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 frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net for further details.

Day Hikes along Highway 108 the First Wednesday of the Month (Day Hike 2A/B).

From now until June there will be dayhikes along Highway 108 (Sonora Pass Road) on the first Wednesday of each month. The hikes will be 6 to 8 miles long and moderately strenuous. Bring lunch, water and other essentials. Contact leader Jon Sturtevant at (209) 928-3010 or by email at js3060@yahoo.com.

May 17, Saturday - Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Tuolumne Group Day Hike 2A)

This is a jointly sponsored outing with the Sierra Club Tuolumne Group and Restore Hetch Hetchy. After a short talk from Ron Good, Executive Director of Restore Hetch Hetchy we will hike from the dam through a quarter mile tunnel to the trail to Wapama Fall. On the way we shall enjoy the sights of many species of wildflowers in full bloom and marvel at the misty flow of the seasonal Tueeulala Fall cascading down the sheer sides of the canyon wall. Further up canyon beyond Wapama is Hetch Hetchy Dome and across the reservoir is Kolana Rock. Total roundtrip distance is 6 miles and hikers are warned to be prepared for watery stream crossings and a drenching if they want to cross the footbridge to the east side of Wapama Fall. Bring lunch, water, and hiking staff and sandals for stream crossings. Meet at Laveroni Community Park in Groveland at 9 am. For more details contact leader: Frank at (209) 962-7585, or email him at frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net.

May 19, Monday - Del Valle Regional Park (Yokuts Group Day Hike 3B)

This is another hike for retirees, slackers, and others. Continuing my fascination with areas west of the Altamont, we will hike 10-12 miles around another man-made lake in the rolling hills near Livermore. We will follow Ridgeline and East Shore Trails to take advantage of the ridge top viewpoints and lakeside habitat. Hopefully we will catch the tail end of the spring wildflowers and miss the the summer heat of this sparsely shaded area. We will keep an eye out for Derek's catamount. Bring lunch, beverage, appropriate clothing, $$ (for carpooling and parking fee), and other essentials. Modestans meet at North Modesto Park'n'Ride on Sisk Road near Vintage Faire Mall at 8:00 am. Others call email for an alternative meeting place. Sign up with Yokuts leader Elaine Gorman by phone at (209) 524-7630 or by email at goford@sbcglobal.net.

June 14, Saturday - Pinecrest Lake, Stanislaus National Forest (Yokuts Group Day Hike 2B)

Stroll around Pinecrest Lake, with lunch at nearby, but rarely visited Catfish Lake. This 6-7 mile hike has about 1000 feet of elevation gain. Bring lunch, plenty of water, good walking/hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, and all of the essentials. Meet at Denny's in east Oakdale at 8 am. There could be a probable dinner stop. Contact Yokuts leader Elaine Gorman by phone at (209) 524-7630 or by email at goford@sbcglobal.net.

June 17, Tuesday - South Grove Calaveras Big Trees (Delta-Sierra Group Day Hike 1A)

Join Nan Ballot and Steve Stocking for a 5-mile hike in the South Grove at Calaveras Big Trees. We will meet at the parking lot by Toot Sweet at Quail Lakes Drive and March Lane in Stockton at 7:30 am. Bring money for park entrance fees, your lunch, binoculars, water, sun screen, and mosquito repellent. Plan on dinner after. Please call by Sunday June 15 if you plan to join us. Co-Leader Steve Stocking. Leader: Nan Ballot (209) 476-1926.

June 21, Saturday - Bed Bug Smith Trail Middle Fork Yuba River Canyon (Delta-Sierra Group Day Hike 2B)

So named for a miner at a 1906 dance in Comptonville whose collar was home to a bed bug. Join us for a strenuous day hike on this seldom used trail that takes us down 1600 feet in 2 miles to the bottom of the river canyon. We return on the same trail. This is a scouting trip for a future gorge scramble. Expect to return late in the evening. Meet Roseville Square 7 am. Leader: Paul Plathe 209-476-1498.

June 22, Sunday - Bell Meadow Wildflowers (Tuolumne Group Day Hike 3A)

The Bell Meadow wildflower hike is near the Emigrant Wilderness Area in Stanislaus National Forest. Enjoy a beautiful walk through the meadow to savor the sights and smells of early summer wildflowers. We stop for lunch at Mud Lake and return to the cars via Pine Valley. This hike is about 7 miles with an elevation gain and loss of 1000 feet. Car pool from Laveroni Park in Groveland at 8 am or at Burger King in East Sonora at 8:40 am. Additional information from leader: Frank, at (209) 962-7585, or email him at frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net.

July 11 - 13, Friday-Sunday - Beginner Backpack, Burgson Lake (Tuolumne Group 1A)

This is a two-night backpack into the Carson-Iceburg Wilderness of the Stanislaus National Forest. Burgson Lake is three quarter miles off the Fence Meadow Trail located near the Clark Fork of the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River. This lake at 500 feet elevation overlooks Beardsley Reservoir located on the Middle Fork and is warm enough for swimming. An optional day hike to Fence Meadow or Sword Lake will be offered. To reserve a spot and for further information contact Frank at (209) 962-7585 or by e-mail at frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net.

July 12, Saturday - Cape Horn N.F. American Wild and Scenic River Canyon (Gorge Scramble Level 2)

We will start this outing from the Stephens Trailhead near Colfax, descend 900 feet and hike 4.5 miles along the south wall of the canyon river to its confluence with Secret Ravine. Then we will gorge scramble and float the 2.25 miles to the Iowa Hill bridge. This is an excellent trip for first time scramblers. To learn more see Trip #1 at: http://www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/deltaSierra/GSPAGES/gspage0.htm. Bring lunch and air mattress. Meet at 8 am at Roseville Square. Leader: Alex MacCollom 916-978-9470.

July 18, Friday - Dinner and Gorge Scramble Training

This dinner and gorge scramble training program in Sacramento at 7 pm is full. However, you may contact leader: Paul Plathe 209-476-1498 in the event of a cancellation.

July 19, Saturday - Wildflower Stroll in the Carson Pass Area (Delta-Sierra Group Day Hike 1A)

The Forest Service limits groups to 13 in this area and I already have at least 3 signed up. So first come, first served and I will provide further information only to those who contact me and sign up. Leader; Steve Stocking snlsox@earthlink.net. Note: This hike was orginally scheduled for June, but was changed by Steve because it was too early in the season for flowers at that elevation.

July 26-30, Saturday-Wednesday - Thirteenth Annual Yokuts Summer Backpack (Yokuts Group Backpack 2B)

This summer’s five day hike will start at the Onion Spring Meadow trailhead near Lake Edison and go into the Margaret Lakes area of the John Muir Wilderness. The hike rating is moderate to strenuous with some cross-country hiking on day 4 over a class 2 pass. A layover day at Margaret Lakes will allow added time to explore the scenic lakes and rock formations such as Cockscomb, Sharktooth, and Arch Rock that lie along the western side of the Silver Divide. Limited of 10 persons. A deposit $25 is needed to reserve a spot on the trip. For further details, please contact Yokuts leader Jerry Jackman at phone (209) 577-5616 or by e-mail at jjackman@sbcglobal.net.

July 26-27, Saturday and Sunday - Italian Bar N.F. American Wild and Scenic River Canyon (Gorge Scramble Level 3)

See Trip #6 on the webpage http://www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/deltaSierra/GSPAGES/gspage0.htm. This is an easy overniter that still deserves a Level 3 rating because of the hike out. It has good trails in and out of the canyon, the 2.75 miles of canyon bottom offers lots of pools in a remote and wild canyon. We will also pay a visit to the Marrs mine at Italian Bar. There is 2400 feet of elevation gain on the hike out. Bring air mattress and overnight gear. Meet Roseville Square 8 am. Leader: Paul Plathe 209-476-1498.

August 2, Saturday - Silver Dollar Gorge in Duncan Canyon (Gorge Scramble Level 2)

This side canyon of the Middle Fork of the American River offers a short but picturesque scramble of a steep, narrow bedrock creekbed. There is a mandatory swim of about 50 feet and 600 of elevation gain on hike out. For more information see Trip #2 at http://www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/deltaSierra/GSPAGES/gspage0.htm. Bring lunch and flotation in daypack. This outing is full. Leader: Paul Plathe 209-476-1498.

August 16-17, Saturday and Sunday - American Eagle Gorge N.F. American Wild and Scenic River Canyon (Gorge Scramble Level 3)

See Trip #7 on the webpage at http://www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/deltaSierra/GSPAGES/gspage0.htm. This outing offers a great wilderness camping experience, unique pools, gorges and a large boulder jumble with car and truck sized boulders. We also visit several historic mines complete with tunnels and stamp mills. Bring air mattress and overnight gear. Call the week before the outing for available space, meeting time and place. Leader: Paul Plathe 209-476-1498.

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.

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.