Dry Island Buffalo Jump Prov Park and Drumheller Overnight (12/2/2017)

The Plan:
- Hike Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
- Go do dinner in Drumheller
- Overnight in a motel and go home the next day

Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Late season last chance hiking at Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park. Located about 103 km (64 mi) southeast of Red Deer and 16 km (9.9 mi) east of Trochu. The park is situated along the Red Deer River and features badlands topography. Its name derives from the large plateau in the middle of the park, 200 m (660 ft) above the Red Deer River, which has never been developed by humans and retains virgin prairie grasses.
The park is the site of an ancient buffalo jump, where Cree native people drove bison over the cliffs in large numbers to provide for their tribes. The hills also contain unique flora and fauna that are not found this far east of the Rocky Mountains in as large numbers as at Dry Island. The park contains the most important Albertosaurus bone bed in the world, which was first discovered by Barnum Brown in 1910 and rediscovered by Dr. Phil Currie in 1997. This hike will be very exploratory in nature. Backup plan is Midland Provincial Park in Drumheller.

Hike distance: 8km approx
Elevation: 220m approx.

After the hike we'll head over to Drumheller for a bit of sightseeing, dinner and a mini gift exchange. I'm planning on doing an overnight there at a local motel dorm, nice and warm and comfy. I'm cheap (...That doesn't sound right, I mean frugal). I am not fancying a late midnight drive back. Will be approx. $33 per person, final amount may change depending on how many people actually goes or if we have to add/minus rooms.

Drumheller
Quaint town. See if you can catch all of the Dinos hanging at every street corner. Home of the world's largest T-Rex and Black Beauty.

Notes:
- The provincial park area can be very slippery when wet.
- The coulees are notorious for being steep. You'll need footwear with good lug traction for the inclines. Not necessarily microspikes but bring those in case.
- Plan B is to do Midlands Provincial Park if conditions are not ideal.
- if you are heading back this will be a long dark drive on country roads back to Calgary, so please do not sign up if you are not comfortable with this.
- We will all be sharing a room. Bring ear plugs/ eye shades if you are a light sleeper.
- Fun anything goes event. Itinerary may be subject to change at the whim of the coordinator, be prepared!
- Bring a tiny gift to exchange. Yes we’re starting Christmas early!
- Drivers will have priority to sign up first. I will increase the group size if we have more interest.

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