What we’re about
UPDATE (09/7/21): Outings have resumed, however some changes and additional participation requirements have been implemented because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Please be sure to check the outing listing carefully for instructions about what is required as a condition of participation. The Sierra Club's primary concern remains the safety of the participants on outings.
The Mother Lode Chapter of the Sierra Club is a long established environmentally-minded group offering a large variety of activities. Hiking, kayaking, skiing, biking, camping, potlucks, slideshows, service trips and other events are lead by Sierra Club trained leaders. All adults are welcome, including those who are not members of Sierra Club. We generally meet at a designated local parking area and then carpool to the event site which can be located nearby or several hours away. Most events take all day and are followed by an optional dinner at a restaurant on the drive back. Of course, all of this can vary depending on the event. Leader styles vary greatly. Some are very fast paced with few stops; others travel at a very slow pace and stop frequently. You are required to be properly equipped and able to stay with the group, so be sure to check with the leader if you have any questions about the outing.
Each participant on an outing is required to complete and sign a standard liability waiver. If you would like to read the liability waiver before an outing click on this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17DFIvEuXuRj56yWSRIY39VtHdUpB1WEO/view?usp=sharing
or contact the Outings Department at 415.977.5528 for a printed version.
For more outings and information see our full list of events at:
http://motherlode.sierraclub.org/outings.html
Happy trails!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Day Hike (1A): Summit Lake – Donner Pass (Sacramento Group)Roseville Golfland Sunsplash, Roseville, CA
This is a hike to Summit Lake from the Boreal Exit off I-80. Our approx. 4.7-mile outing with an elevation gain/loss of approx. 450' offers a hike through a variety of forest, meadows, and open granite areas with a mix of short ups & downs, a few level spots and a creek crossing. This scenic area, just north of I-80 often abounds in wildflowers. Plan on a long lunch break at the lake. Bring the essentials; including lunch, water and rain gear in case of showers; and, $$ for your driver. Dogs OK on leash. Rain cancels. Leisurely pace. Gear list and other information will be provided after approval. Each participant must bring a Sierra Club Medical Form (please see https://tinyurl.com/2p8dtefp). Each participant will be required to sign the Sierra Club Sign-In & Waiver Form at the Trailhead. Leaders: Martin Farber 808.283.8988 or **kowsoitwo@gmail.com **and Tracy Miller.
- Day Hike (1A) Tahoe East Shore Trail and Science Center Tour (Placer Group)1821 Taylor Rd, Roseville, CA
Join the Sierra Club Placer Group on Saturday, August 2, 2025, for a 1.5 hour guided tour of the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village where we'll learn more about the lake ecosystem, why its changing, and what we can do to keep Tahoe blue. The cost of the tour is $5/person. (Payment details will be sent out in advance to folks that sign up.) Following the tour we'll go for an easy hike along the east shore of Lake Tahoe. We will hike approximately 3 miles out and back with a stop to enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. The trail is suitable for those new to hiking, families, and experienced hikers who love to explore new places. The pace of the hike will be on the slower side of moderate and the trail is paved and mostly flat. Accessibility details are available on the AllTrails writeup. The AllTrails app shows a 5-mile hike to Sand Harbor, but we are not planning to go that far due to limited time. Those who wish to continue hiking beyond the turnaround point may do so on their own, but will be required to officially sign out. Wildlife sightings are possible. The trail has sun exposure with limited shade in spots, so sunscreen is recommended. Dogs are not permitted on the science center tour, so we ask that our furry friends sit this one out. Rest breaks will be taken as needed. We estimate the hike will take 1.5 to 2 hours at an easy pace. [Remember to pack a picnic lunch.] More than a light rain or inclement weather cancels. Hike stats: approximately 3 miles, elevation gain 331, with a base elevation around 6,350.
Bring: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Bring the essentials, including water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellent, and layers for changeable temperatures. Please bring cash if you wish to join a carpool. (Note: Recommended carpool reimbursement rate is up to $7.00 per hour per carpool participant, or whatever you and your driver agree to.)
Sierra Club Medical/Waiver Forms: Fill out and bring this emergency medical form: [https://tinyurl.com/ycy985mt](https://tinyurl.com/ycy985mt). Leader will check to make sure you have a completed form, then you'll carry it with you in your pack. Each participant will also be required to sign the Sierra Club Sign-In & Waiver Form at the trailhead or meetup location.
The hike is limited to 15 participants. Leader: Aileen Allison-Zarea. If needed, email us at: (placeroutingsleads@gmail.com), but messaging in the MeetUp app is preferred, as emails may not be checked frequently.
Carpooling Meet at 7:15 AM at Taylor Road Park-n-Ride (adjacent to Golfland Sunsplash). Vehicles will depart by 7:30 a.m. with a restroom break near Donner Summit.
Trailhead: For those meeting at the Tahoe Science Center, meet at approximately 9:45 a.m. Hike to start after the tour, around 11:45 a.m.
Link to Hike:
[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/nevada/tahoe-east-shore-trail]Link to Tahoe Science Center: [https://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/visitor]
Notes: Free parking is available at the Tahoe Science Center (291 Country Club Dr., Suite 320, Incline Village, NV 89451).
Signup Restrictions: If you are feeling sick or have been exposed to someone who has recently (within the past 5 days) been sick from or tested positive for COVID-19, please do not join this trip.
Also, please do not sign up for this outing if you: (1) are not committed to attending as space is limited, or (2) have disabled your Meet-Up email, in whole or in part. (We need to be able to communicate with RSVPs collectively and individually.) If your Meet-Up settings do not allow us to use the Meet-Up email system as indicated, your RSVP will not be accepted.
- Backpacking into the Desolation Wilderness (Twin Lakes)Needs location
YOU MUST CONTACT THE LEADER, JEFF OLSON, BY EMAIL (rayjeff49@gmail.com) OR TEXT (209-661-1116) TO RESERVE A SPOT
This backpacking trip is intended for beginners or those that want to enjoy an easy trip into the wilderness. We camp at an established campground the first night. The next morning, we hit the trail at Wrights Lake, just north of Kyburz. We trek 3-4 miles into the Desolation Wilderness to Twin Lakes where we camp two nights. We do a day hike on the layover day to the top of the Twin Lakes falls shown in this feature photo. I only take 5 backpackers on this trip as tent sites are very limited in the Desolation Wilderness. Those that have attended my Meetup posted Zoom (Backpacking – The Basics) presentation have been given advanced notice of this trip. This trip still has a few spots left.
