Backpacking Guidelines

Note: Try to keep things as light as possible.  General Guidelines are that you should carry no more than 1/3 of your body weight.  Less is even better and makes the experience much more enjoyable. Try weighing yourself on the bathroom scale with and without your pack.  If it’s too heavy, take some things out.

1. ✓Backpack - Rentals at Trailhead outfitters; Valley Sporting Goods may still rent them; There is also an outdoor store in Turlock.
   

2. ✓Sleeping Bag and Groundcover - Down or some type of Holofil.  20 degrees minimum. Heavy plastic makes a nice ground cover or you can buy a tarp.
   

3. ✓Tent with rain fly - three season tent is fine. If you are willing to share a tent bring it up at the prebackpack meeting.  A plastic groundcloth cut to the size of your tent will keep you dryer.
   

4. ✓Bear Cannister is optional.  If you backpack in Yosemite, it is mandatory and must meet their standards.  The park rents these at the Crane Flats
   

5. ✓Gas Station and Tuolomne Meadows. Can also rent from Trail Head outfitters.
   

6. ✓Sleeping pad is optional but nice.
   

7. ✓Raingear: Poncho or Rain pants and Rain jacket.
   

8. ✓Sun hat
   

9. ✓Wool or fleece hat used for warmth at night and while sleeping
   

10. ✓Fleece\Down Parka\Vest
    

11. ✓Mosquito Headnet (optional)
    

12. ✓Gaiters (optional)
    

13. ✓Dinnerware: Cup and spoon
    

14. ✓Pots, Stove, and fuel (Monica and I will bring the pots, stove, and fuel)
    

15. ✓Matches\lighter - waterproof matches preferred.
    

16. ✓50 feet of lightweight rope
    

17. ✓Pocket knife
    

18. ✓Whistle, mirror, compass -
    

19. ✓Small towel or bandana to use for washing
    

20. ✓One to two liters of water
    

21. ✓Food: Two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast.  Must be able to make it with hot water unless you bring your own stove and pots.
    

22. ✓Breakfast ideas: Granola bars, oatmeal packets, grits packets, cream of wheat, dry cereal with dry milk, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, tea, tang, gatorade
    

23. ✓Lunch ideas: On a short backpack you could bring sandwiches which will keep like peanut butter, crackers and cheese, baby carrots, fruit, dry salami or pepperoni, mozzarella cheese sticks
    

24. ✓Dinner ideas: Dried backpacking meals are pretty good these days, Other ideas are cup of noodles, couscous cups, soup cups, tuna or chicken in foil pouches, instant rice, etc.
    

25. ✓Water bottle, lexan bottles like nalgene are the best but can use gatorade bottles or even regular plastic water bottles for short trips(Just have two incase one breaks).
    

26. ✓Headlight or flashlight, with extra batteries
    

27. ✓Hiking boots are best; may be able to use trail runners or even tennis shoes for a short trip such as this.
    

28. ✓Socks: I like smartwool hiking socks or the wigwam knockoffs; Thin liner socks are also nice to wick away sweat.
    

29. ✓Sun glasses, sun screen
    

30. ✓Bug spray - Deet
    

31. ✓Water filter\iodine tablets
    

32. ✓Hiking sticks - strongly encouraged!
    

33. ✓Optional stuff: cameras, film, binoculars, maps, fishing gear and license, field guides, games, books
    

34. ✓Chapstick
    

35. ✓Biodegradable toilet paper
    

36. ✓Optional: Ibuprofen, allergy medication, vitamins, or other medications
    

37. ✓Backpack cover or use a large green trash bag to cover your pack at night or when it rains.
    

38. ✓Moleskin\ bandages\ paper first aid tape is handy for preventing blisters
    

39. ✓Optional: biodegradable soap, hand sanitizer
    

40. ✓Personal first-aid, other personal items or medications you might need
    

41. ✓Stove, pot

Yokuts Group 2009 Management Committee

PO Box 855

Modesto, CA 95353

Chair: Brad Barker

Co-Chair: (vacant)

Secretary: Anita Young

Treasurer: Sylvan Bupp

Membership: Kathy Clarke

Programs: Kelly Skultety

Hospitality: Candy Klauschus

Mailing: Kathy Weise

Publicity: Dorothy Griggs

Political Committee: Jerry Jackman

Population: Milt Trieweiler

Conservation: Sandy Wilson

Outings: Elaine Gorman

Newsletter: Nancy Knoll

Fundraising: Leonard Choate

Calendar: Doug Hardie

Website: Jason Tyree

Giving Back to Wilderness

trip report by Elaine Gorman, photos by Paul Plathe

During a mid-March 2009, 6-day trip to the Escalante River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, five Sierra Club members helped backcountry ranger Bill Wolverton to eradicate Russian Olive. This invasive, exotic species fills the canyons in the desert southwest, tapping into scarce water sources, crowding out native plants, and scratching innocent hikers with evil spikes. Bill and other work crews had cut down the Russian Olive the previous fall, and our job was to place the cut material into safe areas for burning. Although the work was hard, we all had a feeling of accomplishment when we had cleared areas of this noxious weed in the beautiful riparian cottonwood forest. 

 

Being in the Escalante River canyon was truly magical -- our camp was located near ancient rock art on a high red sandstone cliff. The stars were brilliant each night as we watched the passing of the Zodiac. On our "free" day, Bill led us on an adventure in upper Ringtail Canyon. This slot canyon provided us with many opportunities to practice (or in my case, learn) canyoneering skills such as chimneying, bridging, and squeezing through narrow passages. Later, in Neon Canyon, we walked to the Golden Cathedral, where eons of water erosion have formed tunnels and arches in the canyon walls.    

As we climbed out of the canyon toward our vehicles on the last day, we marveled at the extensive

nocturnal animal traffic, as evidenced by all sizes and shapes of tracks in the red sand. Desert wildflowers had started to unfurl their petalicious banners. At the trailhead, we celebrated our hard work and adventure with some warm beverages before we headed into town. Muchisimas gracias to Paul Plathe, Delta-Sierra Group outings leader extraordinaire, for all of his organizing that made this trip possible. Participants Russ Grant, Michael McEuen, John Schwind, and Ranger Bill Wolverton all contributed to making this a memorable outing -- by preparing great dinners, regaling me with their stories of past outings, and not laughing as I "butt-walked" the steep slickrock. Thanks to all of you for an outstanding week.  

Note:  If wilderness is your passion, and you are interested in channeling some of that passion into benefitting the wilderness that you cherish, there are many opportunities to restore habitat, build trails, and provide other volunteer services. Check out local and national Sierra Club service trips. Also many organizations such as Sierra Club's Desert Committee, Wilderness Volunteers, Student Conservation Association, Pacific Crest Trail Assoc. and REI, offer service outings. And if wiping out Russian Olive is your thing, contact Ranger Bill Wolverton by visiting his progress page at: http://www.math.utah.edu/~sfolias/canyontales/wolverton/articles.php  

            ...

Trip Report -- Silver King Creek, Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

by Elaine Gorman

Beautiful weather on the eastside of the Sierra awaited 7 Sierra Club hikers over an expanded Labor Day Weekend.   Our route took us through Corral and Coyotes valleys, where humongous western Junipers guarded the passes.   We camped upstream of Connells Cow Camp on Silver King Creek, where fortunately there was no evidence of recent cow activity in Upper Fish Valley. We spent a layover day on a challenging cross-country loop hike to Whitecliff and Tamarack Lakes. Tall quartz monzonite cliffs, topped by volcanic basalt, was a stunning backdrop to Whitecliff Lake, the highest lake in Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.   On the way to Tamarack, we slip-slided up and down granite sand slopes, and discovered some beautiful smoky quartz crystals.   Tamarack Lake seemed to drop off the edge of the world at its eastern end, and the water was cold and clear.  The next day we headed downstream, stopping off at Llewellyn Falls for a dose of negative ions.   There has been years of controversy over the poisoning of Silver King Creek so that pure strains of Paiute Cutthroat trout can be reintroduced.  After paying homage to Don Cantwell at his legendary campsite, we hiked to Poison Flat where we kept our eyes peeled for Basque carvings on large aspen.   We ditched our packs in an old hunters' camp, and after a short hike, we reached the Soda Cone that overlooks the East Fork of the Carson River.   It's greenish, bubbling brew did not entice anyone to dive in, but we lounged around its calcium carbonate "beach".     Back at the hunters' camp we were awakened early the next morning to coyote song.   As we headed up "The Driveway" on our way back to the trailhead, we had a snack with "Stoney Boy", a giant rock cairn built by Basque shepherds.  Stoney Boy keeps watch over a big sky, and we were able to see a flock of white pelicans, a prairie falcon, and diving kestrels.  This was the perfect end to our hike.   Thanks to Christi Petersen, Stefani Reichle, Steve Hannon, Sylvan Bupp and Sarah O'Gara for joining me and Tim.

Outing Report — Yokuts Backpack

trip report by Elaine Gorman, photo by Tim Ford

Yokuts 15th Annual Summer Backpack began with a bang -- and a clap of thunder, a flash of lightning, and a barrage of hail and rain.   We hurried up and over the pass out of Leavitt Lake and dropped down to the West Fork of the West Walker River.   By the time that we set up camp, the sun had come out, and our first delicious trail dinner of burritos with fresh avocados was savored.   Marty, Kent, Randy, and Elaine sang the rest to sleep with our melodious crooning.  The next day we headed up to the "lady lakes" -- Harriet, Cora, and Helen.   We left the trail and hiked over the cross-country pass to Tower Lake.   In the shallow pond near camp, we watched a myriad of aquatic life -- a garter snake, fairy shrimp, tadpoles, and water insects.   Early next morning, we headed up the pass between Tower and Mary lakes.   The maps were marked "glacier" and "icefield", so we didn't really know what to expect at the top.   Randy scouted the way and waved us up.   A beautiful flower-filled valley greeted us on the other side of the pass.   We walked by Mary and Tilden lakes, stopping for refreshing dips along the way.   It was dark and cloudy when we got to Otter Lake, and had a brief hail storm

before dinner.  The next day brought us to Lower Twin Lake, where we were given a positive fishing report from some campers.   Although Sylvan and Tim angled a bit, the lake was too choppy for successful fishing.   Our neighbors brought over some of their leftover trout which we enjoyed.   That evening, the singers were joined by Carl, Christi, and John K.   John surprised & delighted us with his rendition of "El Paso".   The next day took us past Black Bear, Bigelow and Snow lakes.   Summit Meadow was absolutely stunning with purple, yellow, and blue blossoms. Our last camp was at High Emigrant Lake where we were treated to Carl & John's Freaky Wheat with 'shrooms and tomatoes, while the marmot family on the nearby rock pile watched us enviously. D  uring our evening hike we explored some basalt columns, our own diablito postpile.   Jon S., Sylvan, and Tim added their voices to the evening sing-along.   Our last day had us hiking on the old mine road,  up and over Big Sam, and our last fantastic views to the south.   We enjoyed dinner and beverages at El Jardin in Twain Harte before we headed home, with hugs all around, particularly to our long distance travelers -- Karen from Colorado and Jim from Vermont.  Our memories of this outing will always include the magnificent wildflowers, fantastic views, Marty's geology talks, a capella concerts, yummy dinners, and shared love of the wilderness.

2009 Outings Schedule

November 17 (Tue)

A Saunter Through the Muir Papers - Field Trip to the Holt-Atherton Special Collection

Calling all fans of John Muir!!   We will visit the University of the Pacific, Stockton, to to look at and discuss some of John Muir's collections and materials.    Michael Wurtz, Archivist at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections at the University of the Pacific, will give an introductory overview to the John Muir Papers.   Bonnie Gisel will present a 1 1/2 hour program, and is the author of Nature's Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir's Botanical Legacy and curator of the Sierra Club's LeConte Memorial Lodge in Yosemite National Park.   Lunch at UOP and short hike to check out Calaveras River restoration will follow.   We will leave from Modesto at 8:30 am., probable return around 3:00 pm.   Contact Yokuts leader Elaine Gorman at 209.524.7630 or goford@sbcglobal.net.   Space is limited, so call now.

December 5 (Sat)

Winter Hike Along the River

Easy four-mile (1A)  hike along the Tuolumne River from Legion Park.  Meet at the parking lot by American Legion Hall (1001 S. Santa Cruz Ave.) at 9:00  AM. Free. Dogs and children welcome.   Info: Dorothy  -549 - 9155.  Rain Cancels.

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