Club Events 2002/2003

Trip List Calendar

2003-06-11 : COC - Inline Skating near Glenmore Inn
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Graeme, Rhonda S, Tina Praught, Lora Risk

This was our first club skate on this trail, which is great - nice, smooth, and un-hilly. The trail starts near Glenmore Inn and parallels the canal all the way out to Chestermere. We did 6km one-way and then turned around and went back. All the way to Chestermere is about 20km, and apparently there's a picnic area at the other end of the trail. Perhaps one of these days we'll go the whole way.


2003-06-17 : COC - Rae Glacier
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, michelle p., Holly P, Graeme, Karen, Heather MacDonald

What an amazing day! I was so pleased to get this many people out on a weekday, and the conditions were perfect. Who needs that stupid job anyway! A highlight of this trip was having Emanuele, an Italian traveling through Canada, join us for the day.

We had a short hike to Elbow Lake, which would make an IDEAL spot for a walk-in camping trip, which we're hoping to put together soon.

Then, up to Rae Glacier. We had lunch at the glacier, and Emanuele, Holly and Karen climbed up into the glacier and tobogganed down on a plastic bag. We ran into some snowboarders who climb up the glacier (as far as the debris) and board down.

During lunch, there was a small avalanche on the glacier above and to the right. It was small, but the loud cracking noise, and the falling snow, gave us a tense moment or two.


2003-06-21 : COC - Millarville Farmers Market


2003-06-25 : COC - Glenmore Reservoir
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Graeme

The first club Mountain Biking event - great weather, and an excellent trail!


2003-06-28 : COC - Blue Hill Lookout
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Graeme, Lora Risk, Bridget, Holly P, Rhonda S

We have renamed this hike the "Buns of Steel" hike.

We drove up to this hike, which is near Sundre, via the Forestry Trunk Road, NW of Cochrane. The road was gravel most of the way, and was very rough in spots. The scenery was quite nice for those of us in the front car... those in the back just ate our dust. We came back on Highway 22 so that we didn't have to do the gravel road all the way again.

This was a really tough hump up a road to the lookout station on Blue Hill - 8km one-way, so 16km round-trip. The view, in my humble opinion, was not worth the effort to get there. Bridget and Ethel gave up before reaching the top, and the rest of us nearly gave up a few times, too.

One of the best things about this hike was talking with Sharon, the lookout lady, at the top. She was really nice, but had some horror stories about people going up to lookouts and intruding on the watch people's privacy (for example, helping themselves to their cabin and/or food... taking photos of them bathing). I had learned of this trail from Mike Potter's "Fire Lookout Hikes", and she specifically mentioned that book as doing a tremendous disservice to the lookout watch people as it has dramatically increased the amount of traffic up to the lookouts, but has not provided people with information about respecting the lookouts. She recommends that anyone wanting to hike up to fire lookouts to call the Alberta Government Right Number, 310-0000, and speak with Land and Forest to confirm that the lookout is receptive to visitors, and that it's a good time to visit (ie. they're not on high alert for fires). It was a real eye-opening experience.


2003-07-03 : COC - Inline Skating near Glenmore Inn


2003-07-08 : COC - Grotto Canyon
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Jennifer Martin, Tina Praught, Emily Praught, Lora Risk

The forecast was iffy for today - calling definitely for rain in Calgary, and maybe rain in Canmore. We decided to go anyway, and it was great! The weather and conditions were perfect.

We hiked in from the official trailhead down the gravel path, and then down the stream. The canyon was amazing, the pictograms were small, the waterfall was lovely. A terrific hike.


2003-07-09 : COC - Inline Skating near Glenmore Inn


2003-07-12 : COC - Race City
Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Graeme, Rhonda S, Joel W. (SquarePants)

In direct contrast with the Millarville Farmer's Market, this is by far the most testosteroney event that we do.

The first time that we went to Race City this year was the day that I decided I absolutely *had to* put my classic car back on the road. I have a 1976 Olds Omega that my Grandfather bought brand new in '76, and which I inherited in '85. I've had it on the road for almost a month, now, after being in storage for more than two years, and boy is it fun!

Graeme, Joel and I had a great time watching the races this eve with the "Legends" being a new fave. There was some good racing action, including one fabulous wipe-out in which one of the cars (I believe it was during the mini-stocks) hit the wall in front of the spectators. There was a ton of smoke, a bit of fire, and lots of gnashing sounds (pronounced "guh-nashing" by the commentator).

A very enjoyable evening, although I must admit that I'm never completely satisfied when they don't have either the Figure 8's or Demolition Derby. You have to cut me some slack, though... I AM originally from Red Deer.


2003-07-13 : COC - Volcano Ridge
Event Coordinator(s): David Allan, Karen P
Participants: Sandy Bruce, Rhonda S, Graeme, David Allan, Karen

Today's hike began with a gentle meander through a meadow before a short but moderately steep ascent to a shale covered shoulder just south of Volcano ridge. The ascent was heavily accented with an abundance of colourful wild flowers and views to the east & south of tree covered hills and valleys.

We ate lunch on the shoulder where we were rewarded with an incredible view of mountains to the west and rolling hills to the east. We then began the relatively easier descent on Link Creek Trail to Volcano Ridge Trail, Gorge Creek Trail & back to the trailhead. The descent wound through pine forests broken by the occasional meadow and small creek crossings. Animal tracks were visible in the dried mud including what looked to be bear tracks. This small loop is part of a much larger trail system all accessible by hiking, bikes or horses.

There were a couple of enticing side trip possibilities from the shoulder we ate lunch on, one to a rocky knoll to the south and a scramble along Volcano Ridge to the north.

This 11 km hike was well worth the effort and included a wide variety of terrain.

-- Dave and Karen


 < 1 2 3 4 >  Last ›