About us
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 participate, 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
8
Service Project - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF
Swift Creek Campground, Baker Lake Road, Concrete, WA, US*** 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.
***
To Sign Up
- RSVP on Meetup — The event may show as full, but sign up anyway! There is usually plenty of turnover.
- Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who may reach out for more details. Volunteering in a rugged wilderness area takes real preparation, and we want to make sure this trip is the right fit for you.
- Send your contact info — name, cell number, and email address — to stanpeyton@gmail.com.
- Complete the Medical Form at https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 and email it to stanpeyton@gmail.com, or mail it to the address below.
- Read the Participation Agreement and complete Page 1 at https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020, then email or mail it as well.
- Mail forms to: Stan Peyton 8408 Hanbridge Lane Austin, TX 78736
⚠️ Important: Paperwork must be received within ten days of signing up, or you will be removed from the trip. Please only sign up if you are serious about attending.
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What to Bring
Camping Essentials- Tent and sleeping gear
- Sleeping pad or kneeling pad
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Earplugs
Food & Kitchen
- All breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for the trip
- Dinner ingredients for the night your team cooks
- Plate, bowl, and silverware
- Dish towel
- Containers for leftovers
- Water bottle
Work Gear
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Hat
- Geologist's hammer (yes, really!)
- Trail tools, if you already own them
Health & Safety
- Personal prescriptions and first aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Tweezers
9 attendees
Triangle Evening Walk (+ ice cream)
Triangle Commons Park, 4660 Triangle Avenue, Austin, TX, USJoin us for a 4 mile easy-paced, shady urban walk, starting at Triangle Commons Park and taking us thru Hyde Park, Sparky Park, and Hemphill Park, with an ice cream stop at the end. Bring cash / card.
OK to bring a well-behaved pet on leash. If problems arise, you and your pet will need to depart from the group.
Participants must sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020.
If not already a member, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (in addition to the Meetup group) and help protect the environment and our democracy.
25 attendees
August General Meeting -- Increasing Voter Turnout: What the Research Shows
Mosaic Workshop, 729 Airport, Austin, TX, USJoin us at our monthly General Meeting at the Mosaic Workshop in East Austin for socializing, networking, and engagement on environmental topics of local interest. Doors open at 6:30 for light snacks and conversation. Club updates and program starts at 7pm.
We all want to see environmentally conscious candidates get elected, but what's the best way to support those efforts? For our August gathering, Bob Hendricks, Austin Group Chair, will explain which volunteer activities have been shown to have the greatest impact on voter turnout. Bob will draw on the Analyst Institute's meta-analysis of more than 600 controlled studies, and Yale research summarizing get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaigns. He'll also discuss how you can choose the volunteer opportunities that best match your interests, skills, and available time.
As a real-world example, Bob will highlight the Texas GOTV Postcard Project, a large-scale volunteer effort that combines handwritten personal messages, social-pressure techniques, voting information, and handwritten addressing to maximize effectiveness.
Every election matters. While casting your own ballot is the single most important step, you can also make a meaningful difference by volunteering in ways that research shows are most effective. Whether you're new to voter outreach or an experienced volunteer, you'll leave with practical insights into how you can have the greatest impact.
Bob Hendricks is Vice Chair of the Texas Sierra Club, Chair of the Austin Sierra Club, and Texas Volunteer Director for Citizens' Climate Lobby. In addition to running GOTV postcard projects, Bob has organized over 100 phone banks, texted over 100,000 voters in text banks, and organized and participated in various block walks.
12 attendees
Warbler Vista Hike
Warbler Vista Trails, Warbler Vis, Leander, TX, USBeginning at 9am we will hike at least 3 miles at a brisk pace on rugged terrain. Some sections won't have shade, many are very rocky; plan accordingly.
The endangered golden-cheecked warblers mates and nests on this preserve and with some luck we may view one or any of the other native wildlife that lurks about.https://www.fws.gov/refuge/balcones-canyonlands/visit-us
The entrance to the Canyonlands is located off of Route 1431 within a mile or so of heading East out of Lago Vista. Travel up a steep park road to a parking area on your right with a visible restroom building.
This trail is located on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve so No pets are allowed, well behaved kids are welcome. Bring water and hiking boots. Hats are recommended.Afterwards, we can get a bite to eat in nearby Jonestown venue such as the Lucky Rabbit.
Participants must sign a Liability Waiver upon arrival. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
5 attendees
Past events
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