DELTA-SIERRA GROUP

Day Hikes in the Groveland Highway 120 Area every Thursday (Day Hike 1A/B 2A/B).

Each Thursday meet at Mary Laveroni Park, Groveland at 8:00 am for an approximate 6 mile hike. Bring a jacket, water, sunscreen and a snack in a daypack and wear hiking boots. The hike is generally followed by a no-host lunch at a local restaurant. Call Frank Oyung at (209) 962-7585 or send him an email at for further details.

August 23, Saturday - Blue Wing N.F. American Wild and Scenic River Canyon (Gorge Scramble Level 3).

This is Trip # 14 on the webpage at http://www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/deltaSierra/GSPAGES/gspage0.htm. We drive to the town of Iowa Hill set up a shuttle and hike down the Blue Wing Trail to the bottom of the canyon. Then we rock hop and float 4.5 miles to the Stevens Trail. We exit the canyon on the Stevens Trail up 1600 feet to the town of Iowa Hill. Bring lunch and air mattress. Meet 8 am Roseville Square. Leader: Alex MacCollom 916-978-9470.

September 13, Saturday - Chewing Gum Lake (Day Hike 2B Yokuts Group).

This is approximately an 8-mile hike from Gianelli to lovely Chewing Gum Lake then to Crabtree at elevations of 6000 - 7,000 feet. There is a short car shuttle and a steep climb at the beginning. Swimming is an option if the weather is warm enough. Bring lunch, 10 essentials and money for dinner on the way home. Meet at Denny's parking lot in Oakdale at 7:45 am. Contact Monica Casey at (209) 632-2051 or hikerlady1955@yahoo.com. Co-leader, Derek Castle.

September 14, Sunday - Mount Dana Yosemite National Park (Day Hike 2CTuolumne Group).

The hike to the top on Mount Dana is a strenuous 6-mile round trip with a climb to 13,000 feet elevation. We start on Tioga Pass at the 9900 foot entrance to Yosemite National Park. Weather at this time of year can be cold and windy, so hikers are warned to be prepared for brisk winds and wind chill temperatures in the teens. Carry snacks and sufficient water to prevent dehydration. Altitude sickness is a possibility so taking a couple of aspirins a few hours ahead can prevent nausea and headache on the climb. A hiking staff(s) is also recommended as the trail is covered with loose rock and volcanic debris. Lunch shall be at the summit. Contact leader Frank for the meeting time, to reserve a spot and other details at (209) 962-7585 or email him at frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net.

September 26-28, Friday to Sunday - Cathedral Range Yosemite National Park (Backpack 2B Yokuts Group).

We will begin near Tuolumne Meadows and hike via trail and cross-country to Matthes Lake at 9600 feet. On Saturday we will explore more of the area. Look forward to early fall colors, reduced trail traffic, dark starry nights, and no mosquitos. This hike is limited to 8 hikers. Contact co-leaders Elaine Gorman and Tim Ford at (209) 524-7630 or by email at goford@sbcglobal.net for more information.

October 11, Saturday - Mount Hoffman Yosemite National Park (Day Hike 2C Tuolumne Group).

Frank's annual birthday hike to top of Mount Hoffman at10850 feet begins at the May Lake trail head which is off the Tioga Pass, Highway 120, west of Tenaya Lake. The climb on the 3-mile trail raises 2500 feet and includes a short rock scramble for the last 100 yards. The trail past May Lake is rough, narrow and rocky with portions on loose decompose granite, so hiking staffs are recommended. Carry water, snacks and extra clothing for changable weather conditions. Carry a lunch for eating at the peak. Mount Hoffman is at the geographic center of Yosemite, thus it affords a 360 degree view of alpine and mixed conifer forests comprising the park. Snow conditions can cancel this outing. Contact leader Frank for reservations, meeting time and other details at (209) 962-7585 or by email at frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net.

October 25, Saturday - End Daylight Savings Time Hike (Dayhike 2B Yokuts Group).

We will hike in the Mariposa Grove and the "ghost trail" in Yosemite National Park. Meet at Olde Tyme Pastries, 2303 Geer Road in Turlock at 7 am. Contact leader Randy Brown at (209) 632-5994.

Additions to this Outings Schedule occur often and it is updated immediately!   Please check back frequently.

NON-SIERRA CLUB ACTIVITIES

The Delta-Sierra Group and the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail Council are collaborating on the continued efforts to complete the Coast to Crest Trail along the Mokelumne River. Below are outings and EBMUD activities that are a part of that effort. Trail buster workdays are every two weeks throughout the year. Projects last from 4 hours to 6 hours. Please RSVP Steve Diers at (209) 772-8260 or email him at sdiers@ebmud.com prior to attending. For more information, see the Mokelumne Monitor Newsletter at: http://www.ebmud.com/services/recreation/sierra/trails/default.htm. Trail buster work parties meet at MW & RD office, 5883 East Comanche Parkway, Campo Seco.

TRANSPORTATION TO THE TRAILHEAD AND OTHER LEGAL STUFF

Although the Sierra Club believes in the desirability of car pooling, Sierra Club leaders must not organize car pools. By doing so a leader exposes the Club to a potential $50,000 liability should an accident occur on the way to the trailhead or on the way home. For this reason, all trips both begin and end at the trailhead, not the initial meeting place. Any carpool arrangements are private agreements between the driver and passengers. Drivers must carry adequate insurance coverage.

Riders are expected as a matter of courtesy to reimburse drivers to cover the transportation expense of the trip. In the past there was suggested schedule of from 4 to 6 cents per mile, per passenger, depending on the vehicle, the number of passengers and the road conditions. This was only a guideline and driver and passengers are free to agree on a different schedule of reimbursement.

Participants are encouraged to call the outing leader for time and place. At the trip, participants must sign a Sierra Club waiver under Sierra Club Policy. You can see a copy of the Sign-in Sheet and Liabilty Waiver by clicking here: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/.

HIKE RATING

Hikes are classified 1A, 2C, and so on. The number you see represents the round trip distance. The letter represents the elevation gain or the sum of all gains in elevation expected on the hike. In most cases, there will be an equal amount of descent or loss. If a hike says it is "easy", it may be easy for most. However, on one of those really hot days when everything started out wrong (your alarm clock wasn't set correctly, or you ran out of coffee) it could be tough. It might also be tough for Seniors (like me). Just call the Outings Leader beforehand!

Grade 1: Up to 6 miles (Easy)
Grade 2: 6 to 10 miles (Moderate)
Grade 3: 10 to 15 miles (Tough)
Grade 4: 15 to 20 miles (Killer)
Grade 5: Over 20 miles (Death Wish)

Class A: Less than 1000 feet gain (Easy)
Class B: 1,000 to 2000 feet gain (Moderate)
Class C: 2,000 to 3000 feet gain (Tough)
Class D: Over 3000 feet gain (Killer)

PREPARATION FOR HIKING

The following recommendations may help you to enjoy an outing . Remember in most cases you will be at a higher elevation than your body is used to and you will be on uneven terrain.

For Day Hikes

Shoes - Bring comfortable shoes or boots with ankle support. It is also suggested they be water resistant. If you are also going to cross steams, you may want to bring along tennis shoes. Also bring spare shoes or sandals for the ride home. You don't want to get the driver's car dirty with your muddy boots!

Pants- Long trousers are usually best to avoid sunburn, scratches and poison oak. If the hike includes a stop at a lake a fast drying swim suit along with a towel is suggested.

Shirt- A fast drying shirt with long sleeves is best to prevent sunburn, scratches and poison oak.

Head- You need a cap or hat. This protects you against sun and glare and a possible thunder shower. By all means bring dark glasses, chapstick, sunblock and insect repellant. In your day pack bring at least a quart of water to drink, your lunch, a non-breakable cup, light waterproof jacket and a small flashlight. You cannot drink water from stream or lakes anymore!

For Overnight Hikes

All of the above should be included plus:

Back Pack and Gear- Your pack should have a frame to support your sleeping bag, overnight gear, a change of clothes, a warm jacket, cooking and eating utensils and food. Also include toilet paper and plastic bags to carry out your trash. Be sure to coordinate cooking utensils and food with your outings leader before the trip.

For Gorge Scrambles

You will need an air floation device, waterproof pack, and water moccasins or tennis shoes, towel and a change of clothes. Definitely bring sunblock and chapstick. Contact your outing leader concerning a helmet to protect your head. To learn more about this sport visit the gorge scrambling web page.