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- Service Project - Bandelier National MonumentBandalier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM
*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
Join us for a week long Service Project at the Bandelier National Monument. As you can see from the map, it is quite close (12.8 miles) to the urban comforts of the Smiths supermarket in Los Alamos.
This Service Project differs from others because Bandelier is very firm in wanting us to work on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 27th. We will still have a day off for hiking - it's just that our work will skew to later in the week than it usually does.
We will once again be building Beaver Dam Analogs. 36 beaver have been introduced into Bandelier over the past three years. There are two populations at opposite ends of a canyon. Our job is to build the analogs, without power tools, in the middle of the canyon between the two populations.
The trailhead to our worksite is at the Ponderosa Group Campground. We will be staying at the Juniper Campground. There is 600' of elevation difference and 2.5 miles between our Ponderosa Campground and our worksite.
Juniper has potable water, pit toilets, fire rings and picnic tables. Alas, there are no electrical outlets at our campground so we cannot make whipped cream.
Rain is "highly unlikely." We have been promised an event with a ranger.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches.
Under our system for evening meals, you and partners will be responsible for feeding the entire group one evening. This includes bringing and preparing the food, Dish Patrol and washing said pots and pans.
To sign up:
- RSVP on Meetup: The Meetup may show as full, but if you want to come, please sign up! There is usually plenty of turnover.
- Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is right for you.
- Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton at gmail.com.
- Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 Scan and email the form also to stanpeyton at gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
- Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
- Mail the forms to:
Stan Peyton
8408 Hanbridge Lane
Austin TX 78736
VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.
Don't sign up unless you are serious about attending!
| YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: |
| ----------------------- |
| •Container(s) for leftovers |•Kneeling pad
•Geologist's Hammer (we are not kidding)
•Tent and implements of sleeping
•Covid mask
•Dishtowel
•Earplugs
•Evening meal for Saturday
•Flashlight
•Food and drinks for all your breakfasts, snacks and lunches
•Hat
•Long pants
•Tools for working on the trail (If you already have them)
•Personal prescriptions and first aid kit
•Plate/bowl
•Silverware
•Sunscreen
•Tweezers
•Water bottle
•Work gloves
- Canyon Creek HikeTrailhead Park, Austin, TX
Let's do a 3.5 mile hike in NW Austin at a brisk pace on rugged terrain. We may find one of the largest Oak trees in Travis County. This trail is rocky and has several hill climbs equivalent to 10 flights of stairs each. No pets please.
Meet at the pavillion at the Canyon Creek Trailhead Park off Hwy 620 and Boulder Ln at 10984 Boulder Lane as described below:
Bring water and hiking boots. Hats are recommended.
Afterwards, we can get a bite to eat at a nearby cafe such as torchys tacos.The Sierra Club is not allowed to organize carpools but we highly recommend doing so. Many folks will rendez-vous at the Y in Oak Hill, Central Market on North Lamar, and REI Gateway. If you wish to drive or ride in a carpool, please leave a comment on the meetup page.
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed.
Participants must sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
- Hike Shoal Creek Trail - 4 or 8 MilesWest 24th Street & North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX
The Shoal Creek Trail is the oldest trail in Austin (built in the early 1960's) and a truly wonderful "downtown" trail. We'll be walking the entire trail, out and back, for a total of about 8 miles. It is mostly hard-surfaced or crushed granite with a few sections of packed dirt. The walking pace will be brisk. For those who are interested, there will be an option to walk just the northern half of the trail, out and back, for a total of 4 miles.
The trail follows Shoal Creek as it winds from 38th Street to Lady Bird Lake, passing through Pease Park. North of Pease Park the trail features a small rock canyon and many mature oak and pecan trees. South of Pease Park it is much more of an urban trail giving a really unique creek-side view of the area by the Jenga building and main library. We can do a downtown crane count and see the latest changes to the Austin skyline! And perhaps get a glimpse of the Kite Fest.
We'll meet at the trail by the 24th Street overpass, then walk the northern half of the trail up to 38th Street and return. That's the end of the 4-mile outing. For the 8-mile outing, we'll then walk the southern half of the trail to Lady Bird Lake and return.
There is ample street parking along Parkway on the west side of Pease Park.
Please bring plenty of water.
No pets please.
Info on the trail from the City of Austin:
Shoal Creek Trail | AustinTexas.gov
And from the Shoal Creek Conservancy:
Participants will sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document here: SCSignUpSheet2020.pdf - Google Drive
- Hike around Enchanted Rock and head to OktoberfestEnchanted Rock State Natural Area, Fredericksburg, TX
YOU MUST MAKE A DAY PASS RESERVATION WITH TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION A.S.A.P.
https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/enchanted-rock-state-natural-area/r/deDetails.do?contractCode=TX&parkId=1200056$8.00 Entry Fee, or use Texas State Parks Pass .
We will meet at the Loop Trail trailhead in the parking area just west of the main entrance. After going by the office, go left past the picnic area and restrooms. The Loop Trail trailhead is just past the restrooms at the end of the parking area. Park map. Allow extra time for checkin.
We will follow the Loop Trail to Moss Lake then on to Echo Canyon for a lunch stop. Next we will follow Base Trail around the back side of the rock and around the back side of Turkey Peak to the Group Pavilion for another break. Then we finish the hike back to our parking area. Trail is approximately 5 miles at an easy pace with Oak trees, rocks, boulders, sun and shade, sandy, rocky and gravelly soil, creeks to cross (typically hoppable for those of average ability), and awesome views of Enchanted Rock.
Along the trail we will make stops for wildlife, plant life and bird viewing, sharing some snacks and conversation and enjoying the beauty of nature. This is a nature hike!
Bring a hearty trail snack, plenty of drinking water, binoculars, field guides and all of your flora and fauna knowledge. Weather changes quickly in the Hill Country, so be prepared. There may be rain, cold, or a gorgeous day. Wear appropriate foul weather gear and whatever you need to be comfortable. DOGS OK, on a six foot leash, per park rules.
Participants must sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
After the hike, optional visit to Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg where German games and exhibits, music, dancing, food and beer can be enjoyed by all. Admission fee to Octoberfest grounds is $15.00. For further details go to https://www.Oktoberfestinfbg.com
Carpooling is highly encouraged... Write a COMMENT with your preferred start location.
