Photo: Susan Elsner A Mountain Medley Fourth of July, Tahoe National Forest, California Highlights:
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Trip Number: 08260A Price: $875 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 18 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Susan Elsner The Donner Pass area was best known as a gateway to the promised land of California for the early pioneer families. The towering granite peaks and high passes were challenging and often unforgiving to early inhabitants and explorers of this rugged area. Today, the Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for spectacular scenery and an abundance of outdoor pastimes. Using Clair Tappaan Lodge as our home base for the week we have a variety of activities planned in the Tahoe/Donner basins that will provide you the opportunity to experience some of the best the area offers as well as learn about the history of the area and some current conservation issues affecting it.
Day 1: We'll meet at the lodge by 3 p.m. This will give us a chance to get to know one another before we head to dinner. After our meal, we'll gather over a cup of tea or hot cider and go over the week's itinerary.  Photo: Susan Elsner Day 2: We'll start the week with a hike to one of our favorite alpine lakes, where we'll swim, fish, or lounge in the sun surrounded by fragrant pines and the incredible Sierra granite. For those interested in wildflowers you may see elephant-heads, shooting stars, tiger lilies, and more. We will explore an ancient Native American petroglyph site with a ranger who specializes in the history of the area. Day 3: Today is history day. We'll hike to Cold Springs Pass, tracing the footsteps of 19th century emigrants as they broke trail through the mountains. Lunch could be on top of Donner Peak or Mt. Judah while we learn a little railroad history. We may visit the Donner Museum after the hike. That evening, weather permitting, we will enjoy stargazing with a visiting astronomer who will set up high-powered telescopes outside the lodge. Day 4: Today we visit Emerald Bay, the jewel of Lake Tahoe. We will hike around part of the Bay and end the afternoon with a privately chartered boat ride on the lake. On our way back to the lodge, we will have dinner at a restaurant on the lake that is known for it's sumptuous food. (Dinner is included in the price of the trip) Day 5: A day off for doing whatever you'd like in the area; exploring the trails around Tahoe, white-water rafting on the Truckee River, visiting Virginia City's silver mines, gambling in Reno, exploring historic Truckee, or taking a horseback ride at the Ponderosa Ranch. The leader may offer an optional day activity that participants are welcome to join; any additional cost is not included in the price of the trip. Day 6: We will hike another trail in the area, possibly to Loch Leven Lakes or Frog Lake overlook via the Warren Lake trail. That evening we will travel just a few miles down the Donner Pass road to watch the July 4th fireworks display over Donner Lake. Day 7: We'll have one last breakfast together, take a group photo or two, exchange addresses, and say goodbye. Getting There Getting to the lodge is the responsibility of each trip participant. It is a 45-minute drive from Reno, Nevada, and a three-hour drive from San Francisco. All transportation to the lodge, trailheads, or other activities is the responsibility of each trip member. Those arriving by air can rent a car or take public transportation to the lodge. All participants will receive a trip roster so that you may make arrangements to carpool. We depend on members' cars to get us to and from the trailheads.
Clair Tappaan Lodge is located between Reno and Lake Tahoe at an elevation of 7,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada . Nestled in a pocket of mountains near Donner Summit, the Sierra Club-owned lodge is a rustic retreat known for warmth, fun, good company, and family-style meals. It includes a spacious living room with an enormous fireplace, a cozy library, relaxing sun deck, hot tub, and a recreation/game room. Guests are asked to assist with chores such as meal preparation, setting tables, serving, and cleanup. Professional kitchen staffers prepare hearty breakfasts and dinners and a morning buffet from which you can pack a bag lunch. Vegetarian meal options are always available, and the staff can usually accommodate other dietary restrictions with advance notice. All accommodations at Clair Tappaan Lodge are in bunk beds equipped with mattresses. Guests are asked to bring their own sleeping bags and/or bedding. There are a variety of room types ranging from large dormitories to very small, private cubicles. Restrooms and showers are communal (two men's and two women's bathrooms) with guests providing their own towels and toiletries.
Our hikes range in distance from four to ten miles, round trip. Most of our hikes will have a shorter option, so the less ambitious need not worry. We've had trip participants from ages fifteen to seventy-eight, and have been able to accommodate everyone who was in shape. Keep in mind however, that we'll be hiking at 7,000 feet where the air is thinner and every step takes more effort. The best thing you can do for yourself and the rest of the group is to begin getting in shape now. This is especially true if you are coming from sea-level and have never hiked at this altitude before. Before the trip begins you should be able to walk a brisk one mile without getting winded and be able to carry on a conversation while walking. So go for a brisk walk every day, beginning at least 30 days before the trip. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Drink lots of water. Being physically unprepared is unfair to you and the rest of the trip participants. The better shape you’re in, the better time you’ll have.
The leader will forward a complete list of equipment once you have been approved for the trip.
If you're interested in learning more about the area, pick up a copy of the USGS topo map for "Donner Pass," available at many sporting goods stores and at the lodge or on the USGS website at http://www.usgs.gov/ . Upon registration, we'll send out a list of additional suggested readings and references. Conservation Because of its year round attractiveness to outdoor enthusiasts the Lake Tahoe/Donner Pass area is one of the most heavily visited in northern California. From a conservation standpoint, this has implications that we will both witness and discuss.
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.
Leader:
Don McBride has been a Sierra Club member for 35 years. A retired telecom computer specialist, he has just got back to hiking in the last three years. He has participated in Sierra Club outings from the Sierra Nevada to the Appalachian mountains to Tibet. He worked at Lake Tahoe renting kyaks, serving burgers, and lifeguarding while in college. He has lead hikes around Donner Summit for the last three years.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Susan Elsner is a life-long resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who likes to be outdoors, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing as often as possible. She has developed a deep appreciation for the natural environment that continues to grow with each additional year she spends in it. An experienced hiker, Susan has participated in many Sierra Club outings and looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for the outdoors and the 'Outings' experience with you.