending on group size)
  • 5% additional on top of fees to cover banking expenses incurred by the EOC

    *The total cost listed assumes $2.50/person for everyone's share of the backcountry fee. If I have collected more than needed, any excess funds will be donated to the EOC.

    • Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the EOC on Wed, Jul 20 2011.
    Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

    Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
    Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!
    *Note:

    Please take note of the EOC's Cancellation policy. In brief:

    Refunds:
    If you cancel prior to the registration cut-off, arrangements can be made for a refund of the $16 fee. If you cancel after the registration cut-off, the $16 fee will only be refunded if someone is able to claim your spot. Please ensure that you let me know by the Wednesday prior to the event if you are planning to cancel, as I need to give final numbers to the hostel.

    No-shows:
    If you cancel after the registration cut-off and there is a waiting list for the event, you will automatically receive a no-show. If there is not a waiting list, if your cancellation occurs late enough that pre-arranged carpool/tenting partnership plans are disrupted then you will still receive a no-show.