Hike and Camp at Mueller State Park, southwest of Colorado Springs, CO

Mueller State Park (http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Mueller) is at 9,600 feet elevation, and it has over 5,000 acres of aspen and conifer forests, meadows, and Pikes Peak granite. Known for its abundant wildlife, including elk, black bears, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and hawks. Temperatures: average nighttime lows in the 40s, average daytime highs in the lower 70s. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails close to the park, with many more in the nearby wilderness areas. Most hikes will start from the park. Hikes of various difficulties and distance are available, including a hike or drive/hike to Pike's Peak. Overall, this should be a pretty relaxing hiking trip with beautiful mountain views and plenty of wildlife.

CAMPGROUND: We will be camping in Prospector’s Ridge, a tent only area. There are flush restrooms nearby, and the coin operated showers are a short walk away.

MEALS: Breakfast and dinner will be in camp and all participants will share in the cooking and cleaning duties. Individual lunches and trail snacks will be prepared by each camper. Meals will be vegetarian friendly; however we cannot accommodate special dietary needs, if you have special needs, please bring your own food.

PACKING LIST/HIKE DESCRIPTIONS: Participants will receive a packing list of suggested items, but each participant is responsible for having personal needed items. A detailed trip description of the hikes and other options for the trip will be available.

TRANSPORTATION: We are renting vehicles to provide transportation from Austin to the campground. Departure is on Saturday morning, Aug. 4 at 9am. We will stop for meals and overnight (these expenses are not included in the trip cost). You can bring food and drinks for trip and an ice chest will be available. It should take approximately 15 hours to reach the park, most of the trip will be done in the first day. We depart Muller State Park on Sunday, August 12 early am for the return trip to Austin. The Vans will stop for meals but will NOT stop for an overnight on the way back to Austin.

PRICE: The trip fee is $425 (Sierra Club members). Add $25 for non-members. Join the Sierra Club (http://sierraclub.org/texas/austin/ ) and save! Trip fee includes transportation, all meals in camp, park admission, camping fees, and the fee for driving up the toll road to Pike's Peak. If you meet us at Mueller State Park, the trip fee is $325.

Deposit : $100 (non-refundable) within 10 days of acceptance for trip.
Balance of trip fee is due by June 23 and refunds (less deposit) can be made until July 14. Pay by check to "Austin Sierra Club" and mail to Diane Nunez, 5465 Hitcher Bend, Austin, Texas 78749. For faster processing, go to the Austin Sierra Club Paypal web page (http://sierraclub.org/texas/austin/donate) and donate the deposit or total trip fee (not tax-deductible). If you pay for the trip this way, send a copy of your payment to the trip leaders.

REGISTRATION: RSVP on Meet up does not guarantee you a spot on the trip. Participants must have the skills and equipment to camp and hike in rugged mountain terrain at high altitude, and have the interpersonal skills needed to interact in a group setting. Each participant’s skill level will be reviewed and/or the participant interviewed by trip leaders prior to acceptance on the trip.

In addition, participants must download, complete, and mail the Individual Waiver (http://files.meetup.com/1589422/individual_waiver.pdf),
the Medical Form (http://files.meetup.com/1589422/Sierra%20Club%20medical%20form%202013.pdf), and mail to Diane Nunez. Please submit your paperwork within 10 days of your acceptance for the trip. If payment and paperwork is not received within 10 days, you will be removed from the "Going" list.

Pre-Trip Meeting : We will have a pre-trip meeting July 14th at 10:30am at Central Market - North Lamar.