Welcome to Desert Report

News of the Desert from the Sierra Club California/Nevada Desert Committee

Last Updated 7/21/2008

Following is a listing of Desert Committee Outings. There are carcamps, tours, day hikes, backpacks and service trips; as well as ones that combine two or more or those activities. Outings are not rated, distance and elevation gain can give you an indication of the suitability of a trip, but the condition of the trail, or lack of a trail can change the degree of difficulty. An eight mile, 900’ elevation gain hike on a good trail would be easy to moderate, the same hike cross country could be strenuous. Please call the leader and ask about the suitability of the outing given your conditioning, particularly if it is your first time on that type of trip.

If you have not participated in a service trip, give it some thought. They certainly involve work, but they are also a lot of fun. You have an opportunity to not only help the environment, but to meet new people and to work with staff who are knowledgeable about the area. Trips frequently include a hike the next day that may explore a little known or seldom visited area, or even perhaps one that is generally off limits to the public.

For questions about a particular outing or to sign up, please contact the leader listed in the write-up. For questions about Desert Committee Outings in general, or to receive the outings list by e-mail, please contact Kate Allen at kj.allen@wildblue.net or (661) 944-4056.

Like nearly all organizations that sponsor outdoor travel, the Sierra Club is now obliged to require participants to sign a standard liability waiver at the beginning of each trip. If you would like to read the Liability Waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, please go to: http://www.sierraclub.org /outings/chapter/forms, or contact the Outings Department at (415) 977-5528 for a printed version.

Leaders Wanted!
Would you like to lead trips for the Desert Committee? We are looking for certified Sierra Club leaders to conduct service trips with the BLM and National Park Service. There are more opportunities for service trips than our current leaders are able to sponsor. Service trips can be one day, a weekend or several days. Much of the planning will be done by the entity for which the work is being done.

Trips Wanted!
To all Sierra Club Leaders: do you have a trip planned that you might like to see in the Desert Report? Desert Committee outings are sent to every chapter newsletter in California and Nevada. Listing with the Committee can increase participation – and gives you chance to meet people from outside your local group. Please contact Kate Allen at kj.allen@wildblue.net or 661-944-4056 for further information.

Other Sources of Desert Trips
There are other organizations that sponsor desert trips, such as the Desert Survivors, Friends of the Nevada Wilderness and Utah Backcountry Volunteers. These are not Sierra Club trips, but are listed because they may be of interest to readers.

Desert Survivors Must be a member to participate. Name implies rugged, strenuous trips, and some of them are, but there are also some more moderate trips. Check ‘em out.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness conducts restoration projects in Nevada Wilderness areas. (See a partial listing of trips under NON SIERRA CLUB TRIPS in the outings section.) Go to the “Keeping in Wild” blog to read about some of their previous restoration projects.

Some definitions which may be helpful:
Lugsoles: Hiking boot or shoe with incised patterns on the soles — designed to grip trail surfaces better than a smooth sole.
Carcamp: Overnight trip involving staying at a camping area that can be driven to. Generally held in developed campgrounds, but can also be primitive camping.
Primitive camping: No facilities, in particular, no toilets or water taps.
Dry camp: No water available, participants must bring all they need with them.
Central commissary: Leader plans the meals and purchases the food. Participants reimburse leader for the cost and carry a share of the food on backpacks.
Service trip: Work party in a wilderness or other protected area to help restore the landscape to its natural setting. Examples include removal of invasive species or fences, disguising illegal vehicle tracks, or picking up trash.

Backpack in the High Toiyabe Range
August 2-4
Saturday-Monday
This trip in central Nevada will explore the east side of the Toiyabe Range, crossing a 10,000-foot pass between the South Twin Creek and Jett Creek farther south. The canyons have water; temperatures should be comfortable; views east and west across the Great Basin are guaranteed to be spectacular. Using a car shuttle our trip will be one-way, starting at 6100 feet and with a total distance of 19 miles, some on trail and some cross-country. For more info contact leader: Craig Deutsche, deutsche@earthlink.net, (310-477-6670). CNRCC Desert Committee

Mt Moriah Backpack - Central Nevada
August 6-10
Wednesday-Sunday
Moderate, 24 miles rt, about 18 with backpacks. This little visited area on the north end of the Snake Range is about 5 hours north of Las Vegas. We will start at Hendry’s Creek trailhead (6000’), and hike for two days along the creek through pine, aspen and fir to 10,000’. Day hike on third day to the Table and the peak. Next two days going out, distance on the last day is short, to allow for travel time home. If there is an active thunderstorm pattern at Mt. Moriah, an alternative trip to the Toiyabe Range is planned. Group limited to 15. David Hardy (e-mail preferred) hardyhikers@embarqmail.com or (702-875-4549). CNRCC Desert Com

Service and Hiking in the Carrizo
September 27-29
Saturday-Sunday
This is an opportunity to visit and to assist an outstanding and relatively unknown national monument. Saturday is the National Public Lands Day and we will assist monument staff and join with other volunteers working on improvements for the Selby Campground. Sunday is reserved for recreation. Our group will plan a moderate hike in the Caliente Mountains. The views are spectacular; and the monument is known for the number and variety of raptors present. Contact leader Craig Deutsche, 310-477-6670, or deutsche@earthlink.net CNRCC Desert Committee

NON SIERRA CLUB TRIPS
See Listing Below
Various
The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published only as a reader service because they may be of interest to the readers of this publication

Friends of Nevada Wilderness
NON Sierra Club Trips
August
Friends of Nevada Wilderness (FNW) organizes restoration trips to help wild landscapes recover from noxious weeds, illegal vehicle use and other impacts. Explore scenic Nevada and help keep it wild at the same time! Trips are free, and the beautiful wild areas are priceless! Contact FNW at 775-324-7667 or info@nevadawildnerness.org for more information.
Mt. Charleston Wilderness - Back Country Rangers: Volunteers needed to record visitor use along trail systems in Mt. Charleston Wilderness.
Mt. Rose Wilderness Monitoring: FNW will be monitoring this wilderness area every week in the summer to inventory invasive weeds, campsite and recreational use impacts.
Aug 1-3, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout ISA Restoration Call for details.
Aug 2-3, Mount Moriah Wilderness Restoration Call for details.
Aug 12-17, Central Nevada Restoration wotj Nevada Outdoor School
Friends of Nevada Wilderness and the Battle Mountain District BLM, will be working with a group of young people from Great Britain (through a program with the Nevada Outdoor School) for 6 days restoring impacted areas in West-Central Nevada.
The sites have not yet been picked, but these events are always a real treat. All volunteers welcome to join in the fun for any portion of the week of restoration work. Call for details.
Aug 22-24, Highland Ridge Wilderness Restoration Call for details.
*NOTE: All volunteers are welcome! Every FNW trip offers opportunities to contribute in less physically-demanding ways, such as: taking photos, writing and reporting, or just enjoying the beauty of wilderness.

Amargosa Conservancy
NON-Sierra Club Trips
September-November
The Amargosa Conservancy works to protect the land, water, and beauty of the Amargosa River, in the Death Valley area. Attendance is limited, so please call 760-852-4339 to reserve a place. Learn more at www.amargosaconservancy.org
September 27, Saturday
China Ranch
An inside tour of a working date from during harvest time. Learn about the early history of Death Valley. Meet at the China Ranch at 9:30 am. (half day, easy walking, 1-2 miles)Nov
October 18, Saturday
Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad Tour
Visit points of interest along the historic route of the Tonopah & Tidewater railroad. Meet at the Amargosa Conservancy office at 9:30 am. (full day; driving with easy walking, 1-2 miles)
November 22, Saturday
Shoshone Outing
Learn about the colorful history of this early day Tonopah & Tidewater railroad stop and mining town. Meet at the Amargosa Conservancy office at 10:00 am. (full day, easy to moderate walking, 2-3 miles)

Desert Survivors
NON-Sierra Club Trips
July-Aug 2008
Desert Survivors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to desert conservation and exploration. Trips are open only to members. See their website for more details: www.desert-survivors.org
July 26-28 (Sat-Mon) White Mountains Carcamp (M/S)
(Eastern Mono County)
Escape the heat and crowds in a bristlecone forest. We explore
the upper Cottonwood Spring area Saturday, then try in a long
hike to reach White Mountain Peak Sunday. If we turn back
before the peak, the views east and west are still extraordinary.
Monday will be gentle as we visit the Shulman Bristlecone Grove
then head home. Cameras a necessity. Limit 15. Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670 deutsche@earthlink.net
Aug 9-10 (Sat-Sun), Bodie Carcamp (E)
Bodie annually celebrates its wild past as the most lawless and toughest mining camp in the West. Share what it was like to live during the early 20th century in the high desert of California. Saturday we will hike near Buckeye Ridge then camp near Buckeye Hot Springs, a wild and heavenly soak right on the river. Sunday will be full with Bodie Days. Costumes and carpooling highly encouraged. Limit 12. Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442. kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
Aug 23-25 (Sat-Mon) Surprise Canyon Service Trip
The Weed Wars continue as we remove invasive tamarisk from the lower part of Surprise Canyon with Marty Dickes, Wilderness Coordinator for the Ridgecrest BLM office. It's a pleasant setting for our work Saturday: a flowing stream and shade. Sunday we hike a little-known trail from Surprise Canyon to Hall Canyon. For those who can stay on Monday, work will continue. Carcamp, 2WD vehicles okay. Limit 15. Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670) deutsche@earthlink.net
Aug 30-Sept 1 (Sat-Mon) Skedaddle Mountains Carcamp (M)
Three days of hiking in obscure mountains near the Nevada border. Hikes to springs in canyons and up on the range itself in this BLM Wilderness Study Area at 4000-7000'. Hills are grown to sagebrush, bitterbrush, and mountain mahogany. The air should be cool and refreshing up on top, with outstanding views. Possible antelope, deer, and wild horses. A new moon promises excellent stars. Note: On this wildlife-viewing and monitoring trip it is requested that you stay behind the leader, if you cannot, please choose another trip. Limit 15. Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706