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Sierra Club Outings and Events
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 Joe Morris, (805-772-1875), or the Chapter Office at (805-543-8717). Outings Leaders please get your hikes in by the 14th of each month for the next month's Santa Lucian.
SCHEDULE OF HIKES AND ACTVITIESSierra Club Outings January 2010Tues, January 26, 7 pm. Bimonthly General Meeting: 1st Annual Environmentalists' Rendezvous! What are the major environmental groups in SLO County up to? Here's a unique opportunity to meet seven key players, all in one place. The roundtable confab will feature staff from the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, Audubon Society, ECOSLO, Morro Bay Nat. Estuary Program, SLO Land Conservancy, and our own Sierra Club chapter. Each will mention their premier projects and plans for 2010, allowing time for questions. Don't miss the gaze of the Great-horned owl from Pacific Wildlife Care. Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St., SLO. Free. Info: Joe, 772-1875. Sat-Sun, January 30-31,Fencing a Wilderness – Golden Valley Wilderness Area During the past year, a long fence has been constructed along the northern boundary of the Golden Valley Wilderness to prevent illegal motorized vehicle entry. Where this fence is still high above the ground, we will assist Marty Dickes of the Ridgecrest BLM office in placing reinforcements. Our reward will be in learning a trade and in knowing that intrusions have become more difficult. For those who wish to stay over on Monday, there will be a hike up one of the nearby peaks. Car camping; potluck Saturday evening. Contact leader: Craig Deutsche, (310-477-6670), craig.deutsche@gmail.com. CNRCC Desert Committee
Outings Sponsored by Other OrganizationsVentana Wilderness Alliance Trail Workdays in the Big Sur Area. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance are hosting many volunteer opportunities to help clear and maintain trails on the Big Sur Coast. No experience is necessary just the desire to be outdoors and work with others. You may be able to just come for the day or spend the weekend. depending on trip Location.
To sign up or to get more information contact Dave Knapp, Trail Crew Leader at e-mail daveknapp@ventanawild.org. Central Coast Concerned Mountain Biker Trail Workdays around San Luis Obispo County. The Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers are hosting many volunteer opportunities to help clear and maintain trails on the Central. No experience is necessary just the desire to be outdoors and work with others. You may be able to just come for the day or spend the weekend. depending on trip Location.
To sign up or to get more information contact Greg Bettencourt, Trail Crew Leader at e-mail gmbett@charter.net Sierra Club Outings February 2010Sat., Feb. 6th, 9:30 a.m. Bishop Peak Exploration Hike with Mike Simms. Visit several of our Central Coast environments from oak woodlands to the sage scrub to the chaparral on one hike. Just 5.4 miles takes us around Felsman loop, up to the top of Bishop peak and back to Patricia Drive. There are a few steep parts and sturdy shoes are recommended but this hike will be at a moderate pace. Approximately 1100 feet of elevation gain. Patricia Drive trailhead. Leader Mike Sims, (805) 459 1701, msims@slonet.org. Non-members are encouraged to hike with us. Sun., Feb. 7, 10 a.m., Islay Hill Open Space. Pole Cats is dedicated to leading local Sierra Club day hikes and modeling the benefits of using trekking poles (see Pole Cats Can Turn You Into a Quadruped). 1 mile/400 feet elevation change. Join us for a hike with spectacular views of Edna Valley to the south and morros to the north. From Broad, go east on Tank Farm, turn right on Wavertree, left on Spanish Oaks and veer right onto Sweetbay and park near cul de sac. Confirm with David Georgi at 458-5575 or polecatleader@gmail.com for upcoming activities. Bipeds welcome Sun., Feb. 7, 2010--SUPERBOWL ALTERNATIVE HIKE AND POTLUCK: If bears, dolphins, and eagles sound like animals, not teams; join us Feb. 7th as we hike Point Sal Road to our potluck dinner destination (4 miles round trip, 1300 ft. elev. gain). Bring a daypack with food to share, as well as a plate, utensils, and water for yourself. Meet at the Orcutt CVS Drugs parking lot at 3:00pm. Details: JIM 937-6766. (Sponsored by the Arguello Group) Mon-Wed, February 15-17, Gold Butte Introductory Tour. Come explore this proposed National Conservation Area in Southeast Nevada. See many beautiful and interesting sights, including petroglyphs and Joshua trees. Climb one of the areas peaks and enjoy the splendid views. Central commissary. Leader: Vicky Hoover, (415-977-5527), vicky.hoover@sierraclub.org. CNRCC Wilderness and Desert Committees Sat., Feb. 20, 10 a.m. Maino Open Space trail/Lemon Grove Loop. Pole Cats is dedicated to leading local Sierra Club day hikes and modeling the benefits of using trekking poles(see Pole Cats Can Turn You Into a Quadruped). 2.2 miles/400 feet elevation change. The trailhead is located off the Marsh Street onramp of southbound Highway 101. From downtown SLO take Higuera Street to the intersection with Marsh Street and proceed as if to take 101 South. Immediately after the freeway underpass, bear right into the parking lot. Confirm with David Georgi at 458-5575 or polecatleader@gmail.com for upcoming activities. Bipeds welcome Sun., Feb. 21, 9:00 a.m. Hike the Barranca-Ridge Trail Loop. Join the leader on this late winter hike in Montana de Oro State Park. The hike will be about 8 miles with about 1800 ft. of elevation gain. We will enjoy the backcountry of the park, great views from Hazard Peak, and possibly some early wildflowers. Ticks and poison oak are possible. Meet at the signed Ridge Trail trailhead which is 2.3 miles from the park entrance. Bring water, snacks, and dress for the weather. There is a good chance of a refueling stop at a Los Osos eatery following the hike. For info, call Chuck at 805-441-7597 Sat., Feb. 27, 10 a.m. Family Hike in Harmony Headlands State Park. Explore the newest of our state parks, opened in November. Easy 4-mile roundtrip hike, socially paced, past creek, rolling hills, historic ranch house, down to bluff overlooking the ocean. Children over 7 yrs. with parent welcome. Meet at Cayucos town pier for short rideshare. Info: Joe Morris, 772-1875. Sat-Sun, February 27-28, Mecca Hills Carcamp. Join us as we explore the Mecca Hills Wilderness Area east of Indio, CA. We will hike through the gravel washes and rocky hills to several well-known and spectacular sites. Saturday we visit Hidden Springs and the Grottos, and Sunday we will explore Painted Canyon. Carcamping will include the civilized amenities, potluck supper, and campfire Saturday night. Limit 12 participants. Ldr: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com (310-477-6670). CNRCC Desert Committee Sierra Club Outings March 2010Sat-Sun, March 6-7, Death Valley National Park Exploratory Tour. Come and experience a sample of the many wonders offered in this national park. Beginning in Shoshone on Saturday morning, we will travel north on Hwy 178 with a stop at Badwater, and easy two-mile hikes at Natural Bridge and Golden Canyon. Camp at Texas Springs ($14/site). If time allows, drive to Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View. Sunday morning, visit the museum and visitor center in Furnace Creek, see the rare pupfish at Salt Creek, and take a two-mile hike to the highest sand dune. Possible hike into Mosaic Canyon. For those who want to stay Sunday night, camp at Stovepipe Wells ($12/site). Option of primitive camping on Friday night. For reservations, contact leader, Carol Wiley at desertlily1@verizon.net or call (760-245-8734). CNRCC Desert Committee Sat-Sun, March 13-14, Fence Removal, Hiking, Carcamp - Carrizo Plain. Come help remove fences on the Cal Dept of Fish and Game Reserve. At this time of year, the Carrizo may be turning green, and if the winter has been wet, there should be wildflowers. Work Saturday, camp and potluck dinner that evening. Hike Sunday. Bring leather gloves, warm clothes with long sleeves and legs, dish for potluck on Saturday night. Leaders will be at Selby Camp on Friday night for those who want to arrive early. Leaders: Cal and Letty French, (805-239-7338). Prefer e-mail lettyfrench@gmail.com. Santa Lucia Chapter and CNRCC Desert Committee Sat-Sun, March 13-14, Ghost Town Extravaganza. Come with us to this spectacular landscape near Death Valley to visit the desert leprechauns and explore the ruins of California's colorful past. Camp at the historic ghost town of Ballarat (flush toilets & hot showers). On Saturday, do a very challenging hike to ghost town Lookout City with expert Hal Fowler who will regale us with tales of this Wild West town. Later we'll return to camp for Happy Hour, a St. Patty's Day potluck feast and campfire. On Sunday, a quick visit to the infamous Riley town site before heading home. Group size strictly limited. Send $8 per person (Sierra Club), 2 sase, H&W phones, email, rideshare info to Ldr: Lygeia Gerard, P.O. Box 294726, Phelan, CA 92329; (760) 868-2179. CNRCC Desert Committee Sat-Wed, March 13-17, Death Valley Photo Trip. Join retired photographer & teacher Graham Stafford on a car camp trip to Death Valley, a photographer’s wonderland. Visit Eureka Dunes, dunes at Stove Pipe Wells, dunes at Saratoga Springs, the Racetrack, and Artist Drive. All levels of photography experience accepted---beginners encouraged. Lessons with class handouts will cover all aspects of your digital camera and general photography. See Graham’s work at www.grahamstafford.com. Leader: Graham Stafford (775)686-8478 graham@grahamstafford.com Great Basin Group-Toiyabe Chapter Sun-Sat, March 14-20, Glen Canyon NRA, Escalante River Canyon - Service Trip/Backpack. Assist the National Park Service in eradicating Russian Olive from the Escalante River. Working under the direction of Park Ranger Bill Wolverton, we will gather up slash from previous service trips and burn it. Since 2000, over half of the river has been cleared. Meet in Escalante, Utah Sunday morning, March 14, caravan out to the trailhead and hike in. Work four days, day hike one day and hike out Saturday morning March 20. Expect knee to thigh deep river crossings, overnight lows near freezing and mild temperatures during the day. Participants will be responsible for their own leather work gloves (highly recommended), food, and gear on the trail. Contact Leader Paul Plathe: 209-476-1498. Delta-Sierra Group (Mother Lode Chapter) Sat., March 20th, 8 a.m. Corral Rocks. Come take a 10 – 13 mile, with unknown elevation gain as this is an exploratory hike on the Avenales Ranch East of Pozo. We should have plenty of wildflowers, and pleasant weather. Bring lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes, and plan to be out all day. Meet at the Pacific Beverage Company in Santa Margarita. This is not a beginner’s hike. Limit 20 people. For details, reservations and meeting place call Gary (473-3694) (5e) Rain or threat of rain cancels. Wednesday, March 24th and 31st, 5:30 p.m. Informal Hikes Around San Luis Obispo. 1 to 2 hour hike around San Luis Obispo. 5 - 6 mile hikes with elevation gain around 1200 feet. For more information or to sign up for Hikers List send an e-mail to Gary Felsman. Sat., Mar. 27th, 8:30 a.m. Hike the Cruikshank Trail to Lion Den. Join the leader on this beautiful hike in southern Big Sur to welcome the beginning of spring. This is a 12 mile hike with about 3000 ft. of elevation gain. There are great canyon and coastline views. This hike is not for beginners. Plan on an all day excursion. It is a good way to celebrate the time change. Meet at the Washburn day use of San Simeon State Park. The entrance is a right turn a few hundred yards past the Hamlet Restaurant at the north end of Cambria. There is a possibility of ticks and poison oak. Bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch, and dress for the weather. We will refuel at the Main Street Grill in Cambria after the hike. For info, call Chuck at 805-441-7597 March 28, 2010 - SUNSET/MOONRISE HIKE AND POTLUCK AT HARRIS GRADE: We’ll hike in as the full moon rises, then stop to eat atop a hill and watch the sun set. (4 miles round trip-mild with a short strenuous hill at the end). Bring a daypack with food to share; as well as a plate, utensils, and water for yourself. Meet carpool groups near the Orcutt CVS drugs or the Lompoc Pizza Hut at 5:30pm. More info: Jim 937-6766. (Sponsored by the Arguello Group) Sierra Club Outings April 2010Wednesday, April 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, 5:30 p.m. Informal Hikes Around San Luis Obispo. 1 to 2 hour hike around San Luis Obispo. 5 - 6 mile hikes with elevation gain around 1200 feet. For more information or to sign up for Hikers List send an e-mail to Gary Felsman. Mon-Sat, April 5-10, Wildflowers And Fence Removal-Carrizo Plain National Monument. This outing will include three and a half days of service to the monument, removing and modifying fences to allow resident pronghorn to travel more widely. This is the spring wildflower season, and our schedule allows at least a day for exploring, either hiking or driving backcountry roads. With longer daylight hours there may also be time to visit sights in the monument after work. Because we are privileged to be staying at one of the old ranch houses, our trip is limited to 14 participants. $30 covers five dinners. Contact leader: Craig Deutsche, (310-477-6670), craig.deutsche@gmail.com. CNRCC Desert Committee Sat., April 17th, 8 a.m. Machesna Mountain. Come take a 12 – 15 mile, with 3000 foot elevation gain, hike through the Machesna Wilderness. Starting from American Canyon Campground, we will climb 1500 to an open meadow and pond below Machesna Mountain itself. After lunch we will climb another several hundred feet to a ridge over looking the Carrizo Plain. We will soon start our descent to a lush green valley, before climbing up to our final rest stop. We should have plenty of wildflowers, and pleasant weather. Bring lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes, and plan to be out all day. Some of us may go to the Pozo Saloon after if open. Meet at Pacific Beverage Company in Santa Margarita. This is not a beginner’s hike. Limit 20 people. For details, reservations and meeting place call Gary (473-3694) (5F). Rain or threat of rain cancels Fri-Sun, April 16-18, Mojave National Preserve Service Trip. Come help restore an historic water feature to provide water for wildlife. The work involves protecting several springs by earth work, stabilization work, putting up a fence and some infrastructure in and around a qanat. Our effort will be directed by staff from the Mojave National Preserve. A hike is planned for Friday for those arriving in the morning, if the rains are good this year, there may be plenty of wildflowers. We will work all day Saturday and until noon on Sunday. There will be a ranger talk about the Preserve on Saturday evening. Camping will be rustic. Email or call leader for reservation information. Leader: Rich Juricich, rich.sac@pacbell.net, 916-492-2181. CNRCC Desert Committee Sat-Sun, April 24-25, Owens Valley Work Project. Project will probably be bashing tamarisk along the Owens River, but could change. Work on Saturday and enjoy the extensive birding opportunities on Sunday. Camp at Diaz Lake just south of Lone Pine. Group potluck on Saturday night Bring all camping gear, or stay in a motel in nearby Lone Pine. For more information, contact leaders Cal and Letty French, lettyfrench@gmail.com Santa Lucia Chapter and CNRCC Desert Committee Sat-Sun, April 24-25, Exploring The Mojave National Preserve. We will meet Saturday morning 9:00 AM at the Teutonia Peak trailhead on Cima Road and hike to Teutonia Peak and out on Cima Dome. Primitive carcamp at Sunrise Rock. Sunday morning, visit the museum/visitor center at Kelso Depot and then on to hike Kelso Dunes. These dunes have various nicknames including the singing dunes and the moaning dunes due to the sounds that they often make, but whatever you call then, they are impressive. For those who want to spend another night, we can camp at the Granite Mountains. For reservations contact leader: Carol Wiley at desertlily1@verizon.net or (760) 245-8734. CNRCC Desert Committee
Hiking With Other OrganizationsIn addition to outings sponsored by the Santa Lucia Chapter, you may want to contact these other organizations who offer outings which complement the outings listed here.
Hiking Classification
Seller of travel registration information: CST 2087766-40.
Keeping Our Trails in Good ConditionThe 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. Photographs and Material on this
Website are: |
           
Machesna Wilderness hike
April 2002 Photo by Gary Felsman |
![[Outings]](images/Outings.gif)
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. 
