Sierra Club Outings and Events

Chapter Outings are open to all members and the general public. Outings range in difficulty from easy to very strenuous. If you are not sure, please contact the leader to see if the hike is appropriate for you.

Transportation - The Sierra Club encourages the use of carpools to all events. However, the Sierra Club Outings Leader cannot assign riders or arrange carpools. Each individual is responsible for his/her own transportation to and from the trailhead or other event area.

Suggestions - If you have suggestions for hikes or outdoor activities, questions about the Chapter's outing policies or would like to be an outings leader, call or email Joe Morris (805-549-0355), or the Chapter Office at 805-543-8717. Outings Leaders please get your hikes in by the 10th of each month for the next month's Santa Lucian.

To add another group's activities to this list, contact Joe Morris.

SCHEDULE OF HIKES AND ACTIVITIES

May 2013

Sat., May 4th, 9 a.m. Plants and Birds at Santa Margarita Lake. Co-led by leaders of the Audubon and the California Native Plant Society, this 4-mile walk will furnish an opportunity to see a variety of late spring wildflowers, migrant birds and their nesting behaviors. Bring snacks and water for a picnic lunch afterwards (no tables, so bring blanket, if desired). From Hwy 101, go east at the Santa Margarita/Hwy 58 exit, driving through Santa Margarita, then right on 58, continuing in 2 miles onto Pozo Rd for 14.8 miles, and turn left (after a small bridge) on River Rd, going 2.3 miles. Parking lot for the River Rd. access will be on the left. Allow about an hour for the drive from SLO. Info.: Bill Waycott, 459-2103 or bill.waycott@gmail.com

Sat., May 11th, 7:15 a.m. Big Sur Botany Hike. Join us on an outing focused on the floristic diversity of the southern Big Sur mountains, co-led by expert guide Neil Havlik. This is a moderately strenuous 10-mile hike, 2200 ft. gain, going through several changes in plant communities. The Cruickshank Trail first ascends to panoramic views of the southern Big Sur coast, then into Villa Creek Canyon and Buckeye Camp (lunch stop). It continues across Redwood Creek to Soda Springs trail junction. Bring lunch, snacks, water, and dress in layers for changing weather. Ticks and poison oak are possibilities. Meet at 7:15 a.m. Santa Rosa Park in SLO or 8 a.m. at Washburn Day Use Area in San Simeon State Park. We will then drive 40 miles to the Cruickshank TH, first leaving a shuttle car(s) at the Soda Springs TH 4 miles south. To participate, you must contact Bill Waycott in advance at 459-2103 or bill.waycott@gmail.com to be included.

Sat. May 11th, 10 a.m. City Walk: Storybook Houses of 1920s San Luis Obispo. Co-led by local expert, Patty Andreen, who lives in the neighborhood, this guided stroll will take you past a dozen daring, delightful, Disneyesque cottages in SLO, explaining their unique architecture and the twenties era that inspired their designs. Meet at corner of Chorro St. and Murray Ave. Info.: Joe Morris, 549-0355

Sun., May 12th, 9 a.m. Wildflower Walk in Prefumo Canyon. Join us for a special 2-mile saunter through the Irish Hills Open Space preserve. Stroll past a good variety of late-spring wildflowers and learn about chaparral ecology, while overlooking a panoramic vista of a half-dozen morros. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Poison oak present in area. Meet at corner of Los Osos Valley and Prefumo Canyon Rds. Leader: Joe Morris, 549-0355

Sat., May 18th, 9 a.m. Prewitt Canyon Loop. Come on a southern Big Sur hike with beautiful views. This is an all-day hike of 12 miles and 2,400 feet elevation gain, so not for beginners. It is possible to do a partial hike and retrace your steps. Be aware of the presence of poison oak in the area. At your own option, you could consider camping at either Kirk Creek or Plaskett Creek campgrounds before and/or afterwards. Meet at the Pacific Valley C.D.F. station, about a mile from Plaskett Creek campground. Leader: Carlos Diaz-Saavedra, 546-0317

Sun., May 19th, 10 a.m. Sycamore Springs Trekking-Pole Hike. 2-mile hike to model the benefits of using trekking poles, 700 feet elevation gain. Meet near the entrance of Sycamore Springs Resort, 1215 Avila Beach Resort. Confirm beforehand with leader: David Georgi, 458-5575 or polecatleader@gmail.com

Tues., May 21st, 7-9 p.m. Bimonthly Meeting: "Climate Change Comes to the Central Coast." Noted meteorologist and writer of the "Weatherwatch" column for the SLO Tribune, John Lindsey visits us tonight with a stimulating talk on how global warming has already altered some aspects of Central Coast weather, giving graphic displays of some of his own collected data, and discussing what patterns we might expect to see in the future. Conservation news will begin the meeting. Location: Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St., SLO. Info: Joe Morris, 549-0355

Ventana Wilderness Alliance Trail Crew Opportunities

Trail Crew Volunteers are needed for work in the Ventana and Silverpeak Wilderness Areas. If interested or to get more information contact Dave Knapp, Trail Crew Leader at daveknapp@ventanawild.org. 

Hiking With Other Organizations

In addition to outings sponsored by the Santa Lucia Chapter, you may want to contact other organizations who offer outings which complement those listed here.

The Central Coast Natural History Association (772-2694) offers docent-led walks in Montana de Oro and Morro Bay State Parks.

PGE's "Pecho Coast Trail" and "Point Buchon Trail Information" offer hikes to the Port San Luis Lighthouse and other areas around Diablo Canyon. Check the PGE website for more details

The Morro Coast Audubon Society offers many bird watching outings.

The Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club regularly leads outings in the Los Padres National Forest, Big Sur, Arroyo Seco and Big Basin Area.

The Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club leads outings in Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County and Ventura County.

The Ventana Wilderness Alliance hosts service trips and outings in the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness Areas.

The City of San Luis Obispo hosts ranger-led walks around the City of San Luis Obispo.

Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers build trails around the County. For more information, log onto their website.

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo offers guided walks on Conservancy properties.

Car Camping - The Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club has coordinated events with the SOLO Sierrans.

Desert Outings: Trips to the deserts of California and Nevada.

Sierra Nevada Trips - Contact the Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club. They lead many outings including backpacking, cross-country skiing, hikes, and more.

Sierra Club Lodges and Huts - The Sierra Club has several lodges throughout California, open at different times during the year. This is a great chance to make new friends within the Club. Rates are lower than conventional lodging. For more information check the Sierra Club Lodges Homepage.

Exploring On Your Own - If you would like to strike out on your own, be sure to check out the Sierra Club Trail Guides for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Monterey Counties.

E-mail List. The Santa Lucia Chapter maintains an email list to announce upcoming outings. If you would like to add your name, send an e-mail to Gary Felsman.

Adding Groups: To add another group's activities/trips to this list, contact Joe Morris.

Keeping Our Trails in Good Condition

The Sierra Club is working to create a list of Trail Watch Volunteers to maintain and report on trail conditions throughout our area. For more information contact Gary Felsman at 805-473-3694.

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Copyrighted© 1994 -2010 by Gary Felsman and the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club