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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 November 2009Fri-Sun, November 6-8, Mojave National Preserve Service Trip. Help the Mojave National Preserve clean up a large illegal dump that has built up over the years. Work all day Saturday and until noon on Sunday. Preserve staff will provide a barbecue Saturday evening. A hike is planned for those arriving in the morning on Friday. There will be a Ranger talk about the Preserve on Friday. Camping will be rustic, but a portable restroom will be provided. High clearance vehicle is recommended to access the site, but we can shuttle people and gear if needed. Email or call leader for reservation information. Leader: Rich Juricich, rich.sac@pacbell.net, 916-492-2181. CNRCC Desert Committee Fri, Nov 6, ART ECO Artists' Reception Benefitting The Land Conservancy: Join us at the FrameWorks Gallery in SLO for the 4th annual Art Eco exhibit featuring unique art pieces made with recycled and reclaimed materials. 20% of proceeds benefit The Land Conservancy. Don't miss the one-chance silent art auction featuring a special framed Land Conservancy photo. The event will be held from 6pm to 9pm. More info Sat., Nov. 7th, 8:30 a.m. Return to Big Falls Hike. If you missed Carlos’s great hike. This is your opportunity to see Big Falls again. We will leave from the Rinconada Mine Trailhead to explore a portion of the Santa Lucia Wilderness. The hike will be approx. 10 miles with 1800 foot elevation gain round trip. Bring lunch, water and dress for the weather. Poison Oak may be present for a portion of the hike. Meet at the Pacific Beverage Company in Santa Margarita. Details call Gary at (805)473-3694. Rain Cancels. Sat-Sun, November 7-8, “Bowling Alley” Car Camp & Hike. This narrow strip of land between Death Valley National Park and Fort Irwin is lovingly referred to as the “Bowling Alley” and is an ideal wilderness candidate. With unique and beautiful geology, several perennial springs, and habitat for desert tortoise and bighorn sheep, we’ll have lots to explore! We’ll drive in on some rough routes and then day hike from our car/tent camp site. 4 wd recommended. Potluck dinner Saturday night. Leader: Carol Wiley (760)245-8734, desertlily1@verizon.net . Reservationist: Kate Allen kj.allen@wildblue.net (661)944-4056. CNRCC Desert Committee Sat November 7, Spring Cleaning - Mecca Hills Wilderness. Hike two easy miles from Box Canyon Rd to Hidden Spring, the only permanent water source in the area. We will remove palm fronds and other invasive vegetation and clean out the spring box. After, a short hike to the “Grotto” and maybe return via a different route. Great area with good views and interesting canyons. Car camping is available on Box Canyon Road (can be busy) or off Painted Canyon Road. Limited to 10 persons. Official Hike leader Kathy Kelley. Organizer and contact person is Jeff Morgan (760) 324-8696, or (preferably) jckmorgan@aol.com Tahquitz Group (San Gorgonio Chapter) Thurs., November 12th, 7-9 p.m. Bimonthly General Meeting: Creating a Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Speakers from the Surfrider Foundation and Sierra Club present the latest news on efforts to protect the unique and at-risk coastal waters off Monterey---and to navigate the tricky political waters. The program includes fascinating video underwater photography of the area. Meets at Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St., SLO. Info: Joe Morris, 772-1875 Sat., Nov. 14, 9:00 a.m. Hike: Valencia Peak Trail-Oats Peak Trail-Coon Creek Trail-Bluff Trail. Join the leader on this moderately strenuous 10.5 mile loop hike in Montana de Oro State Park. There will be about 2400 ft of elevation gain. We will enjoy coastline views from the top of Valencia and Oats Peaks and experience some of the backcountry of the park. We will finish the hike by walking along the bluffs above the ocean. Meet at the Valencia Peak trailhead which is just past the visitor's center in the park. Bring lunch and/or snacks, water, and dress for the weather. There is a possibility of poison oak. We will do a refueling stop after the hike at a local eatery. Heavy rain cancels. For info, call Chuck @ 441-7597. Sun. Nov. 15, 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 Sat., November 21st, 9:30 a.m. Bowden Ranch Trail. Earn some diet credits for Thanksgiving Dinner with a hike up Bowden Ranch Trail. We will hike 5 miles RT with 1500 foot elevation gain over the hill to the great divide between the SLO Creek and Price Cyn drainages and back. The intense initial climb of 1200 feet will get your heart pumping, then becoming a leisurely stroll beyond that. Some interesting geology and fantastic views if clear. We may even show you the secret spot. Bring water, snack, and non-slip shoes for ascending and descending the hill. Meet at 9:30 at the Adult Education parking lot on Lizzie Street in SLO across from French Hospital. Rain a couple days before or on that day may cancel the hike. For more information and to confirm, call Leader Mike Sims (805) 459-1701. Co-Leader: Joe Morris Outings Sponsored by Other OrganizationsThanksgiving Day Hike · Black Lake Ecological Area, Nipomo Ventana 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 December 2009Sat, Dec. 5, 9:00 a.m. Hike: Cerro Alto long hike. Late fall is a good time to hike to the top of the highest morro. There are wonderful views of the coastline from the summit. Looking east from the summit, we can see land newly preserved by the San Luis Obispo Land Conservancy. The hike is a moderately strenuous 7.1 miles with about 1900 ft of elevation gain. This loop hike will start at the day use area at the back of Cerro Alto campground. The road to the campground is in the Los Padres National Forest and is about 8 miles from Morro Bay off Highway 41. Bring lunch and/or snacks, water, and dress for the weather. There is a possibility of poison oak. We will do a refueling stop at Taco Temple in Morro Bay after the hike. There is a $5.00 parking fee unless you have an Adventure Pass. For info, call Chuck @ 441-7597. Sat., December 5, 10 a.m., Sierra Singles - High Ridge Trail - Come join hike leader Stacy for a 5 mile hike along the east ridge of the recreation area above Lopez Lake. With a total elevation gain of 450' throughout the hike, there will be opportunities to take in the views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Please bring water, hiking poles if you desire, and dress for the weather (long pants encouraged). We will meet by the Turkey Ridge Trail sign, an $8 day use parking fee is required. From the 101 in Arroyo Grande, take the Grand Ave exit and head east through the Village of AG. At 1 mile, bear right on Huasna Rd at the 227 junction. Continue 9.9 miles, staying to the left onto Lopez Drive, to the Lopez Lake Recreation Area entrance station. Park at the east end of the parking lot behind the registration office by the Turkey Ridge Trail sign. Sat-Sun, December 5-6, Carrizo Plains National Monument Exploration & Service: Pronghorn antelope will not jump fences to escape predators but rather attempt to crawl under. Our service on Saturday will either remove or modify several sections of fence to facilitate this mobility. Sunday will be, at the choice of the group, either a hike in the Caliente Range or else a tour of popular viewing areas in the plains. This is an opportunity to combine carcamping, day-hiking, exploring, and service in a relatively unknown wilderness. Contact Ldr: Craig Deutsche, (310-477-6670), craig.deutsche@gmail.com CNRCC Desert Com Sat., December 12th, 10 a.m. City Walk of Victorian-Era SLO. A guided stroll past 20 historic century-old homes and churches in the "Nob Hill" of downtown SLO. Learn about the coming of the railroad and the lives of the newly rich who transformed SLO from a sleepy stage stop to a thriving city. See where the affluent attended church and the homes of the mayor, newspaper editor, and Cal Poly's founder. About 1 1/2 hrs. duration. Children welcome. Meet in front of Jack House, 536 Marsh St., SLO. Info: Joe (772-1875) Sat-Sun, December 12-13, Service and Hiking in a Southern Desert. This is the cooler season to visit the southern deserts. Our project on Saturday will be on the east side of the North Algadones Dunes Wilderness - approximately 20 miles east of Brawley, CA, where we will rebuild facilities at the Watchable Wildlife Site. Saturday evening is a carcamp with potluck dinner. Sunday we will take a recreational hike either at our work site or else within the nearby Indian Pass Wilderness. For information contact leader Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, (310-477-6670). CNRCC Desert Com Sun, Dec.13, 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 Mon-Sat, Dec. 28, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010 Holiday Service in Carrizo Plain National Monument. Celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next in one of our new national monuments. The Carrizo Plain, west of Bakersfield, is a vast grassland, home to pronghorn antelope, tule elk, kit fox, and a wide variety of birds. A welcome hike Dec. 28, three and a half days of service modifying barbed wire fencing, and a full day for hiking and exploring are planned. Use of accommodations at Goodwin Ranch included. Limited to 14 participants, $30 covers 5 dinners. For more information, contact leader: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, (310-477-6670), or co-leader leader Melinda Goodwater, mgoodwater@sbcglobal.net, (408-774-1257). CNRCC Desert Committee Outings Sponsored by Other OrganizationsSaturday, December 5th · 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 6th · 10 a.m. Stenner Creek Exploration Hike: Explore Stenner Springs on this cool winter day. 5 miles RT, 800 feet elevation gain. Meet at the Cal Poly Ropes Course Parking area on Stenner Creek Road. Be prepared for a wet trail. Rain Cancels. For More information Call 544-9096. (Sponsored by the Land Conservancy of SLO.). Ventana 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
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. 
