Outings Important Information  [Home Page]    [Mother Lode Chapter]    [Sierra Club National]      Announcements  Hiking Classifications The Mother Lode Chapter uses a simple system to classify day hikes. A day hike's classification is expressed as "Grade 1B" or "(3D)", where the number represents the total estimated mileage of a trip and the letter represents the total estimated elevation gain for the day. In most cases there will be an equal amount of descent. Some trips may also have a size limitation or special restrictions for reasons of safety or to reduce their impact on the environment. If you have questions about whether you are in condition to participate on a hike, call the leader to discuss it. Grade 1 (less than 6 miles) A (less than 1,000 feet elev. gain) Grade 2 (6 to less-than-10 miles) B (1,000 to less-than-2,000 feet elev. gain) Grade 3 (10 to less-than-15 miles) C (2,000 to less-than-3,000 feet elev. gain) Grade 4 (15 to less-than-20 miles) D (3,000 to less-than-4,000 feet elev. gain) Grade 5 (20 or more miles) E (4,000 or more feet elev. gain) Leaders' Pace Ratings People often wonder if an outing leader walks fast or slow. You must keep in mind that the leader's speed is only one part of hiking. How high up a mountain the hike starts, the total mileage and elevation gains (up hill) and losses (down hill) greatly affect the difficulty of a hike, regardless of how fast or slow you walk. Below is a list of our leaders grouped according to how they normally pace their hikes. If you have any doubt about how you might fit in or have other questions, please call the leader to discuss the hike. This rating only serves as a guide as to a leader's style and is not a substitute for you being in proper physical condition before participating in an outing. Fast-paced leaders who make few stops : Adrienne Shultz Alex MacCollom Beverly Schilling Greg Hoyt Henry Smith Ted Lenzie Randy Brendia Moderately-paced leaders who make a few stops: Arlene Jamar Chuck Dotson Dilky Bruggman Elaine Holly Wenger Ingrid Bruckner Jack Tolomei Jean Crossley Jeff Utberg John Meininger Kathy Linda Geraci Mary Menconi Michael Brandt Pam Walker Richard Crescitelli Tom Sorensen Serena Fong Moderately- to easily-paced leaders who make more frequent stops: Noelle Anderson Margaret Bundy Harold Elliott Madeliene Fong Frank Gray Stan Jones Tony Loftin Slower-paced leaders who make frequent stops: Barb Miller Katherine Sargent Sandy Dunn Please provide any comments or suggestions concerning this rating system to Tony Loftin 916.448.3230 or HikingTony@earthlink.net OUTING ESSENTIALS Water (at least 2 qts; even in cool weather you get thirsty!) Lunch and/or snack Rain gear or poncho Appropriate clothing & footwear for the location (dressing in layers is best) Whistle (to signal the group if you get separated) Moleskin (especially, if you have newer boots) Pocket knife Flashlight (in the unlikely event you are still hiking after the sun goes down) Sun protection (even with a cloud cover, you can get burnt!) Insect repellent Prescribed medication ( most outings are in remote areas where medical aid is not readily availavle.) (You'll also need either a fanny pack or a back pack to haul the stuff around) An unofficial essential is Chocolate!!! INFORMATION: If you need clarification or additional information about any outing, call the contact person(s) noted in the write-up between the hours of 9:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m.  Don't wait until the day/evening before an outing to contact the leader, they are volunteers who have other interests and may not be home to respond in time to your message. RESERVATIONS: Are NOT necessary, unless the write-up indicates a limit to the number of participants or that reservations are required.. GUIDELINES: For all activities: Follow the instructions of the leader. No smoking is allowed during our activities. Singles' activities do not include children (under 18) or pets, unless specified otherwise in the write-up. Be sure you are in adequate physical condition to undertake the activity you select. If you are uncertain of the difficulty of the trip or your ability, check with the leader before you decide to go. For hikes: Bring lunch, water and other essentials for hiking. Bring $$ for your driver (and most outings end with an optional dinner). Wear boots or sturdy shoes. To avoid blisters and sore feet, be sure to break-in hiking boots before hiking in them. For bike rides: Rides are recreational and social experiences, not high speed athletic events or races. Terrain varies, from bike lanes on city streets to country roads, rolling foothills and hilly climbs. A helmet is required. You and your bike need to be in good condition. You should have a patch kit and pump Ensure that your tires are properly inflated and your brakes are in good working order Bring plenty of water. Obey the "rules of the road." TRANSPORTATION Although we believe in carpooling, leaders are prohibited from organizing carpools. Any carpool arrangements are private agreements between the driver and his/her passengers. Drivers are responsible for carrying adequate liability insurance. Riders are encouraged to reimburse drivers for the transportation expenses of the trip. We suggests $4.00 per each passenger for each hour of driving; plus an equal share of any bridge tolls or parking fees incurred during the trip. MEETING LOCATIONS Directions to popular meeting locations used by the Sierra Singles' leaders. When another meeting location is indicated, contact the activity leader for clarification or additional information. 11th & P Streets: A state parking lot in downtown Sacramento. Use the corner of the lot closest to the intersection. Hazel Ave. Park & Ride: On Hazel Ave., north of Hwy. 50 (across Hazel Ave. from the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and next to the CSUS Aquatic Center). Roseville Park and Ride: At Eureka Rd exit I-80. Cross Eureka Rd, turn left past Shell station and right into Brooklfield restaurant parking lot, park close to road. Light Rail Stations (no overnight parking):  Sunrise "Light Rail" Park and Ride From Sac: Take Hwy. 50 East to Sunrise Blvd. exit.  At off ramp stop light, take right turn.  Immediately get in left hand lane at stop light (right lane of dual left hand turn lane).   Take left onto Folsom Blvd. off Sunrise.  It is an immediate right turn into the parking lot under the light rail overpass at the corner of Folsom Blvd. and Sunrise. On Power Inn Rd: (Howe Ave) just south of Folsom Blvd Park in southwest corner (along Power Inn Rd.) On Watt Ave: just south of Folsom Blvd. Park in southwest corner (along Watt Ave.).  When do I get my first issue? The newsletter is published quarterly (March, June, September & December). If you do not want to wait until then, you may receive the current issue by enclosing a legal size, self-addressed, stamped envelope with your order. Please allow up to three weeks for delivery.  JOIN THE CLUB!!! By joining the Sierra Club, you will be supporting the nation's oldest and largest environmental organization. You will also receive the Club's full-color periodical, Sierra magazine and our Chapter's newsletter, The Bonanza.  Change of Address? Use a U.S. Postal Service Address Change form or a 3"x 5" card and indicate both your old & new addresses. Mail the change notice to: Sierra Club Singles' Schedule PMB #102, 1500 W. El Camino, #13 Sacramento, CA  95833-1945   Sierra Singles' Organization Questions? Ideas? Perhaps you'd like to volunteer? (We can always use help!). Call the appropriate coordinator below Leader Trainee Coordinator: Ingrid Bruckner 383-6457 or ingbru@macnexus.org. Newsletter & Outings Editor: Tony Loftin 448-3230 or HikingTony@earthlink.net. Newsletter Subscription Problems: Carol Signor 967-5048 Web: Alice Bauman ABauman_SC@sbcglobal.net Boating Section Chair: Larry Deckard 663-2191 or LarryDeckard@earthlink.net. Steering Committee:  Jack Tolomei, (Chair) 944-4942; Margaret Bundy 849-1882; Jennifer Chandler, Stan Jones 393-5373; Barb Miller 925 5862; Marlene Mirassou, Henry Smith 482-1380 Treasurer: Margaret Bundy 849-1882