Sierra Club Outings began in 1901 with a simple idea: when people spend time in nature, they form a deeper connection to it—and are more likely to stand up for its protection.
That idea sparked a movement. One annual High Trip into the Sierra grew into thousands of Outings each year, bringing people together to explore, learn, serve, and connect.
Today, our Outings programs bring more than 30,000 people outdoors every year, continuing a 125-year legacy of connecting people with nature and with each other.
1901
William Colby led 100 Sierra Club members on the first "High Trip" to Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows
Photo courtesy of Sierra Club's Colby Library
1902
The second year, the outing ventured into Kings Canyon, and sign-ups doubled to 200 participants.
In future years, Colby started limiting the number to 150 due to the enormous logistical challenge.
Photo courtesy of Sierra Club's Colby Library
1911
Sierra Club's brand new Angeles chapter (the first of many!) led the first chapter outing to Arroyo Seco the day after its founding
Glen Dawson Collection, Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Archives
1932
Clair Tappaan Lodge at Donner Pass is built by Sierra Club members
New skiing techniques and equipment made the sport more accessible, opening up the winter season for recreation.
Photo provided by Clair Tappaan Lodge
Alice E. Knapp Collection, Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Archives
1936
Sierra Club members adapted a numerical system of rock climbing classification, initially named the "Sierra Club grading system"
It is now known as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) and is still used worldwide to this day.
April 1940 Sierra Club Bulletin
1937
William Colby leads the first "High Trip" outside of the Sierra, to Glacier National Park
Photo courtesy of Sierra Club's Colby Library
1938
Burro and knapsack (backpacking) trips are introduced
Photo courtesy of Sierra Club's Colby Library
1940
A Base Camp trip is added, featuring less strenuous activity, offering "a more intensive exploration and examination of a single area"
Photo courtesy of Sierra Club's Colby Library
1952
The post-World War II baby boom impacts leaders as much as the rest of the country; leader Alfred Dole led the first family trip as a result
March 1959 Sierra Club Bulletin
1952
The first rafting trip took place down the Yampa and Green Rivers, in an effort to stop a dam from being built in Dinosaur National Monument
March 1954 Sierra Club Bulletin
1958
The first service trip takes place, cleaning up refuse at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park
"In late 1957, Fred Eissler, former caretaker at Parson’s Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows, wrote to the Outings Committee proposing a trip for the express purpose of cleaning up cans and refuse. Thus, in 1958, the first service trip commenced. The idea was very popular, especially amongst the young people of the Club, and it became a regular feature of the outings program." —H. Stewart Kimball, History of the Sierra Club Outing Committee, 1901-1972
January 1967 Sierra Club Bulletin
1961
As participation grew, so did the need for more volunteer leaders. In response, Sierra Club launched the first volunteer leader training program, which was supplemented by a Nature Knowledge Workshop
Photo by Jim Watters, February 1961 Sierra Club Bulletin
1962
The first off-mainland trip took place in Hawaii; international trips soon followed
Photo by Wayne Woodruff, January 1971 Sierra Club Bulletin
1969
Inspiring Connections Outdoors (formerly Inner City Outings) was established to connect youth with the transformative power of nature
June 1971 Sierra Club Bulletin
1984
Letty French, Frances Reneau, Carol Dienger, and Carol Hake lead the first all-women's outing: a backpacking trip in the Sierra
Photo provided by Carol Dienger
2006
Military outdoors program launches, aiming to get service members, veterans, and their families outdoors
Photo by Anjin Herndon
2013
The Outdoors for All program is created with the mission to get people outside and close the nature equity gap
Photo courtesy of Sierra Club Outdoors For All
2016
The first LGBTQIA+ National Outing is run as a service trip
Photo by Cara Wilson
2026
Between the various outings programs, around 5,500 trained volunteer leaders guide over 30,000 participants into the outdoors every year
Photo by Grant Brown
Learn more about Sierra Club Outings and the many ways we connect people to nature and to each other.
Interested in becoming a volunteer outings leader? Join us!