Austin Sierra Club Outings

*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
Join us for four days of meaningful conservation work in one of America's most stunning old-growth forest settings. Volunteers will spend three days pulling invasive weeds to help restore the native understory, and one day supporting nursery operations to propagate the plants that will take their place.
No experience necessary — just a love of the outdoors and a willingness to dig in!

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About the Campground
Nestled just 15 minutes from downtown Port Angeles on the northern Olympic Peninsula, Heart O' the Hills Campground is surrounded by towering old-growth trees, offering a serene, deeply shaded retreat in the heart of Olympic National Park.

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A Rare Opportunity
Securing campsites at Heart O' the Hills during peak summer season is nearly impossible for the average visitor — sites are first-come, first-served and fill up every single day. Through our partnership with Olympic National Park, we have been granted 5–6 reserved campsites accommodating up to 12 tents and 2 RVs. This is a remarkable privilege, and one we don't take lightly. Note that we will be sharing campsites, and they may not end up being contiguous with the sites of the other members of our Service Project.

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Costs
Olympic National Park has generously waived camping fees on our volunteer work days. On non-work days, the standard fee of $24 per person per day applies — still a bargain for one of the most coveted spots in the Pacific Northwest. Park admission is also comped for all participants.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches.

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Dinner Duty
We keep dinner simple: every team cooks one night only. The cooking team brings and prepares dinner, handles dish patrol, and washes the pots and pans — then enjoys the other evenings free.

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To Sign Up

*We’ll hike at a BRISK pace. We’ll cover roughly 6-7 miles. We’ll hike the greenbelt hills, cover rocky terrain, and STRENUOUS climbing sections. We’ll follow some less-used greenbelt trails taking us to and beyond many of the wonders and treasures of Barton Creek.

*Be prepared to keep up! The hike will be challenging but doable; mysterious yet approachable. This hike is geared towards a small group of fun people who really like hiking. This is for experienced hikers who already have good conditioning, balance, who enjoy trails with rocky, uneven terrain. No pets allowed.

Suggestions:

• Wear hiking shoes. Bring water (include extra), snacks, and your phone for photos & emergencies only.
• Be on time. We will leave promptly at posted time. We do not wait.
• Bring an extra shirt for after the hike because you will be soaked from sweat.
• RSVP only if you will be attending. Attendance will be tracked, and habitual no-shows will be removed from future events.

Notes on how to find the meeting point:
We will meet at the Twin Falls / Sculpture Falls trailhead. From Capital of Texas Highway, turn as if you’re heading south on Mopac. But instead of taking the Mopac on-ramp, remain on the frontage road. Just past the ramp, you’ll find parking on both sides of the road. Be careful of traffic when walking to the trailhead which is near a green dumpster. Don't leave visible valuables in your car, lock everything in your trunk.

*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
This project is the second of two consecutive weeks in Washington state. The first week is at Olympic National Park. You are welcome to do one or both.

We will be based at Swift Creek Campground, in overflow space reserved for our group. No hookups, and no charge for camping on days off.

Swift Creek Campground is tucked into a mixed-conifer forest at the edge of Baker Lake, halfway up the lake's eastern shore. On a clear day, Mt. Baker dominates the skyline — a perpetually snow-capped active volcano rising to 10,781 feet, mantled with glaciers.
GPS coordinates:

• 48.72855° N
• −121.65745° W

The campground has a small beach, a boat ramp, a 20-slip dock, potable water, and vault toilets. Swimming, kayaking, fishing, and hiking are all steps from your tent.

Wildlife in the area includes black bears, mountain goats, and bald eagles — and August is prime time for the Baker Lake sockeye salmon run, one of the most spectacular in the North Cascades. On days off, North Cascades National Park is within easy reach.

The work will be a combination of basic carpentry, trail brushing, and trail tread work — rebuilding multiple trails, bridges, and boardwalks, many of which run along the Baker Lake Trail on the eastern shore of the lake. There are photos attached illustrating the type of rehabilitation that is needed.

We will have to ride in Jon Boats to get to our worksite. No Lifeguard on Duty.

In 1843 a small eruption of Mt. Baker caused a forest fire, and you can still see the burned snags of virgin cedar trees that once dominated the area.

A small number of participants will need to be comfortable operating a Jon boat. Anyone operating or riding in the Jon boat will be required to wear a personal flotation device at all times. Washington state law.

Dinner Duty
We keep dinner simple: every team cooks one night only. The cooking team brings and prepares dinner, handles dish patrol, and washes the pots and pans — then enjoys the other evenings free.

Geologist's hammers are the one tool I ask everyone to bring. They are endlessly useful.

No experience necessary for most tasks. If you have carpentry skills, please mention them when you RSVP.

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To Sign Up