What we’re about
Austin Sierra Club (local branch of the Sierra Club) holds outings for outdoor activities: hiking, camping, biking, backpacking, kayaking, community service projects, and more. These include local one-day events to greenbelts and natural areas, weekend trips to state parks, as well as longer trips to national parks.
All participants must sign our Sign-In Sheet with Participation Agreement before joining one of our outings. You are strongly urged to add your cell phone and emergency contact numbers on the sheet, for your safety. More information is needed for overnight trips.
Many of our events are rated Easy and everyone is invited to particiate, but others have fitness and experience requirements. Smoking and vaping is not allowed on our events. Check with the Leader to see if pets are allowed.
Although it's not necessary to participate in our events, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (in addition to the Meetup group), and support our efforts to protect the environment.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Online webinar: Landscape Design and MaintenanceLink visible for attendees
Austin Watershed Protection offers a free online webinar:
Let it Grow (But Not Too Much): Basics of Landscape Design and Maintenance
Learn about landscaping permitting, watering, native vegitation, and yard maintenance codes to keep your home and neighborhoods safe, clean, and well-maintained during the summer. https://mailchi.mp/30914554b45e/7laiwbxw9n?e=ac3fb39e46
Must REGISTER IN ADVANCE at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YMEfds0GS8O1Hh8qMVuX2w#/registration . You will then be emailed the link to join the Zoom webinar.
- Sunday evening walk to the SymphonyDuncan Park, Austin, TX
NOTE: Concert may be cancelled due to possible rain or extreme heat. Status would be announced via Facebook , and noted on this page at least an hour before start.
Last concert of the season!
Join us for a 3-mile round-trip easy-paced walk through the Seaholm district and downtown condomania, and along Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake. Our destination is the Long Center, where we'll spend an hour chilling, listening to the free outdoor symphony concert .
Recommended to bring a blanket or lightweight chair and food & drink - expecting to return to the start about 9:15pm. Austin Parks prohibit alcohol, glass, styrofoam, smoking, and vaping. The Long Center allows us to use their indoor, air-conditioned restrooms and water fountain.
Participants must sign a Waiver at the start - you may view the document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
OK to bring a well-behaved pet on leash. If problems arise, you and your pet will need to depart from the group. During the concert you must keep your pet quiet and directly by your side - not roaming.
If not already a member, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (in addition to the Meetup group) and help protect the environment and our democracy.
- Selah, Bamberger Ranch TourBamberger Ranch Preserve, Johnson City, TX$30.00
Tour fee of $30.00 . You must pay in advance by credit card to be included in this tour. The link to the Bamberger Ranch payment system is: https://buy.stripe.com/7sY4gAgGheZ452z2dUbbG04
CANCELLATION POLICY: Tours of Bamberger Ranch Preserve occur rain or shine. The only exception to this is lightning. Bamberger Ranch Preserve staff will watch the weather forcast, but it's very rare that they have to cancel. They are happy to refund money if you change plans, but there are still transaction fees, so they very much appreciate folks sticking to their plans unless they have serious extenuating circumstances.
Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve is a 5,500 acre private ranch in Blanco County that has been restored to its original habitat, with a mission to teach ethical land stewardship-by example and outreach. Sierra Club members will be treated to a private tour of the ranch. During this 4-hour tour (9:00a.m.-1:00PM) of the ranch, you will see the results of over fifty years of habitat restoration. Our guide will show us projects which demonstrate principles of sound land stewardship.
You may also see dinosaur tracks, fossil beds, a herd of endangered scimitar-horned oryx, and the "Chiroptorium"- a man made bat cave designed to house one million Mexican free-tailed bats. You'll walk the nature trail and then enjoy Madrone Lake as you learn about "The Rain Machine."
Transportation at the ranch is on the Bluebonnet - an open-air trailer with a shade bonnet. Please dress for the weather and don't forget a hat!
Carpooling is highly encouraged! Potential carpoolers, please write a note in comments with your detailed location and organize amongst yourselves.
Start time for the tour is 9:00a.m., but please arrange to arrive at the parking lot 15 minutes before start time to be certain not to miss your ride on the Bluebonnet. The parking area is a clearly marked, freshly mown grassy area not far past the open gate where you enter the Bamberger Ranch. We will gather at a headstone under the trees where Bamberger Ranch guides will meet us. We will have an Igloo cooler full of ice water on the Bluebonnet, so if you bring your reusable water bottles, you can refill whenever you like. You may bring your own trail snacks, sunscreen and whatever you need to be comfortable. There will be a restroom stop on the tour in an air-conditioned building with flush toilets. NO PETS, PLEASE.
After the tour we will have an optional lunch/meal at the Redbud Cafe in Blanco, Texas. They have a great menu, and cash or credit card payment is accepted.
Please be sure to reserve a spot on Meetup.com and make your payment to Bamberger Ranch to be included on this tour.
- Service Project - Gila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentUpper Scorpion Campground, Silver City, NM
*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
Important Note: This Service Project has been twinned with a September 20-28 Service Project at Bandelier National Monument. If you want to do both, you must register for each separately...
Join us for a week long Service Project at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument..
Although only 45 miles from Silver City, NM, it takes an honest 90 minutes to traverse that distance.
We will be staying at the Scorpion Campground. It has potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. There is a natural hot spring one mile away. Even better, the magical private Gila Hot Springs is only three miles down the road.
We will have a day off for hiking. We might have a campfire ranger talk. Park interpreters will take us to "someplace interesting."
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches.
Under our system for evening meals, you and partners will be responsible for feeding the entire group one evening. This includes bringing and preparing the food, Dish Patrol and washing said pots and pans.
To sign up:
- RSVP on Meetup: The Meetup may show as full, but if you want to come, please sign up! There is usually plenty of turnover.
- Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is right for you.
- Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton at gmail.com.
- Complete the Medical Form: [https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021](https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021) Scan and email the form also to stanpeyton at gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
- Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
- Mail the forms to:
Stan Peyton
8408 Hanbridge Lane
Austin TX 78736VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.
Don't sign up unless you are serious about attending!
| YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: |
| ----------------------- |
| •Container(s) for leftovers |
•Kneeling pad
•Geologist's Hammer (we are not kidding)
•Tent and implements of sleeping
•Covid mask
•Dishtowel
•Earplugs
•Evening meal for Saturday
•Flashlight
•Food and drinks for all your breakfasts, snacks and lunches
•Hat
•Long pants
•Tools for working on the trail (If you already have them)
•Personal prescriptions and first aid kit
•Plate/bowl
•Silverware
•Sunscreen
•Tweezers
•Water bottle
•Work gloves
