What we’re about
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 particiate, 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 (4+)
See all- Colorado Hiking and Camping Trip Meeting (not too late to join!)Central Market, Austin, TX
This meeting is for participants on our upcoming Colorado trip - and the trip-curious!
Four Days, Five Nights Hiking & Camping, in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, August 19 - 22, 2025
Link to trip description: www.meetup.com/austin-sierra-club-outings/events/308762227
Pre-Trip Meeting
- We will meet at the back picnic tables on the right side of the store (near the playground & Urban Mattress).
- Arrive early in order to start the meeting on time. There's a band that starts at 6 pm (not trip related).
- If it's too hot, maybe we can find room indoors upstairs in the Cafe.Agenda
- carpooling coordination & travel plans
- types of hikes, elevation
- overall schedule
- equipment
- weather conditions
- campground
- questionsBefore the meeting - now - is a good time to familiarize yourself with our destination & conditions, for a basis of discussion.
Getting excited!
- Canyon Vista HikeCanyon Vista Middle School, Austin, TX
Join us on a 6-mile moderately brisk hike, taking us through a smorgasbord of urban parks, city streets, and shady nature trails (Spicewood Valley, Upper Bull Creek greenbelt). The trail is rugged in places, and participants should be able to climb the equivalent of 20 flights of stairs. We will cross a tributary of Bull Creek - typically hoppable by those of average ability. If the upstream creek is flowing, we may see a 20-foot waterfall! The route will have a short break with water fountain and restrooms. No pets please, due to narrow trail.
==> Route may need to change due to construction
Participants will need to sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
Often we go out for food and drink afterwards.
For more info about the Austin Sierra Club and what you can do to save our planet: http://sierraclub.org/texas/austin
- Sierra Club General Meeting: Austin Wildlife RescueEl Mercado- South Side , Austin, TX
Join us at our monthly General Meeting for socializing, networking, and engagement on environmental topics of local interest.
Our August gathering features Jules Maron of Austin Wildlife Rescue. Arrive as early as 6pm at El Mercado (1302 S 1st St) to purchase food and drink. Club updates and program starts promptly at 7pm.
Jules will explain what her organization does and how it cares for 10,000 wild animals received annually. She will also discuss the impacts of habitat fragmentation on wildlife and how the public can help mitigate it in their own backyards.
Jules Maron is the Executive Director of Austin Wildlife Rescue. Prior to this, she worked for 15 years in corporate finance with IBM. She found herself involved in the wildlife rehabilitation realm quite by accident, where she started off as a volunteer, working her way up through every position, and is now the Executive Director. She has dedicated herself to Austin Wildlife Rescue for 9 years, holds a personal Texas Parks and Wildlife permit for rehabilitation, and is a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator.
She received her B.S. in Child Development and her M.S. in Accounting at UT Austin, and is certified in Pain and Wound Management and as a Wildlife Rehabilitator by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC).
Can't make this event but still keenly interested in the topic? No worries... look for a recording of the presentation posted to the Austin Group's YouTube channel within about one week.
- Four Days, Five Nights Hiking & Camping, in Colorado's San Juan MountainsMolas Lake Park & Campground, Silverton, CO
Total 16 Spots Available - Get On the Waitlist to Register
RSVP On Meetup Alone Does Not Reserve Your Spot
See REGISTRATION Below- Previous experience hiking at high altitude is 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 - 10 miles per day, with regularly steep ascents and descents, on rocky terrain
- If you prefer to not camp, there are hotels/hostels in nearby Silverton.
- If you don't have camping equipment, let me know - me or Sierra Club can lend you most things.
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 generally responsible for their own transportation, 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 ascentSat, Aug 23 - Hiking Day 4
- Last hiking day, we'll make it worthwhile
- Example: Ice Lakes, 7 mi, 2,600 ft ascentSun, 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. Income which exceeds expenses will be donated to Austin Sierra Club to support our conservation and outreach work.REGISTRATION
1. RSVP here on Meetup: Get On the Waitlist to Register
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. Then your name will be moved from the Waitlist to the Going list.
5. If approved, submit payment* online via Paypal: www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin/donate.
*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 9ADDITIONAL 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.
