OVERVIEW:
Greetings! You're invited to an extensive tour of the diverse Lacamas Regional Park, adjacent to the city of Camas in Clark County, WA. This 312-acre park features a lake (Round Lake), two creeks (Lacamas Creek and Woodburn Creek), three waterfalls, sections of deep forest, the "Camas Lily Fields" meadow, a steep ravine, and a bewildering network of hiking trails (which your host has mastered, so no worries).

THE HIKE:
The hike is approximately 5.5 miles, with about 650 feet of elevation gain. The hike typically takes 2 1/2 hours. The quality of the trails is good overall, but there are some rocky and rooty sections. The hiking route will generally change with every event, because the trail system offers so many different route opportunities.

The pace will be a moderately brisk 2.5 MPH. Please be able to maintain that pace for 5.5 miles, as it is important for the group to stay together to avoid missed turns, lost hikers, etc. Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Bring water and snacks. Hiking poles are optional.

HOSTING:
Your hike leader is George R. Prior 55+ co-hosts include Connie Ceneca and Jonathan Vanbourg, starting in April, 2019. Thanks to Connie and Jonathan for helping to make the 55+ first-Thursday Lacamas Park hike a great success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Please note that by signing up for this hike, you agree to take full responsibility for your well-being at all times, while also acting as a supportive member of the group. Supporting the group includes arriving on time, only showing up if you're on the Going list, not leaving the group without telling someone, observing basic hiking etiquette and not dashing ahead of the hike leader (thank you).

MEETING PLACE:
We will meet in the upper parking lot on the north side of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 402 NE Oak St, Camas, WA.
(This is a better starting point for the subgrouping initiated during the Coronavirus pandemic than the "official" Lacamas Park south entrance off NE 3rd Ave, and it always provides enough parking for the whole group.)

It is best to park on the back row of spaces on the left (furthest away from the church). The trailhead is located at the rear of the parking lot.

We'll meet near the rear of the parking lot. Please be on time; we'll depart the parking lot at the indicated hour.

COMMUTE DIRECTIONS:
Drive to WA State Route 14 and proceed east to Exit 12 at Camas. Take Exit 12 onto NW 6th Ave, continue straight through the roundabout, and 1.0 mile down to the old paper mill. Turn right on NE Adams St and go 3 blocks. Turn left on NE 3rd Ave and go 0.6 mile (to the top of a rise) and turn left onto NE 3rd Place. Proceed up NE 3rd Place to the end of the street (0.2 mile), then left onto NE Oak St. Go past the church, and turn right into the upper parking lot adjacent to the church (0.1 mile).
(I can post a couple of aerial photos upon request that show the driving route from NE 3rd Ave to the parking lot area.)

FEES:
At present, no fees or permits are required to use the park or the parking lot.

HAPPY HOUR:
The usual venue for a post-hike Happy Hour is GOW (Grains of Wrath) Brewery & Restaurant in downtown Camas at 230 NE 5th Ave (gowbeer.com). GOW is about 4 minutes by car from the church lot.

REGARDING CANCELLATIONS:
If you have to cancel, please provide at least 24 hours' notice, if at all possible. Given the high demand for group hikes, that will give the people on the Wait List a realistic chance to attend. If you're on the Wait List and make other plans, please drop off the Wait List by clicking "Edit RSVP" at the bottom of the event page.

ENABLING COMMUNICATIONS:
Active group members should turn on Meetup Messaging so that event hosts can communicate with you as needed. From any Meetup page (web browser or smartphone app), click/tap on your photo, and in the dropdown list that appears (browser) or via the gear icon (smartphone app), select Settings > Email updates. On that page, turn the following options ON:
"Updates from Meetup" (first section):
\-\-\-\> Messages \(turn ON\)
\-\-\-\> Replies to my comments \(turn ON\)
"Updates about your groups" (second section)
\-\-\-\> 55\+ FUN Fitness with Fphysical Activities \> Edit \> Turn ON all notifications\.

CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES:
This event is open to those who are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. Seasonal vaccinations for RSV and the flu are also a good idea.

55+ FUN Fitness with Fphysical Activities

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Lacamas Park Loop Hike (Camas), WA/Hwy 14, (5.5 miles, 650+ feet)

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Lacamas Park Loop Hike (Camas), WA/Hwy 14, (5.5 miles, 650+ feet)

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