What we’re about
This group's goal is to get exercise while exploring and learning about the geology and natural science of the San Francisco Bay Area. The aim is the mid-point between the hiking groups that don't stop long enough to explore and learn about what they're passing and the nature groups that see lots of great stuff, but don't get that much exercise.
Hikes will be lead by members with knowledge of unique, exotic, or otherwise fascinating features of our area. If you have a favorite hike that you'd like to lead, drop a suggestion and I'll make you a leader (you just have to commit to coming on the hike and sharing your knowledge).
Everyone with interest is invited, and presentations should be aimed at people with interest but not necessarily a strong academic background in the subject (although some conversations occasionally get pretty deep).
Our primary focus will be on geology, but we won't pass up a good tidbit of information about the flora and fauna as we hike.
I've finally started putting together a website with more details on the geology of our hikes. You can find them at https://geology.trampleasure.net/ A few direct links to pages on my site include:
Featured event
Special walk and presentation by UC Berkeley Seismology Lab
Join us in a hike lead by Sierra Boyd of the Berkeley Seismology Lab as we take a closer look at the deep and long-standing relationship between the UC Berkeley campus and the Hayward Fault on this guided hike. The walk will explore both the subtle and dramatic ways the fault has shaped the landscape and infrastructure of the campus. Along the way, we’ll examine visible signs of past movement, discuss how scientists determine the fault’s exact path, and highlight UC Berkeley’s ongoing efforts to understand, prepare for, and mitigate the earthquake hazards right in our backyard.
This outing will be shorter than our usual hikes—likely about two miles in total—making it accessible to a wide range of participants. Comfortable walking shoes are still recommended, as we will cover a mix of paved and unpaved campus terrain. Kids are welcome, but dogs are not.
Participants are encouraged to bring their earthquake-related questions. Sierra will be available throughout the hike to explain the science behind fault behavior, local seismic history, and what future earthquakes on the Hayward Fault could mean for the region.
We'll have a stop at the Seismology Lab's conference room in McCone Hall were there are some vintage seismometers and information about the MyShake and the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system—how they work, why they matter, and how they can provide crucial seconds of warning when an earthquake is detected.
A $2 contribution is requested at the start of the walk to help with Meetup fees.
PS. The first announcement I sent out listed a 7:00 AM start time; the correct start time is 10:00 AM.
Upcoming events
2
Special walk and presentation by UC Berkeley Seismology Lab
Crescent Lawn, Berkeley, CA, USJoin us in a hike lead by Sierra Boyd of the Berkeley Seismology Lab as we take a closer look at the deep and long-standing relationship between the UC Berkeley campus and the Hayward Fault on this guided hike. The walk will explore both the subtle and dramatic ways the fault has shaped the landscape and infrastructure of the campus. Along the way, we’ll examine visible signs of past movement, discuss how scientists determine the fault’s exact path, and highlight UC Berkeley’s ongoing efforts to understand, prepare for, and mitigate the earthquake hazards right in our backyard.
This outing will be shorter than our usual hikes—likely about two miles in total—making it accessible to a wide range of participants. Comfortable walking shoes are still recommended, as we will cover a mix of paved and unpaved campus terrain. Kids are welcome, but dogs are not.
Participants are encouraged to bring their earthquake-related questions. Sierra will be available throughout the hike to explain the science behind fault behavior, local seismic history, and what future earthquakes on the Hayward Fault could mean for the region.
We'll have a stop at the Seismology Lab's conference room in McCone Hall were there are some vintage seismometers and information about the MyShake and the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system—how they work, why they matter, and how they can provide crucial seconds of warning when an earthquake is detected.
A $2 contribution is requested at the start of the walk to help with Meetup fees.
PS. The first announcement I sent out listed a 7:00 AM start time; the correct start time is 10:00 AM.29 attendees
CANCELLED: Death Valley; December 2025
Furnace Creek Campground, Airport Rd, Death Valley, CA, US** Update Oct 19**
We regret to inform everyone that we have decided to cancel this year's trip due to the number of closed roads and the uncertainty of when they will open.
We are still planning a summer trip in 2026 (likely Mammoth area again, including Devil's Postpile), as well as returning to Death Valley in December 2026 (with Jeep trip to Racetrack!).
Again, we regret this decision, but feel it is the best option for the group. Look forward to seeing many of you on our day hikes in the Bay Area.
Update Oct 5:
Because of the flooding in early September, a lot of park roads are still closed. Rangers had hoped to have at least the road to Badwater open by mid-October, but with the federal government shutdown, it’s hard to know whether the repair work is still moving forward or on pause.
We normally open registration in early October, but this year we’re holding off until we know which roads will actually be open. Once we have that information and can plan our hikes accordingly, we’ll open registration right away.
I spoke with someone at the Jeep rental company, and he said that the report they heard was that, while there is significant rock debris on the closed roads, none of them suffered actual damage to the pavement. So it sounds like they are just clearing roads of this debris, and thus the roads should be opened much faster than in past storms where there has been road damage.
In the worst case, we might need to stick to hikes in the middle of the park—but don’t worry, there are still plenty of great spots to explore!
General details:
We have reserved a few sites for our annual Death Valley camping/hiking trip. It's happening this December.
We don't have this year's itinerary set yet, but wanted folks to know we're on for 2025.
We have five sites reserved (ten cars), and are looking for people with National Parks Senior passes to help us get a couple more. If you have a Senior Pass, please let Lee know if you're comfortable with us using it. Each camping site is shared by two vehicles.
If you prefer a hotel to camping, make your reservations as soon as you know you're coming.
General details of our annual trip can be found here: https://geology.trampleasure.net/geology-trips-in-the-western-usa/dvnm/
We'll probably have a tentative itinerary decided by early October, but the typical plan is:
- Dec 27th: Driving to Death Valley (it's a long drive that takes most of a day).
- Dec 28th: Day trip to either Racetack Playa (in rented Jeeps) or Ash Meadows. We have reserved four Jeeps, so up to 16 people. Cost is around $150 per person (rental price plus cost of gas). More details about the Jeeps here.
- Dec 29-31: Three days of hikes around Death Valley.
- Dec 31: Dinner at the Last Kind Words Saloon to celebrate New Year's Eve.
- Jan 1st: Whichever trip we didn't do on the 28th.
- Jan 2nd: Pack up and drive home.
The 28th and 1st are optional for those who have the time and inclination.
2 attendees
Past events
238
Group links
Organizers
Members
3,996
