What we’re about
The group is now focusing mostly on multi-day hiking trips. Some include only camping, some have camping with hotel/motel options.
For ten years I led geology focused hikes around the greater SF Bay Area, but a year ago we moved to Davis, then COVID-19 through another another barrier in the way of hiking. Summer 2023 we moved to Florida (!), so we definitely won't be hosting day hikes, but are still planning on returning to California for at least our December Death Valley Trip.
It's been a great group, full of amazing people bringing a wealth of knowledge to every hike. Below is our previous description, which still applies to the pace of hikes on our current longer trips.
If anyone is interested in leading day-hikes in the Bay Area, please contact Lee. I'm not interested in having hikes that are co-listed on other hiking groups...I've had that before and the results were not that good.
So, keep moving, keep learning, and enjoy the outdoors!
Lee Trampleasure
Previous description, with some tips about the SF Bay Area:
This group's goal is to get exercise while exploring and learning about the geology and natural science of the San Francisco Bay Area. The aim is the mid-point between the hiking groups that don't stop long enough to explore and learn about what they're passing and the nature groups that see lots of great stuff, but don't get that much exercise.
Hikes will be lead by members with knowledge of unique, exotic, or otherwise fascinating features of our area. If you have a favorite hike that you'd like to lead, drop a suggestion and I'll make you a leader (you just have to commit to coming on the hike and sharing your knowledge).
Everyone with interest is invited, and presentations should be aimed at people with interest but not necessarily a strong academic background in the subject (although some conversations will hopefully get pretty deep).
Our primary focus will be on geology, but we won't pass up a good tidbit of information about the flaura and fauna as we hike.
A few great books with resources for our hikes include:
Ted Konigsmark, Geologic Trips-- San Francisco and the Bay Area
Clyde Wahrhaftig, Streetcar to Subduction and Other Plate Tectonic Trips by Public Transport in San Francisco.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Death Valley geology hiking and camping or hotelingFurnace Creek Campground, DEATH VALLEY, CA
No RSVPs yet, but wanted folks to know we're on again for this year. This year we've reserved a large group campsite in Furnace Creek Campground so all the campers will be next to each other.
This year we're also adding two days: One optional day with a long drive down a washboard road to see The Racetrack (where the rocks leave tracks showing their movement across the mud playa. If your car can handle this, you're welcome to drive, but we'll also be renting Jeeps for the day (four in a Jeep = about $100 each). Another new day will be a drive to Ash Meadows and the Devil's Hole (with pupfish!). The other three days will be are usual mix of hikes in central Death Valley.
Three full days of hiking and exploring the geology of Death Valley. Most days include two hikes that range from 2-5 miles. You can join or skip any of the hikes, depending on your energy and interest. Most folks usually hike all hikes. Death Valley is a big place, so there is a bit of driving each day.
Registration deadline
Registration will open in mid-August, and will close a week before the trip.Dates:
- Dec 26th: Some people are breaking the long drive into two days and will be staying at Red Rock Canyon State Park on the night of the 26th. This is completely optional.
- Dec 27th: driving to Death Valley and set up camp (or settle into your hotel room).
- Dec 28th: Most likely our day to drive to The Racetrack (rental Jeeps optional but recommended).
- Dec 29th - 31st: Hiking days plus New Year's Eve dinner in the restaurant at Furnace Creek (no-host).
- Jan 1st: Drive into Nevada to Ash Meadows and Devil's Hole (about one hour drive, so actually closer than The Racetrack).
- Jan 2nd: Pack up and head home.
We'll be hosting a few online presentations/Q&A meetings where potential hikers can ask questions and get more details about the trip. These appear as events on this Meetup group, so you can find the times and links here.
Complete details about the trip (and registration) can be found here: https://lee.trampleasure.net/geology-trips-in-the-western-usa/dvnm/ Registration includes a donation in the $100-200 range (you name your donation amount) to help cover our costs. Donation does not include campsite rental ($16/night divided by the 2-4 people in a campsite) or hotel rooms (if you are interested in staying in a hotel, check out the page linked above as I have listed several hotel options in the Death Valley area).
Online information/Q&A sessions in late October - November
Please check the meetup group's home page for dates of Zoom sessions.Feel free to RSVP here on Meetup, but official registration will be through my website off Meetup. If you RSVP here, you'll receive updates about our Zoom sessions, and when official registration opens.