Outings

Friday Nov. 6th to Tuesday 10th.

Join us for the 27th Annual Tour of the Mother Lode of Hot Springs in the Bishop/Bridgeport area south of Reno in eastern California. In 4 days of car caravaning and tranquil saunters we’ll soak in 10 different rustic hot springs to qualify you for the coveted Sierra Club Hot Spring Patch. Starting Friday night we’ll stay at the historic Winnedumah hotel with breakfast the following morning. Succeeding nights include lodging and gourmet dinners at some of the most unique, off-the-beaten path venues the Eastern Sierra has to offer. Group size is limited and always has a waiting list. Please mail two (2) self-addressed, 44¢ stamped, legal size envelopes (or email address), check for $240 made payable to “Sierra Club” with day & night phone numbers for participant rideshare self-networking list to leader: Dave Bybee, 2600 NE Minnehaha St. BB-18, Vancouver WA, 98665-1300, phone: 360-993-4247, email: DaveBybee@oregon.sierraclub.org

We will take an easy walk on the lowlands around this jewel of a preserve near Edison / Samish Island to see wintering birds on Padilla Bay and in the surrounding fields.

Meet 10 am at the Fairhaven Park & Ridge at I-5 exit 250.  Bring snacks & lunch and also water, and dress for the weather. Open to the public.

Contact Terese VanAssche for more information and to sign up, at terrasolutions@hotmail.com or 253-234-2157. (MB) Late lunch at the Rhododendron Cafe afterwards if the group likes.

6 miles RT / 1100 Ft. elevation gain. Outing geared to advanced beginners and imtermediate snowshoers. Travel through deep woods that open up to a ridgeline & Lanham Lake above the Stevens Pass Nordic Ski area. Part of this trail is wide and groomed, soem through the woods climbing steep sections to the lake.

Here's a chance to enjoy this alpine lake jewel in a winter wonderland with relatively low avalanche danger. Work off that that Holiday feast! Bring snowshoes, waterproof boots and poles, gaiters, lunch & water, and wear appropriate outdoor winter gear (NO COTTON!) Cameras too! Open to the public; limit of 8 participants. Trip location or date could change based on weather conditions and avalanche danger.

Jan. 10th Sunday

Smithbrook Road at Stevens Pass. Wide trail, gradual uphill climb. Bring your own snowshoes and poles, wear waterproof boots, warm clothes in layers, bring raingear in case the weather changes, high calorie lunch and 2 liters of water. Get in shape now for this great outdoor exercise, fit participants only. This is a moderate level outing with moderate elevation gain.

Trip may change depending on weather, snow levels, or avalanche danger. For details, please contact Jacquie Powers. powers.jacqueline@gmail.com 425-771-7715

JULY 3-4, 2010

Join a spectacular early summer overnight campout at Cutthroat Creek campgound, and hike the Cutthroat Pass trail.  This is a high elevation hike from east to west between Rainy and Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway (SR 20). 12.5 miles one-way, elev. gain & loss 2500 ft. We will join the PCT and hike back to Rainy Pass. A vehicle will be left at Rainy Pass to shuttle back east to pick up vehicles. Wildflowers should be in a riot of bloom - Avalanche lily, Monkeyflower, and Bird's Beak Lousewort were plentiful on our last trip here. 

Sea kayak the fascinating inter tidal zone of the Pacific Northwest in several National Wildlife Refuges and estuaries along the Oregon and Southwest Washington Coasts. We will be camping from our kayaks for multiple day paddles and staying in Oregon State campgrounds for day paddles. This is a Sierra Club National Outings sea kayak vacation trip suitable for advanced beginners so all meals, campsite fees, and transportation from Portland, OR. are included in the cost. You’ll need to bring your own personal camping gear and sea kayak. Rentals available. 

SEPT. 10-12, 2010

Please join the Sierra Club on this Northern Loop backpack of Mt. Rainier's Wonderland Trail.  We will travel about 34 miles over 3 days, starting out from Sunrise camp.  This trip is rated strenuous due to the length and elevation gain & loss. We will cross Skyscraper Pass, gaining 2900 ft. See the natural bridge and Yellowstone cliffs.

This trip will require good hiking boots, sleeping bag & tent, pad, backpackers pack, and your own lunch food for 2 days.  Hiking poles are recommended due to bridge and footlog washouts from the devastating 2006 floods, river crossings, and steep terrain. Leader will cover dinner Friday, and breakfast & dinner meals Saturday and Sunday. Contributions welcome! Trip cost is $35 epr person for backcountry camping fee and cost of meals. To sign up and for more information such as meeting location, please contact Terese VanAssche or call 253-334-2157. Carpool to meet in Seattle at 8 am on September 10. (CH)