Southern Sierran
Newsletter of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter
March 2023
LATEST
WATCH a quick video from Benin Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, learning about urban drilling in LA County communities, speaking with local staff and volunteers in Los Angeles!
SAFTEY FIRST
For the third year in a row, the all-time, highly-anticipated program "Hiking Safely, Hiking Smartly" returns in a virtual format, sponsored by the Crescenta Valley Group and the Verdugo Hills Group of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. Featuring Life-Saving Experts from Montrose Search & Rescue Team and the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, learn how to stay safe on the trails and protect yourself and others.
HERE COMES THE SUN
How a Sierra Club activist made solar a whole lot easier for their community.
Later this month, keep an eye out for a special 'Water Edition' of our newsletter from the Chapter Water Committee. This edition will be packed with valuable insights and information about the Sierra Club's water campaigns in California, including tips for improving water quality, the importance of water conservation, and much more!
Vehicles swamped by flooding at West 43rd Place near Leimert Boulevard during the 1938 flood. Photo from the Los Angeles Times Archives.
EVERY LAST DROP
Our neighboring chapter, the Toiyabe Chapter, works to protect Inyo and Mono Counties through the 'every last drop' coalition. Because of LADWPs huge impact on the Owens Valley, we are promoting their newsletter here. Every Last Drop keeps readers informed on important issues dealing with water in the Eastern Sierra. This month... ALL THIS WATER but what will LADWP do with it?
An estimated 5 billion to 10 billion gallons of water fell on the Los Angeles Basin in early January, yet only about 20% was captured in the county. Most flowed out to sea, picking up pesticides/herbicides, oils and grease, heavy metals, trash, bacteria, and other contaminants from communities along the way. Failing to adequately capture stormwater, and treat it, is both a pollution issue and a water sourcing issue. For every drop of its own water that it fails to harness, L.A. has to buy, rather expensively, water from the California Aqueduct or the Colorado Aqueduct, or further degrade the Eastern Sierra with diversions, dewatering, and pumping.
If you've been considering going solar, now is the time to act! With California's new rate structure going into effect on April 14th, 2023, the average compensation rate for solar will drop by up to 75%. But if you get your no-obligation application for solar panels into Swell Energy by April 7th , they can submit your paperwork and lock in the best utility credits for solar before the deadline. This means thousands of dollars in savings over the lifetime of your system. Plus, as a Sierra Club member you’ll get $500 cash back on solar, energy storage or both SwellEnergy will donate up to $750 to our chapter. It's a no-brainer!
Pictured: Central Group picture in front of the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park via Facebook
GET OUTDOORS
At the Sierra Club, we believe that immersing oneself in the great outdoors is not only beneficial for our physical and mental health, but it also ignites a commitment to protect the planet.
Each month you can join us on adventure-filled journeys to some of the most stunning landscapes in SoCal. Click here to see a full list or check out featured activities below.
Here are some featured outings this month.
Newcomers Hike - Griffith Park
Sun, Apr 2, 2023; 8:30 AM
Organized by: Central Group
Easy paced, hilly walk, 3 miles, 500 ft gain, approximately 2 hours. Newcomers welcome. We'll hike up to the "La La Land" bench, down through shady Fern Dell, and enjoy views of the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory. Then we'll grab coffee and a pastry at the Trails Cafe. Level: Easy
Buck Gully, Corona del Mar
Sat, Mar 11, 2023; 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Organized by: Orange County Sierrans
The hike is a bit short of 6 miles with 600' gain/loss. We walk along the Buck Gully Trail up to San Joaquin Hills Rd, walk along next to the road, snack at Rane Chen Gazebo, then reenter the park, walk down a steep hill to rejoin the Buck Gully Trail. Poles are helpful on this combination of narrow single track and wide fire breaks. Three bridges for stream crossings, some shade, nice views from the top with a covered rest stop. Newcomers welcome! Level: Moderate
SoCal Seven Summits #1 Slide Mountain
Sat, Mar 18, 2023; 8:00 AM
Organized by: Wilderness Adventures Section
Slide Mountain (4631') Join us for hike #1 of the SoCal Seven Summits. Each hike in the series gets progressively longer, steeper, higher. Slide Mountain is located in the northwest corner of Angeles National Forest. The Slide Mountain Fire Lookout is listed in the National Historic Lookout Register. From the top you will have 360 degree views of Pyramid Lake, Lake Piru, Sespe Wilderness, and Los Padres National Forest. 11 miles 2500 elevation gain. Level: Strenuous
