Car Camping and Hiking in Nordegg - Fri, May 30 2014, Sat, May 31 2014, Sun, Jun 1 2014

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Car Camping and Hiking in Nordegg (5/30/2014)

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:Overnight
Event Location: David Thompson Country, Nordegg, Alberta
Date(s) & Time:Fri, May 30 2014, Sat, May 31 2014, Sun, Jun 1 2014  1:00 PM  (Carpool Departure: N/A   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Sun, May 25 2014 11:55:00 AM
Event Duration:Two nights car camping
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Event Coordinator(s): Joanne M
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 11 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

For those who are unfamiliar with the area, here are a few notes about Nordegg and the Bighorn Backcountry Region:

The David Thompson Corridor/Bighorn Backcountry Region stretches along an 83 km section of Hwy 11 in west-central Alberta, from Nordegg west to the Banff National Park boundary (where Hwy 11 intersects with Hwy 93 at Saskatchewan Crossing). The hamlet of Nordegg (pop. ~200), located approximately 200 km west of Red Deer, is a former coal-mining town that once had a peak population of ~2500 people. Coal mining activities shut down in Nordegg in the mid 1950s and the remnants of the former Brazeau Collieries mine site are now a National Historic Site of Canada. We will be camping at Abraham Lake, Preachers Point Camground. Its a no frills basic campground, but the benefit is its quiet, and so beautiful. The Shunda Creek Hostel, should you really want to come and not camp (lets talk about this first) is located to the north of the townsite.

Itinerary

Friday: We leave Edmonton Friday and set up camp at Preachers Point at Abraham Lake. This is a free for all campground, no facilities and free. I will be taking a carpool at noon for those who can leave early Friday the 30th, and get a nice campsite for us. If there is time, we can go for a short walk and explore the area.
For those who have to leave later, you can meet us at the campground. For this group we will organize a carpool for the late travelers, at the pre-trip meeting. I will bring maps and information to the pre-trip meeting. It will just be a quick coffee one evening to go over shared items, any questions. The pretrip meeting is not mandatory for those who have gear, know where to get to the lake, etc.

Saturday: We will leave the campsite early in the morning and head to Coliseum mountain trail. NOTE THE PLANNED HIKES MAY CHANGE DEPENDING ON GROUP EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO WORRIES, THIS AREA HAS LOTS OF AWESOME HIKES TO CHOOSE FROM.
Coliseum Mountain provides a magnificent 360 degree panorama that accompanies you the entire length of its spine along the top of the "coliseum." Do not forget to bring your cameras along, or you will be kicking yourself on the way back!

Coliseum Mountain was home to the first fire watch tower in Alberta, all that is left now is the foundation. The trail leading to the summit has been there for almost a 100 years and was once used by locals of the area to bring mail and supplies to the fire watch tower. The trail is in pretty decent shape and switchbacks up the first mountain at a fairly decent grade for hiking.

Sunday - Sunday morning we will pack up early and head to Siffleur Falls. Siffleur Falls is a nice short hike in David Thompson Country. The trail goes along the river for seven kilometers, and provides amazing view of three magnificent waterfalls. We will have a quick lunch at the third fall and will head back to our vehicles and drive home to Edmonton. There are 3 sets of falls and depending on conditions and time, we have the option to turn around at the second falls to ensure everyone gets back home at a good time.



NOTE: (please read the entire posting prior to registering)

  • Our hiking pace will be MODERATE (no slowpokes, no speed demons)
  • Coliseum mountain ( Distance: 17kms, elevation gain: 670m, top elevation 2039m)
  • Siffleur Falls ( Distance: 14kms, elevation gain: 126m, top elevation 1395m)
  • Group hiking in effect in the area due to bear activity. If you are unable to respect this guideline, refrain from signing up.
  • This is early in the season so if the weather is bad we may have to change the plans for the day, we will play this by ear.
  • The plan is to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the great company, and the photo opportunities while having FUN so bring your cheerful personalities along.

  • THERE WILL BE A PRE-TRIP MEETING PRIOR TO THE HIKE TO DECIDE TENT PARTNERS AND WHO WILL BE BRINGING SHARED ITEMS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT FOOD OR GEAR PLEASE EMAIL ME.



Required Items to Bring:
  • A little shovel and TP, for doing your business in the woods. If you wish, there are outhouses 1 km down the road.
  • Your cheerfulness
  • Hiking boots
  • Long pants
  • Raingear and windproof clothing regardless of the weather forecast
  • Water purification tablets filter (possibly shared)
  • Lunch/breakfast/dinner for Saturday/Sunday
  • Sleeping bag
  • Stove, pots, pans, and other shared items to be decided at pre-trip meeting.
  • Desired equipment
  • Tents, pots, stoves, sleeping bags will be decided at a pre-trip meeting.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Bear spray
  • Hiking poles
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Gaiters
  • Camera
  • BYOB

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Preachers Point at Abraham Lake is 110 Km West of Rocky Mountain House. This is beautiful country with lots of choices for hiking. From Edmonton, head South on Hwy. 2. Take the Rocky Mountain House exit onto Hwy 11 westbound. Go West on Highway 11 until you come to Nordegg. (GPS Coordinates: N52 29.857', W116 6.796').

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Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):700Km
Carpool Departure Time: N/A
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 $203.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.29, effective Friday, April 25, 2025). 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 Includes:Carpool cost. Carpool costs will be split, and pay directly to driver

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!
*Note: Read the main text body.