What we’re about
Austin Sierra Club (local branch of the Sierra Club) holds outings for outdoor activities: hiking, camping, biking, backpacking, kayaking, community service projects, and more. These include local one-day events to greenbelts and natural areas, weekend trips to state parks, as well as longer trips to national parks.
All participants must sign our Sign-In Sheet with Participation Agreement before joining one of our outings. You are strongly urged to add your cell phone and emergency contact numbers on the sheet, for your safety. More information is needed for overnight trips.
Many of our events are rated Easy and everyone is invited to particiate, but others have fitness and experience requirements. Smoking and vaping is not allowed on our events. Check with the Leader to see if pets are allowed.
Although it's not necessary to participate in our events, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (in addition to the Meetup group), and support our efforts to protect the environment.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hike at Mayfield Park and Laguna Gloria (+ Hill workout; Wine)Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve, Austin, TX
Join us for an easy-paced 3-mile hike thru the Mayfield Nature Preserve and Laguna Gloria museum grounds - a tranquil oasis in the heart of Austin. Mayfield has a few creek crossings, which should be hoppable by those with average ability, and a rocky hill with 60-foot elevation gain (optional) . Laguna Gloria affords a wonderful view of Lake Austin with outdoor sculpture on display. There is normally an entrance fee, but is free on Thursdays. No pets allowed.
Participants must sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
Optional Pre-Hike: Arrive at 6pm for a brisk self-paced walk up to Mount Bonnell and surroundings. You must be accustom to exercising in extreme summer heat and bring water.
Optional Post-Hike: After the hike, join us for a favorite beverage at Flo's Wine Bar (7 minute walk).
If not already a member, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (the national club, not just the Meetup group) and help protect the environment and our democracy.
- Barton Creek Hike (Brisk paced)Barton Creek Greenbelt (Twin Falls Access), Austin, TX
*We’ll hike at a BRISK pace. We’ll cover roughly 7-8 miles. We’ll hike the greenbelt hills, cover rocky terrain, and STRENUOUS climbing sections. We’ll follow some less-used greenbelt trails taking us to and beyond many of the wonders and treasures of Barton Creek.
*Be prepared to keep up! The hike will be challenging but doable; mysterious yet approachable. This hike is geared towards a small group of fun people who really like hiking. This is for experienced hikers who already have good conditioning, balance, who enjoy trails with rocky, uneven terrain. No pets allowed.
*We’ll work out and work up an appetite on the trail too. We often go out after the hike to Pinthouse for food and drink.
Suggestions:
- Wear hiking shoes. Bring water (recommended 2 liters to survive the summer heat), snacks, and your phone for photos & emergencies only.
- Be on time. We will leave promptly at posted time. We do not wait.
- Bring an extra shirt for after the hike because you will be soaked from sweat.
- RSVP only if you will be attending. Attendance will be tracked, and habitual no-shows will be removed from future events.
Notes on how to find the meeting point:
We will now meet at the Twin Falls trailhead. From Capital of Texas Highway, turn as if you’re heading south on Mopac. But instead of taking the Mopac on-ramp, remain on the frontage road. Just past the ramp, you’ll find the Barton Creek Greenbelt Twin Falls access point. There is parking on both sides of the road. Be careful of traffic when walking to the trailhead which is near a green dumpster. Don't leave visible valuables in your car, lock everything in your trunk.Participants must sign a liability waiver at the Trailhead.. You may view the document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
Consider joining the Sierra Club. Membership isn't necessary to join the hike but it's highly encouraged: http://www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin - Service Project - Gila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentUpper Scorpion Campground, Silver City, NM
*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
Important Note: This Service Project has been twinned with a September 20-28 Service Project at Bandelier National Monument. If you want to do both, you must register for each separately...
Join us for a week long Service Project at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument..
Although only 45 miles from Silver City, NM, it takes an honest 90 minutes to traverse that distance.
We will be staying at the Scorpion Campground. It has potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. There is a natural hot spring one mile away. Even better, the magical private Gila Hot Springs is only three miles down the road.
We will have a day off for hiking. We might have a campfire ranger talk. Park interpreters will take us to "someplace interesting."
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches.
Under our system for evening meals, you and partners will be responsible for feeding the entire group one evening. This includes bringing and preparing the food, Dish Patrol and washing said pots and pans.
To sign up:
- RSVP on Meetup: The Meetup may show as full, but if you want to come, please sign up! There is usually plenty of turnover.
- Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is right for you.
- Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton at gmail.com.
- Complete the Medical Form: [https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021](https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021) Scan and email the form also to stanpeyton at gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
- Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
- Mail the forms to:
Stan Peyton
8408 Hanbridge Lane
Austin TX 78736VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.
Don't sign up unless you are serious about attending!
| YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: |
| ----------------------- |
| •Container(s) for leftovers |
•Kneeling pad
•Geologist's Hammer (we are not kidding)
•Tent and implements of sleeping
•Covid mask
•Dishtowel
•Earplugs
•Evening meal for Saturday
•Flashlight
•Food and drinks for all your breakfasts, snacks and lunches
•Hat
•Long pants
•Tools for working on the trail (If you already have them)
•Personal prescriptions and first aid kit
•Plate/bowl
•Silverware
•Sunscreen
•Tweezers
•Water bottle
•Work gloves - Service Project - Bandelier National MonumentPonderosa Group Campground, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM
*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***
Important Note: This Service Project has been twinned with a September 13-20 Service Project at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. If you want to do both, you must register for each separately.
Join us for a week long Service Project at the Bandelier National Monument. As you can see from the map, it is quite close (6 miles) to the urban comforts of Los Alamos.
This Service Project differs from others because Bandelier is very firm in wanting us to work on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 27th. We will still have a day off for hiking - it's just that our work will skew to later in the week than it usually does.
We will once again be building Beaver Dam Analogs. 36 beaver have been introduced into Bandelier over the past three years. There are two populations at opposite ends of a canyon. Our job is to build the analogs, without power tools, in the middle of the canyon between the two populations.
The trailhead to our worksite is at the Ponderosa Group Campground, where we will be staying. There is 600' of elevation difference and 2.5 miles between our campground and our worksite.
Ponderosa has potable water, pit toilets, fire rings and picnic tables. There are showers and laundry facilities six miles away at the Seasonal Employees Triplex.
Rain is "highly unlikely." We have been promised a campfire ranger talk.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches.
Under our system for evening meals, you and partners will be responsible for feeding the entire group one evening. This includes bringing and preparing the food, Dish Patrol and washing said pots and pans.
To sign up:
- RSVP on Meetup: The Meetup may show as full, but if you want to come, please sign up! There is usually plenty of turnover.
- Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is right for you.
- Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton at gmail.com.
- Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 Scan and email the form also to stanpeyton at gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
- Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
- Mail the forms to:
Stan Peyton
8408 Hanbridge Lane
Austin TX 78736
VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.
Don't sign up unless you are serious about attending!
| YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: |
| ----------------------- |
| •Container(s) for leftovers |•Kneeling pad
•Geologist's Hammer (we are not kidding)
•Tent and implements of sleeping
•Covid mask
•Dishtowel
•Earplugs
•Evening meal for Saturday
•Flashlight
•Food and drinks for all your breakfasts, snacks and lunches
•Hat
•Long pants
•Tools for working on the trail (If you already have them)
•Personal prescriptions and first aid kit
•Plate/bowl
•Silverware
•Sunscreen
•Tweezers
•Water bottle
•Work gloves
