Dallas Sierra Club Calendar
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Apr 22 (Mon) Earth Day
Today is Earth Day
Apr 26-28 (Fri-Sun) Colorado Bend State Park Group Campout
THIS TRIP IS ALMOST FULL. SEND RESERVATION FORMS AND PAYMENT ASAP.
Tent campers of all ages and abilities will enjoy this weekend adventure at one of Texas' most scenic state parks. The park is a four-hour drive through the hill country from Dallas to near Bend, Texas, west of Lampassas. We've reserved the large group campsite by the Colorado River for tent camping on Friday and Saturday nights. Pack your tent, camp chair, hiking shoes, bike, kayak, guitar, telescope or croquet set--this park is great for adventure or just relaxing. Everyone will have plenty of time to explore the unique park highlights, including Gorman Falls (pictured at right plunging 65 feet over fern-covered travertine). Spicewood Springs is another attraction, suitable for April soaking in clear water. Details, cost and reservation forms (required) are in this PDF. Sorry, no RVs or pets. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306
May 1 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets upstairs at Whole Foods Market, southeast corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane, in Dallas at 6:30 pm. Contact the Dallas Group Chair for more information.
May 4 (Sat) Visit the Blackland Praire Raptor Center. In Lucas on the shores of Lake Lavon
Spend the morning up close and personal with some of Texas' raptors. The raptor center houses and cares for raptors who for various reasons can no long care for themselves. We will see Great Horned owls, Barred owls, Barn owls, Red Tail hawks, and Red Shoulder hawks to name a few. Arrive at the raptor center at 9:30. From 10-11am we will go see the new born raptors and hear how they are raised. From 11-12 we will go to the ampitheatre for a presentation on the adult raptors. And from 12-1 we will take a walk with master naturalists on the remnant priarie. May is the beginning of wildflower season so the flowers may be putting on a show. $5 per adult and $3 for children. This fee also entitles you to have your picture taken with a raptor so bring your camera. Limit 12 and no dogs. Call Jim Binnings to reserve your spot. Trip rated: Easy. Leader: Jim Binnings Send Email 205-746-3266
May 7 (Tue) Wilderness Navigation Class - Part 1
Want to plan a hike or bushwhack off-trail but you're uneasy about finding your way? Don't risk your safety on a GPS and batteries - join us for this highly respected two-night, hands on class and learn how or refresh your skills to read and use a topographic map and compass to plan, orient, and navigate your journey through our special places. Part 1 is Tue., part 2 is Wed., both at 6:30 p.m., upstairs at Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane. Cost for the two-night class is $35 for Sierra Club members, $40 for non-members (best class price around). An optional nearby hike for class participants will be offered the following Sat or Sun. morning with instructors to help you practice what you learned. Pre-registration greatly appreciated by clicking here or just show up and pay at the door. Bring a compass if you have one. If not, we'll have an extra you can use and we'll advise what to look for when you buy your own. Sessions will run until 8:45pm. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306
May 8 (Wed) Wilderness Navigation Class - Part 2
Second night of our two-part class that begins Tue., May 7. Both sessions are at Whole Foods Market, Preston Road at Forest Lane. See above for details and link to pay online. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306
May 11 (Sat) Dayhike At Palo Pinto State Park
This trip is full now, contact the trip leader to be placed on a waiting list.
Just 80 miles west of Fort Worth, in the hilly Palo Pinto Mountains, lies Palo Pinto State Park. It's about 2 hours drive from north Dallas. Texas Parks acquired the land in 2011 but the Texas Legislature has so far not funded development of the park and it is not open to the public.
This day hike will visit the north part of the park along Palo Pinto Creek. It's likely we will be the only people in the park. Our Texas Parks guide for the hike has asked that we limit group size so advance signups are required. You'll need to bring a lunch, water bottle, and the usual stuff for a long dayhike. After the hike we may visit a local museum and/or adjourn to a local restaurant for an early supper. We'll meet in the Palo Pinto area at 10:00 am so you'll need to leave Dallas by 8:00 am at the latest.
To sign up and get all the details contact your fearless leader. Trip rated: Moderate. Leader: Bill Greer Send Email 972-247-0446
The Texas Legislature has for years underfunded our parks. Texas Parks has a maintenance backlog for existing parks of nearly $600 million.
I'm working on plans to facilitate carpooling. Details will be sent to those who sign up.
More details about Palo Pinto are available at these links: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article157852519.html
May 14 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Speakers not booked yet. If you have ideas for a Sierra Club General Meeting speaker, or would like to help plan General Meeting speakers, please contact programs@dallassierraclub.org. Everyone is invited. Full details will be on our home page soon.
May 15 (Wed) NO Outings Committee Meeting this month
There will not be an Outings Committee meeting this month. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, June 19, at Whole Foods. Organizer: Bill Greer Send Email 972-247-0446
May 19-21 (Sun-Tue) Exploratory backpack trip in White Mountains Wilderness, New Mexico
For many years our Memorial Day bus trip alternated between White Mountains Wilderness, near Ruidoso, and Bandelier National Monument, near
Los Alamos. Then wildfire devastated both, and it’s been years since we’ve been back. But fire is a natural part of forest ecosystems and they do recover.
It’s time to go back and see what the new White Mountains are like! We’ll meet Sunday morning, check out trailheads, and spend two nights in the back country to see how trails have recovered. Wednesday we'll check out some other BLM and historic sites in the area. It’s a scouting trip so expect plans to be fluid! Much of our backpack trip will be on the Crest Trail, which features some of the best views to be found anywhere. Trip rated: Moderately Strenuous. Leader: Mark Stein Send Email 214-526-3733
Jun 2 (Sun) Basic First Aid and CPR class
The Dallas Sierra Club has arranged a Basic First Aid/CPR class on this date from 1:30 until approximately 5:00, with emphasis on first aid situations experienced while hiking or camping. The class is recommended for outings leaders who need to gain or maintain first aid or CPR certification. This class is not required for leaders who have completed a Wilderness First Aid class within two years. The class fee is $70. The Dallas Sierra Club will reimburse the entire fee for its leaders upon leading a hike or other outing within six months. Call for location information. Contact: Mark Stein Send Email 214-526-3733
Jun 5 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets upstairs at Whole Foods Market, southeast corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane, in Dallas at 6:30 pm. Contact the Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Jun 11 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Speakers not booked yet. If you have ideas for a Sierra Club General Meeting speaker, or would like to help plan General Meeting speakers, please contact programs@dallassierraclub.org. Everyone is invited. Full details will be on our home page soon.
Jun 19 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
The Outings Committee meets on most third Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. to plan outings and events. Anyone interested in outings is welcome to attend and participate. Come upstairs at Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane, Dallas. Reply to Bill to be added to the advance agenda email list or to suggest an agenda item. Organizer: Bill Greer Send Email 972-247-0446
Jul 9 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Speakers not booked yet. If you have ideas for a Sierra Club General Meeting speaker, or would like to help plan General Meeting speakers, please contact programs@dallassierraclub.org. Everyone is invited. Full details will be on our home page soon.
Jul 9 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club. Our July meeting ONLY will be held at 5:30 p.m. just before our July general meeting at Brookhaven College. Contact the Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Jul 17 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
The Outings Committee meets on most third Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. to plan outings and events. Anyone interested in outings is welcome to attend and participate. Come upstairs at Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane, Dallas. Reply to Bill to be added to the advance agenda email list or to suggest an agenda item. Organizer: Bill Greer Send Email 972-247-0446
Jul 21-26 (Sun-Fri) Backpack in Colorado
Save this July week for a Colorado backpacking adventure! This has become a popular annual event for Dallas Sierra Club backpackers. This year's destination is the Uncompahgre Wilderness, southwest of Gunnison. The area's been called the "Switzerland of America." We'll hike trails by the East Fork and Middle Fork of the Cimarron River. One itinerary includes an opportunity to set a base camp for day hiking to Uncompahgre Peak, elevation 14,301 feet! An "Uncompahgre Lite" option peaks at 12,600 feet when connecting the valleys of the East Fork and Middle Fork. For more information and registration forms, contact the coordinator. Trip rated: Strenuous. Coordinator: Mark Stein Send Email 214-789-4596
Transportation for this outing is by personal cars or carpools. We charge no fee for this one, but participants pay their own trip expenses. Although the outing begins in camp on Sunday night, July 21 and ends at the terminal trailhead, participants should allow fifteen driving hours for travel from Dallas. Some participants will extend their travel before or after the outing. The outing is limited to two parties of twelve people and it is now more than 3/4 full.
Aug 7 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets upstairs at Whole Foods Market, southeast corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane, in Dallas at 6:30 pm. Contact the Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Aug 13 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Speakers not booked yet. If you have ideas for a Sierra Club General Meeting speaker, or would like to help plan General Meeting speakers, please contact programs@dallassierraclub.org. Everyone is invited. Full details will be on our home page soon.
Aug 29-Sep 3 (Thu-Tue) Pecos Wilderness, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico
Save the dates! We're still working on details but this Labor Day weekend, we're traveling by bus to backpack in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Pecos Wilderness Area.
Details and directions on how to sign up will follow soon.
Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306
Sep 4 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets upstairs at Whole Foods Market, southeast corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane, in Dallas at 6:30 pm. Contact the Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Sep 10 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Speakers not booked yet. If you have ideas for a Sierra Club General Meeting speaker, or would like to help plan General Meeting speakers, please contact programs@dallassierraclub.org. Everyone is invited. Full details will be on our home page soon.
Oct 2 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets upstairs at Whole Foods Market, southeast corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane, in Dallas at 6:30 pm. Contact the Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Oct 8 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Speakers not booked yet. If you have ideas for a Sierra Club General Meeting speaker, or would like to help plan General Meeting speakers, please contact programs@dallassierraclub.org. Everyone is invited. Full details will be on our home page soon.
Oct 18-20 (Fri-Sun) Fall Weekend at Beavers Bend State Park, Oklahoma
Celebrate fall by joining us for a weekend of fun in scenic southeastern Oklahoma. We have the large group compound reserved, complete with your choice of rustic cabin or tent camping, bathhouse (flush toilets and hot showers!) and dining hall with kitchen. We'll offer various Saturday hike options with Dallas Sierra Club leaders or explore on your own. The park offers additional activities, including paddling (rentals available), horseback riding and more. Saturday night catered dinner option if you don't feel like cooking! This weekend is for singles, couples, families, friends and all ages, EVERYONE. Details and reservation information will be posted here in August. Trip rated: Kid Friendly. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306
Feb 5-10 (Wed-Mon) Big Bend National Park, 2020
Save these dates for the Dallas Sierra Club's annual bus trip to Big Bend National Park--depart Dallas on the night of Wednesday, February 5, return by sunrise on Tuesday, February 10. There will be multiple options to backpack or day hike from a base camp. Details will be posted after September. Contact: Mark Stein Send Email 214-526-3733
