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- Two Service Projects - The First Is Mesa Verde National ParkMorefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park, CO
*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
The next week (September 21-28) we will be doing a Service Project at Chiricahua National Monument, AZ. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR BOTH SERVICE PROJECTS IF YOU WISH TO GO TO BOTH.
(Link to Chiricahua Service Project:
https://www.meetup.com/austin-sierra-club-outings/events/299723904/ )Wikipedia:
- "With more than 5,000 sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, it is the largest archaeological preserve in the United States......
- The Pueblo people survived using a combination of hunting, gathering, and subsistence farming of crops such as corn, beans, and squash (the "Three Sisters"). They built the mesa's first pueblos sometime after 650, and by the end of the 12th century, they began to construct the massive cliff dwellings for which the park is best known. By 1285, following a period of social and environmental instability driven by a series of severe and prolonged droughts, they migrated south to locations in Arizona and New Mexico."
And here is what we will be doing:
"Sierra Club Service members will be assisting with the construction of Low-Tech Process Based Restoration structures on the Mancos River in Mesa Verde National Park.The team will primarily be moving and preparing wood materials, wading in the river and operating a hydraulic post pounder. Wooden posts will be pounded into the channel and woody debris placed supported amongst the posts.
PALS, Post Assisted Log Structures, will be built to mimic naturally occurring wood jams, which support aquatic and riparian habitats. The team will be working alongside the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, NPS staff, and Mancos River Watershed partners for portions of their time at MVNP."
We will have a day off for hiking.
Mesa Verde will provide tent camping spaces in the employee loop of their campground for the week you are present. Driving would be required between the campground and the site of your volunteer work.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches. You and partners will also be responsible for feeding the entire group one evening. This includes bringing and preparing the food, Dish Patrol and washing said pots and pans.
The National Park Service is providing free park admission, campsite, and work tool usage.
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.
- Send Stan the answer to the two screening questions by email:
What is the most difficult hike you've done in the past year? What are the parameters of hikes do you want to do at Mesa Verde? stanpeyton@gmail.com - Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton@gmail.com.
- Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 . Scan and email the form also to ASCtripCenter@gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
- 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.
- Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
- Write a check for $100 payable to "Austin Sierra Club":
When you show up at our campsite, we will return your $100 check. - Mail the forms in + your check for $100 to our leader -
Stan Peyton
8408 Hanbridge Lane
Austin TX 78736
VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR DEPOSIT AND 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!
| YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: |
| ----------------------- |
| |•Containers for leftovers
•Kneeling pad
•Geologist's Hammer (we are not kidding)
•Tent and implements of sleeping
•Covid mask
•Dishtowel
•Earplugs
•Evening meal for Saturday, September 14
•Flashlight
•Food and drinks for all your breakfasts, snacks and lunches
•Hat
•Long pants
•Mug
•Personal prescriptions and first aid kit
•Plate/bowl
•Silverware
•Sunscreen
•Tweezers
•Water bottle
•Work gloves
- Two Service Projects - The Second Is Chiricahua National MonumentPinery Canyon Campground, San Simon, AZ
*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
The previous week (September 14-21) we will be doing a Service Project at Mesa Verde National Park, CO. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR BOTH SERVICE PROJECTS IF YOU WISH TO GO TO BOTH.
(Link to Mesa Verde Service Project:
https://www.meetup.com/austin-sierra-club-outings/events/299799864/)Join us for a week of camping and service work at Chiricahua National Monument. This National Monument contains one of the Six Best Hikes I Have Done in My Life.
Wikipedia:
- "Located approximately 36 miles (58 km) southeast of Willcox, Arizona, the monument preserves the remains of an immense volcanic eruption that shook the region about 27 million years ago. The thick, white-hot ash spewed forth from the nearby Turkey Creek Caldera, cooled and hardened into rhyolitic tuff, laying down almost 2,000 ft (610 m) of highly siliceous, dark volcanic ash and pumice. The volcanic material eventually eroded into the natural rock formations of the present monument."
https://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm
As was the case in 2021 at Glacier National Park's Bowman Lake, we will be camping in a place that is not near Park Headquarters. Instead, we have been given access to the Forest Service's Pinery Canyon Campground (see map with photos). It has water, tables, fire rings and pit toilets.
From the Park Service's Facilities Management Chief: Pinery Campsite is an excellent option, and it has a tent space that can accommodate ~10-15 tents, fire ring, sheltered cooking and eating areas (canvas wall tent and carport structure), port-o-pots, drinking water, picnic tables, bear boxes, and emergency phone (landline).
Considerations for Pinery: There is no cell service at the camp, and monsoonal rains can make ingress/egress impossible if the creek floods. If the wash crossing does flood, there is a foot bridge to access Pinery Canyon Road, but the crossing usually becomes passable by vehicle within 24 hours.
From our Leadership Team - Projects we'd like to see completed - we'd provide the tools/materials and coordination by one of our employees:
Re-decking the footbridge at the Bonita Creek Nature Trail
Silver Spur trail invasive plant removal and trail and sidewalk maintenance.Elevation approx 5,200'.
We will have a day off for hiking.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches. You and partners will also be responsible for feeding the entire group one evening. This includes bringing and preparing the food, Dish Patrol and washing said pots and pans.
The National Park Service is providing free park admission, campsite, and work tool usage.
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.
- Send Stan the answer to the two screening questions by email:
What is the most difficult hike you've done in the past year? What are the parameters of hikes do you want to do at Chiricahua? stanpeyton@gmail.com - Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton@gmail.com.
- Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 Scan and email the form also to ASCtripCenter@gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
- 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.
- Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
- Write a check for $100 payable to "Austin Sierra Club":
When you show up at our campsite, we will return your $100 check. - Mail the forms in + your check for $100 to our leader -
Stan Peyton
8408 Hanbridge Lane
Austin TX 78736
VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR DEPOSIT AND 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, September 14
•Flashlight
•Food and drinks for all your breakfasts, snacks and lunches
•Hat
•Long pants
•Mug
•Personal prescriptions and first aid kit
•Plate/bowl
•Silverware
•Sunscreen
•Tweezers
•Water bottle
•Work gloves
- Copperfield Hike (+ Mexican Bakery, Pioneer Farms)Copperfield Nature Trail, Austin, TX
Join us for a 4 mile easy-paced hike along Walnut Creek (Copperfield Nature Trail) and through the surrounding neighborhoods. The trail is mostly flat and hard-packed, with minor creek crossings which are hoppable for those of average ability.
Participants must sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
OK to bring a well-behaved pet on leash. If problems arise you will need to depart from the group.
Afterwards join us for refreshments at Mi Casa. Then you're welcome to mosey over to nearby Pioneer Farms, with themed outdoor displays reliving Texas history. Admission is free on Sept 22 for Austin Museum Day.
- Wilderness First Aid CourseLake Bastrop North Shore Park, Bastrop, TX
RSVP on Meetup does not reserve your spot - see Registration link below:
Sponsored by University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine:
Learn to deal with the unexpected through this 2-day first aid skills course for backcountry travel. Earn your Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certificate.
Whether a first timer or a veteran of backcountry adventure, preparation and training are the keys to a fun, safe, and successful time in the wilds. Learn how to prevent, assess, and treat both common and rare, but life-threatening injuries and illnesses. Earn a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certificate, learn a ton, and have fun! No previous experience necessary Ages 14 & up welcome.
Cost is $295. For course curriculum and to Register: https://www.coloradowm.org/wfa/
Some of us will be camping out at North Shore park on Saturday night. If you're interested, write a Comment.