Photo: Clinton Lewis Family Service at Clair Tappaan Lodge, Tahoe National Forest, California Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08243A Adult Price: $545 Child Price: $445 Adult Deposit: $100 Child Deposit: $50 Min. Age: 15 Capacity: 16 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Suzanne Valencia Although this is billed as a “family service trip," everyone is welcome. Participants will be successfully integrated into a cohesive, fun-loving and hard-working group. The primary purpose of this long-term project is to improve the health of the forest surrounding the Sierra Club's Clair Tappaan and Hutchinson lodges. In the 1890s, the forests in the Tahoe Basin were clear-cut, their wood used for railroad ties and buildings. As a consequence, shallow-rooted fir trees took over in place of the pines which have deep tap roots that make the pines less susceptible to drought and the infestation of bark beetles. Since Clair Tappaan's construction 74 years ago, the 50 acres of forest around it have sat mostly untouched, except for a nature trail built on the hill behind the lodge. A forester's inspection tour gave rise to a few forest management projects -- in particular, a plan to restore the woods to their pre-1860s state, before the coming of the railroad. The Project
 Photo: Suzanne Valencia Our work will consist of brush and deadwood removal -- essential to improving the health of the forest and decreasing its fire potential. The ceanothus brush is between 4- 6 feet tall, green at the top but with many dead branches underneath that would provide fuel for a fire. We will cut this down to nearly ground level so that when it comes back in the spring, the green tops will be low and not present a fire hazard. Using a tall ladder and loppers, we cut off the dead and low-hanging branches from both the pines and firs up to a height of 10-12 feet from the forest floor. We will also open the canopy by removing smaller fir trees to allow the Jeffrey pines to flourish. We can easily cut up to 3 inch trucks with a bow saw. Larger trees are cut with chain saws by the lodge staff. All of the slash is carried to several staging areas ready to be mulched and returned to the forest. We may or may not be renting a chipper for mulching, that is up to the lodge staff. We began this project in 2003 and managed to groom two acres that year. The mountains of brush that we cleared were mulched and returned to the land. In the spring of 2004, pine tree seedlings were planted on the cleared and now sunlit slopes. In the fall of 2004, we cleared the land around the Hutchison Lodge, a close neighbor of Clair Tappaan, again accumulating mountains of brush along the way. With a large group in 2005, we were able to clear more than three acres. As a result of these labors, wildflowers are flourishing in the sunshine and deer have now returned to the open areas around Hutchinson Lodge, the first seen there in decades. As always, the work projects may vary depending upon the weather, the age and ability of the participants, and the needs of the lodge.
The outing begins with an introduction/orientation meeting and a tour of the lodge. If you like, you may stay at the lodge before and/or after the trip; contact the lodge directly to reserve a place.  Photo: Suzanne Valencia Our work days will begin at 9 a.m., or as soon as we finish our kitchen chores, and we'll eat lunch near our work area. We'll stop frequently for water and rest breaks, usually finishing for the day at 3 p.m. After work, you are free to relax, walk the nature trail behind the lodge, or just hang out and get to know your fellow participants. Dinner at the lodge is at 6 p.m , except when we will eat at 5 p.m. on Sunday. On your day off, you can hike to Donner Peak and Mount Judah. Or you are free to visit the Donner Museum or spend the day in Historic Truckee. An evening visit to the petroglyphs, China Wall and the old railroad tunnels is highly recommended. The lodge has several interesting videos on the Donner Party, the building of Clair Tappaan Lodge, Pioneers of Truckee and The Iron Road for your evening entertainment. It may be possible to have a campfire (conditions permitting). The trip ends after breakfast on the last day. Lunch will be available for your trip home. Getting There The lodge is about 12 miles west of Truckee, California, which is served by both Amtrak and Greyhound as well as the airport in Reno, Nevada. To get to the lodge, you can either rent a car in Reno, (45 miles away) or take a taxi from Truckee (if you opt for a taxi, be sure to tell the driver you are with the Sierra Club and you should get a reduced rate). The leader will send out the participant roster so you can possibly coordinate sharing a rental car with other participants. The driving instructions will be sent as the start date approaches, but getting to the lodge is the responsibility of each participant. We will be able to walk to our work project, but you may wish to have a car for getting to hiking trail heads or to go to town on your day off.
In 1934, Sierra Club volunteers built Clair Tappaan as a rustic retreat for hikers, skiers, and mountain climbers. Located near Donner Summit at an elevation of 7,000 feet, the area receives the highest average snowfall of the entire Sierra Nevada Range, making the lodge a favorite with cross-country ski and snowshoe enthusiasts. In summer, a network of nearby trails offers miles of hiking and provides access to fishing streams, remote meadows and peaks, and lakes in which you can swim. The Donner Summit area is great for both road and mountain biking, and is also widely known as a rock climber's Mecca. With its spacious living room with enormous fireplace, cozy library, and outdoor fire ring, Clair Tappaan Lodge has a special rustic charm. Since the very beginning, the lodge has embodied the cooperative spirit familiar to Sierra Club Outing participants. Guests assist with daily kitchen chores such as meal preparation and serving, setting tables, or dishwashing, which require about a half-hour each day. A hearty breakfast and dinner are prepared by the professional kitchen staff and served in the lodge's large, communal dining room. Brown bag lunch provisions are available for guests to take with them. A vegetarian meal option is always available. We can usually accommodate participants with other dietary restrictions too; please let us know well in advance. Since the lodge is built of mostly wood, there is no-smoking in or near the building. All accommodations are in bunk beds; two bunk cubicles, five to twelve person family rooms, a ten person men's dorm, and a twenty-three person women's dorm. Bunks may be in two or three layers. You must bring your own sleeping bag or bedding, mattresses and pillows with pillow cases are the only provisions. The rooms are small, and you must carry your own gear up a steep hill to the lodge. The lodge manager assigns accommodations in advance. Doors do not lock, but there are lockers for which you can bring your own padlocks or rent one. Restroom and shower facilities are shared, with two men's and two women's bathrooms (bring your own towel). The lodge also has a hot tub, so be sure to bring your bathing suit! A coin-operated washer and dryer are available. You can make reservations for extended stays before or after your outing by calling the lodge directly, at (530) 426-3632.
The trip will be moderately strenuous, largely because we'll be working at 7,000 feet. Hydration is the key to fending off altitude sickness which can happen to anyone regardless of physical conditioning. You are advised to bring at least three water containers. If you have not been exercising regularly, now is a good time to start. Safety is the primary concern on all of our service trips. No one will be asked to work beyond his or her capacity.
The leader will send a detailed equipment list to all registered participants. Conservation On this trip, we will focus on the preservation and management of the forest. Good forest practices keep the woods healthy and allow for passive recreation -- hiking, nature walks, and cross-country skiing -- that doesn't disturb the flora and fauna. Good forest management also helps prevent out-of-control forest fires, which often lead to the degradation of surrounding water bodies. The connection may not be obvious, but when fire destroys soil-holding vegetation, subsequent rains cause topsoil to flow off the hillsides, clogging waterways and changing the ecology of the area's rivers and lakes.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
|
Suzanne Valencia has led many Sierra Club national trips, from Florida and Georgia to Colorado, New Mexico, California, and Utah. She loves sharing the wilderness experience with others. If you like the outdoors, this trip is for you!