Six Trips are offered in 2008,
varying from 4 to 7 glorious Sierra days

Guidelines for all Trips:  On all trips, mules carry gear to the campsite, drop it off, and return at the end of the trip to carry it out.  If the weight per person that can be carried by the mules is not shown for a trip, clarify it with the trip leader.  In addition, you may carry as much as you like in your pack when you hike in.  All trips provide wine for the  “happy hours." Participants chip in pot luck style for the Happy Hour food, which often can substitute for dinner.  Campsites below 10,000’ generally allow campfires. During the trip, each participant may choose their own activities, within safety guidelines.  The leaders will plan daily hikes, which are optional.  Trip limits are 15 unless noted otherwise. To apply, contact the indicated leader with information about your condition, experience, and altitude tolerance.  After you are accepted for a trip, the leader will provide the details you need about what to bring and trip plans.  Note reservation & cancellation policy.   Sign up and have fun! 

O: Hetch Hetchy/Rancheria Falls:    Jun 20 - 23, Friday - Monday
Join us for a 6.7 mi moderate hike in along the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Rancheria Falls base camp. Easy-paced hike in (tigers beware & be politely patient) with multiple gains and losses for an overall elevation change of 800'. On the way, we pass tall, slender Tueulala Falls and cross the base of powerful Wapama Falls spilling 1200' over a granite precipice. Base camp is at stunning Rancheria Falls, providing a little water music for an inspiringly situated trail camp. Layover day options (moderate +) include Tiltill Valley and a trek to peek at the mouth of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. Depart trailhead 7:30 am Friday, return to trailhead Monday afternoon. Participants are strongly urged to use the trailhead campground on Thursday night, with mandatory 8 pm arrival deadline. Trip cost is $170 for SC members / $180 non-members. To apply, contact Asst Leader: David Cross. Level 2 Provisional leader: Terry Boehmer
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Trip Filled

Mule Pack & Natural Science Sections
O/I: Humphrey Basin (11,200'):  July 20 - 25, Sunday - Friday
This is a fabulous opportunity for cross country hikers who love to “naturalize” as they hike. We start from North Lake outside of Bishop on Sunday morning, go over Piute Pass and drop down to Humphrey’s Basin. After 2100' of gain and about 7 miles, we’ll arrive at our treed campsite at the top of a waterfall next to Lower Golden Trout Lake (exact site depends on conditions). From there, we’ll have four full days to hike to the nearby peaks and lakes including Muriel Peak, The Keyhole, and Mt. Goethe, and Muriel Lake, Goethe Lakes, Desolation Lake and many others. Besides hiking, participants can fish, relax, photograph or engage in artistic endeavors. In the evenings, Winnette and volunteers will organize gourmet pot lucks around food that you bring. We’ll provide plenty of wine to keep us warm. While the higher elevation means we can’t have campfires, mosquitoes and other pests should be minimal. We’ll have Sherry Ross, Sierra Club naturalist, to help us identify flora & fauna. You’ll be able to camp in comfort and enjoy a variety of food with up to 50 pounds of gear per person plus whatever you can carry on your back hiking in. To apply, contact reservationist Sherry Ross and provide info on your recent distance and elevation conditioning. Cost is $240 per/person. Co-leaders: Laura Joseph, Sherry Ross, Winnette Butler.
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O: Cottonwood Lakes: August 3 - 9, Sunday - Saturday
On Sunday we’ll hike out of Horseshoe Meadow, southwest of Lone Pine, 5 miles and 1300' gain to the beautiful Cottonwood Lakes. Our Campsite is next to one of the five Cottonwood Lakes, in a beautiful treed meadow. There are marvelous hikes in this area ranging from strenuous to easy and including the major peaks, Langley and Cirque, as well as many lakes. There are sufficient trails for those who prefer that method of travel. Fishing is catch and release only; all activities are at your personal option. We’ll have a pot luck/happy hour organized each night by Laura, with participants providing the food and the leaders providing the wine. You’ll be able to camp in comfort and enjoy a variety of food with up to 50 pounds of gear per person plus whatever you can carry on your back hiking in. To apply, contact reservationist Mary Patterson. Cost is $250 per/person. Co-leaders: Dan Butler, Laura Joseph, Mary Patterson.
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Fourth Recess: As a result of the large number of requests for this trip, we have added a second trip to this area for the same dates.
Two base camps: one at the Lake and the other along Golden Creek.

O: Fourth Recess Lake and Golden Creek (two trips): August 17 - 23, Sunday - Saturday
Fourth Recess Lake: This gorgeous lake is reached from the end of Rock Creek road (10,260’) via a 7 mile hike over Mono Pass (12,060’) to our campsite at Fourth Recess Lake (10,150’). The lake is at the lower end of the Recess with steep mountains on both sides. The eastern wall rises more than 2000’ above the lake and a small waterfall drops 800’ into the lake at the south end, providing a spectacular setting. Dayhike possibilities include Snow Lakes at the upper end of Fourth Recess, Golden Lake at the headwaters of Mono Creek, Hopkins Lake, Third Recess Lake, and lake-filled Pioneer Basin. Pioneer Basin is framed by peaks named for the railroad pioneers (aka the Big Four or the Robber Barons): Hopkins, Huntington, Crocker, and Stanford. The peaks, along with Mt Starr, offer a couple of peak-bagging opportunities to those so inclined. Or try your luck fishing along Mono Creek or just relaxing in this beautiful setting. Enjoy daily happy hours / potlucks with wine provided. Trip limit is 12, weight limit for the mules is 50 lbs per person and the cost is $270.  Contact Co-Leader: Yvonne Tsai to apply.  Co-Leaders: John Kaiser, Winnette Butler

Golden Creek: Base camp is about 1/2 mile north of Fourth Recess Lake near the junction of Golden Creek and Fourth Recess Creek at an elevation slightly under 10,000'. Trailhead, dayhikes, and amenities are the same as the Lake trip, with the addition that campfires are permitted due to the lower elevation. This trip has a limit of 15 and will allow a little more weight per person for a cost of $278. To apply, contact Laura Joseph. Co-leader: Bob Hansen

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O: Backpack without a Pack to Vogelsang Lake in Yosemite: August 29 - September 1, Friday - Monday
This is our annual Labor Day weekend trip to the beautiful Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park. We'll hike in on Friday, up Rafferty Creek, 7 miles, 1700' gain to our base camp in the Vogelsang Lake area. We'll have two full days to enjoy the spectacular scenery, with views of lakes and peaks. On one the days, we'll hike to Merced Lake to the High Sierra Camp that is farthest from the main road. One layover day will not have a scheduled activity, although you are welcome to join in painting or sketching. Happy hour with wine provided. We'll hike out on Monday. Cost is $195 per person. For this trip, you will be asked to send full payment on acceptance. To apply, contact Asst Leader: Christine Gutierrez with info on distance and elevation conditioning. Level 2 Provisional Ldr: Francine Oschin.
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