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Saturday July 9: Kent Peak/Sapphire Mountains
Join Sierra Club and Friends of the Bitterroot for a day hike to Kent Peak (8998') in the Sapphire Range east of the Bitterroot Valley. This hike is within the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area and a prominent feature of the string of wildlands, which stretch along the wild Sapphire Crest from the Welcome Creek Wilderness south to the Anaconda-Pintlar Wilderness. It offers incredible views of the Bitterroot Range, the Rock Creek wildlands and the Anaconda Pintlars. Along the way, hikers will document recreation use on trail #313.
This loop hike will be moderately strenuous with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain over about 10 miles. Kent Peak summit is optional, with some off-trail hiking.
Trip leader: Larry Campbell
Sunday, July 10: Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour
Sierra Club's Annual Lewis and Clark Day event will be similar to last
year's with special guest speakers, a tasty bison burger barbecue and
boat tour through the Gates of the Mountains. We will present our
proposed plan for a Lewis and Clark Wilderness bill, which includes a
Wilderness addition in this special area. This family-friendly event
sold out last year and attracted over 100 participants. Cost is $15.00
for adults and $5.00 for children ages 5 – 12. To RSVP contact Katie in our Bozeman office at 406-582-8365.
Tuesday, July 19: Alice Creek/Lewis and Clark Pass Outing
Join Sierra Club for a Mushroom hike along Alice Creek with local
Mushroom expert Larry Evans. This area adjoins the Scapegoat
Wilderness along the Continental Divide at the head of the Blackfoot
River. Capt. Lewis's party traveled through this pass on their eastward
journey in 1806.Home to grizzly bears, elk, and golden eagles, the area
offers old growth forests along a pristine creek and an array of wildflowers
on the open slopes of the Divide.
Trip Leader: TBA
Saturday, August 6: Stony Mountain/ North Sapphires
Starting at Sawmill Saddle (elev. 6600 ) on the Bitterroot/Rock Creek Divide the Easthouse National Recreation trail (#313) heads south into the 103,000 acre Stony Mountain Roadless Area. The route contours above Alder Creek winding 7 miles along the Sapphire crest until reaching Eagle Point at 8005. The hike will end at Gold Creek Trailhead.
This is a full day, 10 mile up and down hike on a ridge-top trail.
Trip Leader: TBA
To sign up for Sierra Club's free Local Outings contact our Missoula office at 406-549-1142 or bob.clark@sierraclub.org.
Friday, July 8/Saturday, July 9: Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Hunt
Please join Dacotah Chapter for an outing in the Sheyenne National Grasslands in SE North Dakota July 8&9, 2005. The Sheyenne is the largest tract of tallgrass prairie in public ownership in the U.S. and has one of the few remaining populations of the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, a native plant classified as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. Friday evening we will camp at Dead Colt Creek campground south of Lisbon, ND (5 miles south on Hwy 32, at sign turn east 2 miles).
Cost is $5 for tents, $10 for hook-up. Breakfast Saturday morning will be provided. After breakfast we will join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a tour of orchid sites. Please bring your own snacks, water, and lunch for Saturday. Dress for the weather and don't forget bug spray and sun block. Bring a friend.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL Wayde: 701-530-9288, wayde.schafer@sierraclub.org.
Saturday, July 16/Sunday, July 17: Canoe the Misouri River
On Saturday July 16 and Sunday July 17, 2005 we will canoe the Missouri River from Garrison Dam to Washburn, ND, stopping overnight to camp in the Stanton City Park. Last year we saw 14 bald eagles, including a nesting pair with two eaglets. Canoe rentals are available and Saturday's evening meal will be provided.
FOR MORE INFORNMATION CALL Jessica: 701-530-9288, jessica.gilbertson@sierraclub.org.
Saturday, July 9: Buffalo Gap National Grasslands
Take a look at the southernmost of the four Buffalo Gap Natl. Grassland proposed wilderness areas. First Black Canyon is a system of two grassland canyons (Jim Wilson and First Black) about 19 miles due east of Hot Springs. Extraordinary views of the Buffalo Gap and Black Hills will delight and humble. The landscape hasn't changed much since Lewis and Clark passed through South Dakota over 200 years ago!
Meet 7:00 a.m. at the Sierra Club office, 1101 E. Philadelphia St., Rapid City, for carpooling. Southern Hills participants please call an outing leader for time/meet-up location.
For more information, contact Heather Morijah at heather.morijah@sierraclub.org.
7/10 - Kayak Touring: Summer's here, time to get on the water! Join us as we circle Batchelor Island near Ridgefield. No kayak? Rentals available in Ridgefield. Contact Lehman Holder, tripsguy@aol.com or 360-944-7957.
7/16 - Mountain Biking: Ride with us on the Banks-Vernonia rail-trail west of Portland. The trail is a former rail line, now a "linear" park, and there are no steep grades. Road bikes NOT suitable. About 25 miles roundtrip, easy pace. Helmets required. Contact Lehman Holder, tripsguy@aol.com or 360-944-7957.
7/30 - Hike: Lewis River Falls. Family-friendly, 3.5 miles one-way, 7 miles roundtrip, with minimal (500 ft) elevation gain. Car shuttle available for those wanting to hike one-way only. Come learn about our northwest native plants, as we see Oregon grape, salal, vine maple, and some spectacular old-growth Douglas fir and red cedar. A nice, shady hike for a hot day! Magnificent views of five different waterfalls -- beautiful! Meet in Battle Ground at 9am to carpool to the Lower Falls Recreation area (about an hour car ride). Contact Rick Marshall at rick.marshall@comcast.net or 360-834-3455.
8/14 - Kayak Touring: Get on the water with us as we paddle the Smith and Bybee Lakes, a huge natural area right in the middle of north Portland. Kayak rentals available at various kayak shops. Contact Lehman Holder, tripsguy@aol.com or 360-944-7957.
8/19-8/20 - 3rd Annual Dark Divide BBQ and Campout Weekend: Join us for a weekend of outdoor appreciation, education and exploration, featuring an environmental and forestry expert from Friday to Sunday, August 19-21. The base will be a rustic cabin in Northwoods, located on the Swift Reservoir on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Stay in the cabin (dormitory style), personal tent, or at the nearby Eagle Cliffs Campground cabins, tent or RV sites. Friday evening includes a potluck dinner & gathering; Saturday, simple breakfast & lunch, expert education and activity, evening cookout; and, Sunday, simple breakfast & lunch, hiking or relaxing at cabin and lake. You are asked to bring your own beverages, such as bottled water, soft drinks, beer, or wine. Weekend cost: $15.00. RSVP essential by August 1st to Marj Casswell at macasswell@aol.com or 360-576-0965. Please note that dormitory-style sleeping capacity at the cabin is limited and will be given on a first come first served basis. Reservations are recommended for Eagle Cliffs Campground. Contact Marj for details.
8/20 - Hike: Bird Creek Meadows. 5 mile loop trail with some elevation gain on Mt. Adams. An all-day event, due to the relatively long drive (2 ˝ hours from Vancouver.) Bring your wildflower books, and come learn about this area on the Yakima Indian Reservation. The roads are rough, but the flowers are worth the trip! Amazingly beautiful alpine wildflowers on this family-friendly hike. Carpool from Camas. Contact Rick Marshall at rick.marshall@comcast.net or 360-834-3455.
9/17 - Cycling: What? You've never ridden across the I-205 Bridge? Well, here's your chance! Bring your bike (should be in good condition) and join us as we cycle the "two-bridge loop." We'll ride downhill to Oregon, connect with the Marine Drive bike path to the I-5 Bridge, and back to Vancouver. Helmets required. Total distance about 20 miles, social pace (10-12 mph). Stop for coffee and conversation afterwards. Contact Lehman Holder, tripsguy@aol.com or 360-944-7957.
9/24 - Hike: Latourell Falls. Easy, family-friendly 2.3 mile loop, with 600 ft. elevation gain. Very close--only 1/2 hour drive from Vancouver. If you haven't been on this hike before, it is worth checking out. Come learn about the lava formations that created the incredible views of the Lower and Upper Latourell Falls. Interesting native plants, columnar basalt formations, and views of the Columbia River and Rooster Rock. Carpools possible, if there is interest. Contact Rick Marshall at rick.marshall@comcast.net or 360-834-3455.
Red Desert Outings
Join us for a hike and camp trip through the Red Desert. All outings are free and open to the public. Upcoming 2005 Red Desert Outings:
August 6-7: Steamboat Mountains
August 20-21: Ferris Dunes
For more information contact Kate Drexler at 307-733-4557 or kate.drexler@sierraclub.org.
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