What We Do
In order to cultivate our close-knit community, in addition to our weekly hikes and pot lucks we organize many other activities. We are fortunate to have several leaders willing to organize multi-day outings. These include trips to
- Pt. Reyes National Seashore (hostel),
- Echo Summit Lodge (skiing),
- Pinnacles (camping),
- Sunol Wilderness (backpacking),
- The Sierra Nevada (hiking, camping),
- Thousand Island Lake (mule pack), and
- Alpine Lodge (Oktoberfest).
Closer to home, we hold an assortment of special events. Besides traditional food, the June picnic has games and music, and the holiday party includes a gift exchange. Members sign up to share their far-flung adventures at our monthly travel programs. We also enjoy house concerts organized by one of our members and other musical programs in which a member is performing.
Our efforts at conservation are multi-fold. At potlucks those who bring their own dishes get to serve themselves to food ahead of those without their own plate. Donations for conservation are requested at potlucks, and periodically the members vote to send this to local conservation and land preservation organizations. Finally, our conservation chair shares details of creek clean-ups with us. Our current chair is planning to share additional volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
2016 Activities
Hiking.
A total of 91 Sunday hikes were scheduled in 2016. We had at least 2 hikes, and sometimes 3 hikes each Sunday. About 25 hikes were led during our special trips, mule packs and Sierra Safaris. Sunday Hikes Organizer was Warren Brown.
Potlucks every Sunday.
Our group is one of the few sponsoring Sunday "After the Hike" Potlucks, friendly get-together and relaxing moments in our volunteer members homes. Organizer was Monica Lodge.
Travel Nights.
Seven special presentations during spring and summer were made by adventure travelers on subjects including "Close Enconters of the Wild Kind", "Sierra Adventures" and "Yellowstone and the Craters of the Moon National Monument". Organizer was Rita Baum.
Echo Summit Lodge Trip.
Several members joined an pouting at the Echo Summit Alpine Lodge Snow Trip for skiing, snow shoeing and relaxing by the fire from January 29 - February 3. Organizers were Dianna Klemmick and Alma Fletcher.
Saint Patrick Potluck.
Fifty members joined together for the 32nd year of St. Patrick's Day "Corned Beef and Cabbage Potluck" on March 17. Organizers were Nancy Nagel and Judy Pugh.
Point Reyes National Seashore Trip.
In March, 25 members traveled to Point Reyes National Seashore for a three day outing that included staying at the Pt. Reyes Youth Hostel, with forays to Tomales Point Elk Preserve and the Drakes Bay coastal trails. Here they are relaxing after a hard day’s hiking. Organizers were Larry Stafford and Rita Hayden.
Pinnacles Campout.
Twelve people had a great time on April 15 -17 at the Pinnacles National Park. Hiking with great vistas, fascinating caves, amazing rock formations and the best wildflowers. Organizers were Dennis Gaushell and Warren Brown.
Garden Concert.
On April 23 35 members enjoyed a Concert "Celtic Spring with Valerie Rose and Mister Barky" which presented songs fitting of Spring, from Ireland, England, Scotland and America. Organizer was Larry Stafford.
Sunol Wilderness Backpack.
For three days, 
May 6-8, the 20th Annual Sunol Regional Wilderness Backpack was held . Participants had fun on a 2-night, 3-day backpack on the other side of nearby Mission Peak with lots of wild flowers. Here we see Warren Brown and Angel Wang at the famous "W" tree. Organizers were Ed Martin and Sam Atabaki.
Big Basin Memorial hike.
On Sun May 15, We had the annual Big Basin Dedication Hike to the Singleaires Grove to dedicate trees to our friends who have passed in the last year. As of 2016, about 96 of our members have had trees dedicated to them. Organizers were Judy Ogle and Judy Pugh.
Summer Picnic.
On Sun June 26 about 50 members gathered at the Stevens Creek County Park Villa Maria Group Picnic area for good food, fun, games and togetherness. Organizer was Katharine Kleinke.
Sierra Safari.
On July 20-27 twenty four people went on our Sierra Safari to Lassen National Park and Echo Summit Lodge. The Safari included four days car camping at Lassen Volcanic National Park and three days at California Alpine Club Echo Summit Lodge, South Lake Tahoe. Organizers were Steve Smith and Warren Brown.
Mule Pack.
The August 17-23 Mule Pack
went to the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area. Fifteen people joined in this exploration of the Thousand Island Lake area in the Eastern Sierra, northwest of Mammoth Lakes. Organizers were Steve Smith and Warren Brown.
Kings Mtn Art Fair.
On Saturday and Sunday Sep 3 & 4 our members hiked to attend the Kings Mtn Art Fair near Skyline Hwy 35. Organizer was Alma Fletcher.
Oktoberfest Celebration.
On October 17-19 a group of members went to the beautiful Alpine Lodge, halfway to the top of Mt. Tamalpais, for Oktoberfest. They hiked for three days, then had a big party is with Helga’s fantastic German food, Bier, Wein and Oktoberfest Musik and Dancing. Organizers were Helga Campbell and Alma Fletcher.
December Holiday Party.
About 46 members joined in a December Holiday Party held at the Henrik Ibsen Norwegian Lodge on Skyline Hwy 35. Organizers were Alma Fletcher and Helga Campbell.