Alamo Sierra Club Outings & Events

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

This will be a joint meetup with the Austin Sierra Club Group

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 youneed 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.

Venue:
William R. Sinkin Eco Centro, 1802 North Main Avenue

Map

Eco Centro is located at San Antonio College, 1802 North Main Avenue @ Locust Street. There is a parking lot adjacent to Eco Centro which is entered from Locust Street.

We can also use SAC parking lots 14, 15 and 17 (map of parking lots) to the north, west and south of the STIC building across North Main Avenue from Eco Centro. Parking is also allowed on the residential streets to the east, north and south of Eco Centro.

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• Previous experience hiking at high altitude is highly recommended. Hikes start at 10,500 ft elevation, and can ascend to 12,000 ft or more. (See “Travel to High Altitudes”)
• Excellent physical fitness is necessary - Must be able to hike 5 - 15 miles per day, with regularly steep ascents and descents, on rocky terrain

TRIP OVERVIEW
Join us for 4 days / 5 nights hiking and camping in the high country of Colorado; wildflowers, cool mountain air, and the smells of conifer forests. Most of our days will be spent hiking in the wilderness areas near Silverton. Expect cool starry night skies free of light pollution (35’ – 45’ degrees), and mild days (65’ – 75’ degrees). There are many possible trails to choose from. The hikes are considered "exploratory". That is, the leaders have not scouted the trails before - we will all be exploring.

Basecamp is at Molas Lake Park near Silverton, CO, rated the "Most Scenic Campground in Colorado" by AAA. Surrounded by mountains, at 10,500 ft elevation, our lakefront campsites offer picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets. Separately available are a lake store, electric outlets, and hot showers for $5.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and meals. Carpooling is encouraged (not organized by Sierra Club). Sierra Club may provide small community items like stoves, hot water kettle, etc, depending on logistics. Sharing coolers, stoves, lamps, etc. between participants is possible (not organized by Sierra Club). Restaurants are available 15 mins away in Silverton.
There will be a Pre-Trip Meeting and Pre-Trip Hike to coordinate logistical details, including carpooling and equipment.
ITINERARY
Tue, Aug 19 – Travel Day
- Participants make own arrangements to arrive by 8 pm this evening at Molas Lake Park & Campground near Silverton, CO
- Some people may fly into Denver, and drive 7 hours with a rental car
- Others may choose to drive to Silverton from their home (~15 hr drive from Austin, TX). Carpooling encouraged, but not organized by Sierra Club.
- Dinner together at campground, bring your own food.

Wed, Aug 20 - Hiking Day 1
- Altitude acclimatization & travel recovery: Easy morning, maybe stroll trails around campground
- Afternoon: Option of 1-3 hour hikes with limited ascents, maybe short drive to trailhead
- Example: West Lime Creek Trail #679, 5 mi, 315 ft ascent.
Thu, Aug 21 - Hiking Day 2
- Slightly more strenuous day hike.
- Example: Molas/Colorado Tr #665, 7 mi, 1,580 ft ascent.
Fri, Aug 22 - Hiking Day 3
- Continuing scenic and challenging exploratory day hikes
- Example: Crater Lake Trail, 11 mi, 2,043 ft ascent
Sat, Aug 23 - Hiking Day 4
- Last hiking day, we'll make it worthwhile
- Example: Ice Lakes, 7 mi, 2,600 ft ascent
Sun, Aug 24 – Travel Day
- Participants make own arrangements to travel home. Checkout is 11 am.
- Some people may drive 7 hours to the Denver airport, and fly from there
- Others may choose to drive back home (~15 hours to Austin, TX)

COSTS
$100, includes camping fees and organized hikes. (Campground may charge an additional parking fee - TBD.) Income which exceeds expenses will be donated to Austin Sierra Club to support our conservation and outreach work.
REGISTRATION
1. RSVP here on Meetup: The Meetup may show as full, but please sign up! There is usually plenty of turnover, and after approval your name will be moved from the Waitlist to the Going list.
2. Complete this online questionnaire, including your contact information.
3. Complete this Medical Form, and email* to m_bruck@hotmail.com
4. Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes significant preparation, so we make sure the trip is right for you.
5. If approved, submit payment* online via Paypal: www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin/donate . If payment is not received within 5 days of your approval, your RSVP will be removed.
*A postal mailing address can be provided upon request.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- For cancellations on or before July 15: 80% refund
- For cancellations on or before Aug 9: 40% refund
- No refund after Aug 9
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- If flying to Colorado, plan to procure any necessary supplies (ie, cooking fuel) on the way to the campground in time for sunset, or have other participants bring in their cars
- All participants must stop at the campground office before entering, to check-in and register their vehicle.
- At the start of the trip, all participants must sign the liability waiver.