Austin Sierra Club Outings

Camping and hiking at Big Bend on Thanksgiving is a Sierra Club tradition!

We have the group campsite reserved at Rio Grande Village Campground from Wednesday through Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. This is a green, scenic area along the Rio Grande and has the most amenities in Big Bend, with hot showers and camp store.

What's Included
We'll camp together, and Austin Sierra Club Outings is providing leadership for moderate to strenuous hikes each day. Everyone should bring their own camping equipment and food for the full duration of the trip. Sierra Club is not providing transportation, but carpooling will be encouraged among individuals.

Activities
Rough itinerary:

• Nov 27, Wed – Travel day, arrive at park, set up camp, maybe short pre-dinner hike
• Nov 28, Thu – Moderate to Strenuous hike. Group Thanksgiving dinner - details TBD
• Nov 29, Fri – Again moderate to strenuous hike.
• Nov 30, Sat – Strenuous hike around Chisos Basin. Option of evening hot springs.
• Dec 1, Sun – Travel day, break & clean up camp, return home

The group hikes will be moderate to strenuous on rugged terrain up to 7,000 ft elevation and will involve driving your own, or carpool, vehicle on park roads to trailheads, some of which are dirt roads.
Example hikes:

• Marufo Vega: 13.5 miles, 2,700 ft elevation gain, with possible shorter options
• Window Trail: 5.2 miles, 950 ft gain
• Lost Mine Trail: 4.8 miles, 1,100 ft gain
• South Rim Trail: 12.5 miles, 2,600 ft gain, with or without Emory Peak option

It will also be possible to "sign out" and hike on your own.

For Thanksgiving dinner Sierra Club may organize a potluck - TBD.

Costs

• Sierra Club’s cost for campsite sharing, hike leaders, trip organization, is $95 per person. Income which exceeds expenses will be donated to the local club to support our environmental causes.
• Contact the leaders if you would like to apply for need-based financial aid.
• Budget additional funds for park entry: $30 for 7 days per vehicle, unless somebody in your car has a national park pass.
• Incidentals: Showers ($2 in quarters), any restaurant meals, and camp store purchases.

Refund policy:

• 100% if cancelled before Nov 1
• 50% if cancelled after Nov 1 but before Nov 15
• No refunds for cancellations made on or after Nov 15

Signup Details
Hiking can be a demanding activity, and camping in wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is one you will enjoy. Because of this, we have a few steps in our signup process.

To sign up:

1. RSVP on Meetup: The Meetup will initially show as Full, and you will be placed on the Wait List while we process your application.
2. Provide info: Send us your name, cell number, email address and a few sentences about your physical condition and experience to: [email protected]
3. Wait for discussion with Trip Leaders.
4. Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 . Scan and email the form also to [email protected] (preferred) , or mailing address can be provided.
5. Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is right for you.
6. Pay $95 via PayPal on the Sierra Club Donation website: http://www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin/donate , or mailing address for checks can be provided.

You will then be approved for the trip!

In early to mid November participants are encouraged to attend the Pre-Trip Meeting, either in-person or remotely, and there is typically a Pre-Trip Training Hike.

Precautions and Waivers

• Participants must sign a Liability Waiver before the trip. You may view the waiver document here.
• Precautions must be taken to prevent interactions with wildlife!!
• We will follow all health and safety guidelines issued by the National Park Service.

*We’ll work out and work up an appetite on the trail too. We often go out after the hike to Pinthouse for food and drink.

Suggestions:

• Wear hiking shoes. Bring water (recommended 2 liters to survive the summer heat), snacks, and your phone for photos & emergencies only.
• Be on time. We will leave promptly at posted time. We do not wait.
• Bring an extra shirt for after the hike because you will be soaked from sweat.
• RSVP only if you will be attending. Attendance will be tracked, and habitual no-shows will be removed from future events.

Notes on how to find the meeting point:
We will now meet at the Twin Falls trailhead. From Capital of Texas Highway, turn as if you’re heading south on Mopac. But instead of taking the Mopac on-ramp, remain on the frontage road. Just past the ramp, you’ll find the Barton Creek Greenbelt Twin Falls access point. There is parking on both sides of the road. Be careful of traffic when walking to the trailhead which is near a green dumpster. Don't leave visible valuables in your car, lock everything in your trunk.

Participants must sign a liability waiver at the Trailhead.. You may view the document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
Consider joining the Sierra Club. Membership isn't necessary to join the hike but it's highly encouraged: http://www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin

Lets meet at the Madrone Parking lot at Pedernales Falls State Park at 1:00p.m. and take a hike through shaded trails to Jones Spring. We'll stop for a hearty trail snack/lunch at Jones Spring and then head back. This is a Nature Hike, so our pace will be slow and easy with frequent stops for observations and discussions about nature. There are no restrooms and no water available on the trail, so come prepared with plenty of water. Hike will take 2 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the number of stops along the way. After the hike we will drive to Johnson City (approximately 12 miles) for dinner at the Pecan Street Brewing Company where pizza and burgers are the best in town. After dinner the lights will be on in Johnson City and it will be the perfect time for a hike around town before returning home.

YOU MUST MAKE A DAY PASS RESERVATION WITH PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION EARLY, AS THEY DO FILL UP. YOU CAN PRINT YOUR PARKING PASS FROM HOME FOR THE MADRONE TRAILHEAD ONLY AND AVOID STOPPING AT THE PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK HEADQUARTERS BEFORE THE HIKE.

The trail from the Madrone Parking Lot to Jones Spring is gorgeous this time of year. The cedar elms should be bright yellow in color and the Red Oaks, flaming red. This trail has a diversity of trees and plants including one of the largest Live Oak trees in the county. Trail is hilly, rocky and steep in some places. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and you may want to bring a walking stick. We will stop along the way to enjoy the beauty of nature and share our outdoors knowledge.

Once we return to the Madrone Parking lot, you will have an option to drive into Johnson City(approximately 12 miles) to the Pecan Street Brewing Company. They feature pizza, burgers and all kinds of yummies. After our meal we can hike the Christmas lights around Johnson City including the Courthouse Square and the Pedernales Electric Company's display a few blocks away. You may want a small flashlight for this hike.

So, bring sturdy hiking shoes, a trail snack/lunch, $$ for dinner, a small flashlight for the night hike, and a little small town Christmas spirit.

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Participants must sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
Park Map
Trail Map