Glacier Lake and Hoodoo Creek Day Hikes - Sat, May 6 2017, Sun, May 7 2017

Glacier Lake and Hoodoo Creek Day Hikes (5/6/2017)

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. You will then make your payment for this event at the venue, NOT in advance to the EOC.

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:Overnight
Event Location: Clearwater County, AB
Date(s) & Time:Sat, May 6 2017, Sun, May 7 2017  7:15 AM  (Carpool Departure: 7:45 AM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Thu, May 4 2017 10:00:00 PM
Event Duration:2 days, 1 night
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Event Coordinator(s): Beata
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:$30.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:13
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 8 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

CARPOOL: meeting in front of Good Earth Coffeehouse (936 91 ST SW) at 7:15am and departing 7:45am. When you arrive please introduce yourself to others and start making your carpool and tent arrangements. :)

Due to weather changes there is tons of snow up in Wilcox Pass and since it's a class 2 terrain we will not be attempting this trail during winter like conditions. I have renamed the event to reflect the planned day hikes. You can expect some mix of slush/mud/gravel. Waterproof shoes and microspikes are a must for this trip.

Please note: I will be travelling with my puppy on this event

Glacier Lake on saturday: Distance: 18 km, Elevation: 400m, Time: 8+ hrs. Trail head is found at the back of the parking lot across from the Saskatchewan Crossing Resort. We will cross the foot bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. At the 2.2 km mark we will get to the Howse River View Point. Interesting to note that David Thompson who led a group of fur traders camped at this very spot for several days in 1807. From this historical viewpoint we can see Howes Pass, Mount Murchison, Mount Outram, the Sir James Glacier and the beautifully coloured Howes River. We will then follow the trail to the right (west) as it drops down towards the river. The trail meanders upstream along the banks of the Howes River for another 2Kms or so then enters a lush spruce, fir and pine forest. Lots of wildflowers and mushrooms can be found on this section of the trail. We'll eventually reach a signed trail junction that points towards the Glacier Lake Campground. The trail splits here towards Glacier Lake and the dangerous Howes River crossing that joins the historic Howse Pass Trail, part of the great divide trail. From the junction it's a short distance down to Glacier Lake. Glacier Lake is the fourth largest lake in Banff National Park. It is 4.6kms long and .9kms wide. The lake is fed from the massive Lyell Glacier that whispers your name 8.5 kms west of here. Please note a portion of this hike will be in the dark, tent set up will be after this hike and will likely be in the dark as well.

Hoodoo Creek on sunday: Distance: 6km, Elevation: 420m, Time: 4 hours. The trailhead for Hoodoo Creek is 3 kms south of Windy Point just east of David Thompson Resort. We will follow the trail as it ascends the creek canyon until we reach the Hoodoos. The Hoodoos and the large boulders resting on top look like they're going to fall at any moment. From here the trail disappears and the hike turns into an easy creek and canyon scramble. Hoodoo Creek runs crystal clear and is very inviting on a hot day. The clear stream pools found amongst the rock slaps are beautiful. As you scramble your way up the canyon you'll see a cave opening on your right. A short quick hike up the scree slope places you in the caves entrance. The cave has a very large cavern with a tunnel leading towards the back wall where it looks like another tunnel extends on higher above. A few old trees have been dragged to this point to use as a ladder.

Front country camping: Two O'clock Creek Campground is found in the Kootenay Plains Provincial Recreation Area, 67 km west of Nordegg on Hwy. 11. This scenic campground offers both unserviced sites suitable for RVs and walk-in sites. Most sites are found in open grassland, with a few found next to Two O'clock Creek. $27 per site. Amenities include: firepits, firewood ($), waterpump (untreated), pit/vault toilets, cooking shelter.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Microspikes
  • Headlamps
  • Daypack
  • Water and food
  • Warm clothing and layers
  • Bear spray
  • Tent
  • Broad-spectrum protection formulated sunscreen
  • Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Hiking poles

  • How to Get There:
    Event Directions:
    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):844Km
    Carpool Departure Time: 7:45 AM
    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 $244.76 (calculated at total Km * $0.29, effective Thursday, March 28, 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:

    - 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:$30.00/Person
    Cost Includes:Cost: 20 to 30 dollars to cover the cost of gas plus maintenance for the drivers. Please bring change to cover cost of camping fee. $27 per site (two tents and one car per site only). Approx $9 - 14 per person.
    Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the EOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

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