Photo: Claudia Hilligoss 50+ Donner Lake Rim Trailbuilding, Tahoe National Forest, California Highlights:
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Trip Number: 08315A Price: $545 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 18 Leader:
The Trip In cooperation with the Truckee Donner Land Trust, we plan to build a new section of the Donner Rim Trail through the Tahoe National Forest. When complete, this 23-mile trail will encircle Donner Lake, tying into portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, Donner State Park, and Truckee, California. The Project Under the supervision of Donner Land Trust employees, our trail work will involve clearing trees, brush, rocks, and various other tasks needed to build a section of a multi-use trail and/or help repair existing sections.
 Photo: Claudia Hilligoss We will gather at Clair Tappaan Lodge, located about 10 miles west of Truckee, California, and about 45 miles west of Reno, Nevada. Amtrak, Greyhound, and an airport serve this area. To get to the lodge, you can either rent a car in Reno or take a taxi from Truckee (approximate cost is $35). The leader will provide driving instructions. The trip will begin with an informal gathering at 3 p.m. in the backyard. If you arrive early, you can unpack, bird watch on the lodge deck, hike on nearby trails, or shop in nearby Soda Springs or Truckee. Arriving early gives you additional time to acclimate. We will begin our work on day two, and plan to have day three as our off day unless inclement weather occurs on a work day. The trip ends after breakfast on day seven. Work days will begin at 9 a.m. with a 20-30 minute ride to the trailhead. Lunch will be wherever we are at noon. Frequent water and rest breaks will be called, and the workday will end around 4 p.m. After work, you are free to relax, walk the trails, or just hang out and enjoy time at the lodge getting to know everyone. Dinner at the lodge is at 6 p.m. (except 5 p.m. on Sundays). On our day off, there are many nearby attractions: hiking up to Castle Peak or the Pacific Crest Trail to the Peter Grubb Hut, swimming in alpine lakes, the “Chinese Wall” and old railroad, the Donner Museum, Squaw Valley, Truckee, or Reno. In the evenings, we will enjoy opportunities for videos, a fire in the living room fireplace, games, cards and music. Due to insurance regulations all transportation to the lodge, trail heads, or other activities is the responsibility of each trip member. Leaders are unable to arrange carpools for participants. Those arriving by air should plan to rent a car or make their own arrangements to carpool with other trip participants. If you wish to carpool, a roster of other trip members will be provided before the trip.
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 offer miles of hiking and provides access to fishing streams, remote meadows and peaks, and lakes in which to swim. The Donner Summit area is great for both road and mountain biking and is also widely known as a rock climber’s Mecca. Clair Tappaan Lodge has a special rustic charm with its spacious living room and enormous fireplace, its cozy library, and outdoor fire ring. Since the very beginning, the cooperative spirit familiar to Sierra Club outings participants has been employed at the lodge. Guests assist with daily kitchen chores such as meal preparation and serving, setting tables or dishwashing. These chores 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. Participants with other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated, provided the trip leader is informed in advance. Because the lodge is an old building, constructed of wood and shingles, no smoking is allowed either in the building or on the surrounding trails. All accommodations are in bunk beds (bring your own sleeping bag or bedding). The rooms are small and you must carry your own gear up a rather steep path and inside stairs, so it’s wise to limit your gear to what you can easily manage. Accommodations are assigned in advance by the lodge manager. Doors do not lock, however there are lockers and locks may be rented. Recently remodeled 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. Those who wish to stay additional nights at the lodge before or after the trip, may make arrangements directly with the lodge at www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl/ or (530) 426-3632.
Work will be moderately strenuous due in large part to working at 7,000 feet elevation. Hydration is the most important tool to prevent altitude sickness, which can happen to anyone regardless of physical conditioning. Everyone is advised to bring at least three quart water containers. This service trip is suitable for seniors and beginners because everyone is encouraged to work at your own pace. However, if you haven't been exercising regularly, now is a good time to start. Safety is the primary concern on all our service trips.
The leader will send a detailed equipment list to participants once they have been accepted on the trip.
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Conservation Preservation and management of the forest is a large focus of this service trip. Good forest practices keep the woods healthy and allow for recreation, hiking, nature walks, cross-country skiing that does not disturb the flora and fauna. Good forest management helps to prevent out-of-control forest fires that often lead to the degradation of surrounding water bodies. This occurs because soil-holding vegetation has been destroyed by the fire thereby allowing top soil to flow off the hillsides during subsequent rains. The resulting siltation clogs waterways and changes the ecology of the river or lake.
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:
Alex Louden grew up in Brooklyn and raised her family on Long Island, where she was active with local environmental organizations in cleaning up and marking trails. In 1991 she moved to the San Francisco Bay area where she discovered the many opportunities for hiking, trail building, and backpacking available through the Loma Prieta Sierra Club Chapter and the Sierra Singleaires group. Alex has been a leader on hikes and trail building weekends in the Bay Area and a co-leader on backpacking trips. Alex recently relocated from Washington State to Philadelphia.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Claudia Hilligoss has been a Sierra Club Outings participant, cook, and service trip leader since she joined the club in 1992, exploring destinations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and the Midwest. She recently relocated to the Donner Summit area where she enjoys her favorite pastimes: hiking, cross-country skiing, photography, and watercolors. In the past she has volunteered as a local group chair in Northern Kentucky, and for the fundraising committee of the Cumberland Chapter. Having worked at Clair Tappaan Lodge during the winter of 2004, she now serves as a member of the Clair Tappaan Lodge Committee.