Photo: Susan Barkan Family Adventures in the High Sierra, Tahoe National Forest, California Highlights:
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Trip Number: 09244A Adult Price: $545 Child Price: $445 Adult Deposit: $100 Child Deposit: $50 Min. Age: 8 Capacity: 25 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Susan Barkan The renowned Donner Summit area abounds with great vistas and hiking trails, mountain lakes for taking a cooling dip, and many historic sites. So grab a “kid” and come along. This week will provide a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time with that special child in your life, be it son or daughter, grandchild, niece or nephew. All activities are geared toward young and old.
We have planned a variety of hikes, beginning with a leisurely walk to Lakes Azalea and Flora for a swim. Other hikes may include the Rubicon Trail above Lake Tahoe followed by a dip in the lake, a slightly more strenuous trek to Summit Lake, or a hike to Donner Peak for the spectacular views of the whole world! One day will be devoted to the Donner Memorial State Park for a glimpse into the history of this interesting area, a picnic on the shore of the lake as well as a swim and a chance to paddle a kayak in the lake. All of these activities are subject to change depending on the age and ability of the group. The children should be able and willing to do a leisurely four to five mile hike. In mid-week we will plan a morning-only activity so that you can spend the afternoon exploring the historic town of Truckee or just relaxing. The large backyard of the lodge is perfect for volleyball, horseshoes, croquet, or relaxing in the late afternoon. Arts and crafts materials will be available for quiet moments. And what child doesn't like campfires and s'mores?  Photo: Susan Barkan Evening activities will include a visit to the ancient petroglyphs, and the historic China Wall. Ping pong and board games are always available as are videos of the building of the Clair Tappaan Lodge. Books and jigsaw puzzles are in the library for your quiet times. Friday evening is reserved for a talent show or skits by the children. We know that this week is a chance for you to spend some real time with that special child, so we do not want to fill your days from morning to night. The leaders ask that you do not bring DVD players, movies or electronic games. This is your week to explore and enjoy the out of doors! The outing begins with dinner at 6 p.m. on the first day. Plan to arrive early enough to unpack and unwind from your journey. There's a general store in Soda Springs, two miles down the road, where you can buy last-minute items. We would like to gather around 4 p.m. for introductions, an orientation to the week's activities and a tour of the lodge. After dinner, we will test your land legs with a walk on the nature trail behind the lodge. Each day the 7:30 am bell signals “pack your lunch” to take on the day’s adventure. The 8 am bell is the signal for breakfast. The trip ends after breakfast on Saturday. Lunch materials will be available for the trip home. Getting There  Photo: Susan Barkan The lodge is about 45 miles west of Reno, Nevada, near the historic town of Truckee, California . Reno is the nearest airport. Normally we would recommend that you contact other participants and share rental cars, but that probably is not practical for families. We will need vehicles to get to the hike trailheads. We will send complete driving directions before the trip. Due to insurance regulations all transportation to the lodge, trail heads, or other activities is the responsibility of each trip member.
 Photo: Susan Barkan Built entirely by volunteers in 1934, Clair Tappaan Lodge is just to the west of Donner Pass, in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains at 7,000 feet elevation. The lodge has a special charm, with its spacious living room, enormous fireplace, cozy library, and outdoor fire ring. You'll also find a bright dining room, sun deck, and a backyard under the trees. Most sleeping accommodations are dormitory-style, but there are several family-style rooms and small cubicles; all are equipped with bunk beds and mattress as well a pillows and pillow cases. You are expected to bring your own sleeping bag or equivalent bedding. There are two men's and two women's bathrooms, and a hot tub. Because the lodge is an old building constructed of wood and shingles, no smoking is allowed, whether in the building or on the surrounding trails. Lodge personnel consist of a resident manager, assistant manager, and a professional chef. In the cooperative spirit in which the lodge was built, each lodge guest is expected to pitch in with a daily housekeeping chore, such as meal preparation and serving, setting tables, or dishwashing. These chores will require about a half-hour to 45 minutes each day. A hearty breakfast and dinner are prepared by the professional kitchen staff and served in the lodge's large communal dining room. A vegetarian meal option is always available. Participants with other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated, provided they let the trip leader know in advance. There are two refrigerators in the basement lounge for guests to use, but keep in mind the needs of other guests who are staying at the lodge.
 Photo: Susan Barkan The best thing adults can do for themselves is to get in good aerobic shape. Remember, we'll be hiking and playing above 7,000 feet where the air is thinner, making the lungs work harder. Start some kind of aerobic conditioning regimen now to prepare for the trip. Leader Approval It is very important that, after signing up for the trip, each adult fills out the questionnaire and other forms sent in the confirmation packet. The children's parents have to complete the forms for their children. Please return the forms to us promptly. If you are traveling with a grandchild, you will need a temporary guardianship form signed by the parent. We will send this to you separately. Once we have received your completed forms, we will notify you of your acceptance. Failure to complete and send in the forms on a timely basis may indicate to the leaders that you are no longer interested in joining the trip, and it may result in moving your party to the end of a waitlist.
The leaders will send out a bulletin with an equipment list (and other information) well before the trip begins. We encourage the children to bring along a small journal or notebook so that they can record their adventures, a wonderful way to create memories of the trip. You should be prepared for evenings in the low 40s and days in the mid-80s, as well as an afternoon thundershower. Note that except for the living room fireplace, the lodge is not heated in the summer. Conservation All Sierra Club leaders are volunteers, and dedicated to conservation and the enjoyment of the outdoors. If, at the end of the trip, you share just a little bit of our love for the wilderness -- and an appreciation of the Sierra Club's work -- we'll feel that we've done our job well. Our wish is that the children on this outing become strong believers in the need to protect our wild areas. Who knows? Maybe someday they'll become Sierra Club Outing leaders. Wherever we go, we will learn how to "Leave No Trace" in order to minimize our impact. The area that we will explore is very popular, both for retirees and for recreational users in winter and summer. Indeed, as more and more people escape the big cities and buy homes in the foothills of the Sierra, they contribute to a growing pollution problem. While on the trip, don't hesitate to ask your leaders about any conservation concerns that you may have and feel free to share any similar stories from home.
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.
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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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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!
Susan Barkan has been a Sierra Club member for more than 30 years and has hiked extensively in the Sierra, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Europe.