What we’re about
Austin Sierra Club (local branch of the Sierra Club) holds outings for outdoor activities: hiking, camping, biking, backpacking, kayaking, community service projects, and more. These include local one-day events to greenbelts and natural areas, weekend trips to state parks, as well as longer trips to national parks.
All participants must sign our Sign-In Sheet with Participation Agreement before joining one of our outings. You are strongly urged to add your cell phone and emergency contact numbers on the sheet, for your safety. More information is needed for overnight trips.
Many of our events are rated Easy and everyone is invited to particiate, but others have fitness and experience requirements. Smoking and vaping is not allowed on our events. Check with the Leader to see if pets are allowed.
Although it's not necessary to participate in our events, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (in addition to the Meetup group), and support our efforts to protect the environment.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Sierra Club monthly meeting: Affordable HousingEl Mercado- South Side , Austin, TX
Meetings are now LIVE on Wednesdays.
Join us at our monthly general meeting for socializing, networking, and info on current events. This month's speaker is Jake Wegmann, Ph.D, UT School of Architecture, on the topic of Affordable Housing in Austin.
Jake Wegmann has taught and conducted research in the Community and Regional Planning program at UT Austin’s School of Architecture since 2014. His research primarily focuses on housing affordability and its intersections with land use regulation and real estate development.
Jake received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in City and Regional Planning. He holds a BA in Computer Science from Dartmouth and an MS from the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He also holds an MCP/MSRED, Department of Urban Studies and Planning and Center for Real Estate, MIT.
Prior to entering academia, Jake worked in for-profit and nonprofit affordable housing development in Denver and San Francisco. He lives with his wife and daughter in Austin, and enjoys bike riding, hiking, and camping.
Arrive as early as 6pm at El Mercado (1302 S 1st St) to purchase food and drink. Club updates and program starts at 7pm.
For those who would like to get involved but can't make this meeting, check us out online: https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin
- Barton Creek Hike (Brisk paced)Mopac Mobility Bike and Pedestrian Bridge, Austin, TX
*We’ll hike at a BRISK pace. We’ll cover roughly 7-8 miles. We’ll hike the greenbelt hills, cover rocky terrain, and STRENUOUS climbing sections. We’ll follow some less-used greenbelt trails taking us to and beyond many of the wonders and treasures of Barton Creek.
*Be prepared to keep up! The hike will be challenging but doable; mysterious yet approachable. This hike is geared towards a small group of fun people who really like hiking. This is for experienced hikers who already have good conditioning, balance, who enjoy trails with rocky, uneven terrain. No pets allowed.
*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 - Canyon Creek HikeTrailhead Park, Austin, TX
Let's do a 3.5 mile hike in NW Austin at a brisk pace on rugged terrain. We may find one of the largest Oak trees in Travis County. This trail is rocky and has several hill climbs equivalent to 10 flights of stairs each. No pets please.
Meet at the pavillion at the Canyon Creek Trailhead Park off Hwy 620 and Boulder Ln at 10984 Boulder Lane as described below:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Canyon+Creek+Trailhead+Park,+Austin,+TX&hl=en&sll=30.438277,-97.8157&sspn=0.013043,0.026157&oq=canyon+creek+,+TX&hq=Canyon+Creek+Trailhead+Park,+Austin,+TX&t=m&z=17
Bring water and hiking boots. Hats are recommended.Afterwards, we can get a bite to eat at a nearby cafe such as torchys tacos.
COVID-19 safety measures
Event will be outdoor
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed. - Backpack at Big Bend Ranch (Challenging, Beginner Friendly)Big Bend Ranch State Park (east entrance), Terlingua, TX
*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP*** See instructions below.
Join us the week of Thanksgiving for a Beginner-To-Intermediate backpacking trip at Big Bend Ranch State Park.
- We will cover the Rancherias Loop, 23 miles in 3 days
- It is rated as challenging and has about 3,000 feet elevation gain
- They call it a loop, but it is a horseshoe with east and west trailheads, that are 3.5 miles apart. We will park vehicles at both trailheads to save us a road walk.
- If you are an experienced hiker that knows how to use a navigation app we could double the group size from 5 people to 10 people.TENTATIVE ITINERARY:
(Fri, Nov 22 - Bill Johns, trip leader, will travel one day early to obtain the permits for the group at Big Bend Ranch State Park)
Sat, Nov 23 -
- Trip participants drive to, and meet at, a campground near Big Bend Ranch State Park
- StargazingSun, Nov 24 –
- Break camp, fill up on water, and drive to Rancherias Loop East Trailhead (coordinates: 29.3220400, -104.0061290)
- Hike about 8 miles, water source along way
- Highlights: Casa Reza, Panther Springs, old ranch house, narrow canyon, several vistas
- StargazingMon, Nov 25 -
- Hike about 7 miles, water source along way
- Highlights: Diverse eco-systems and a couple of vistas into Mexico
- StargazingTue, Nov 26 -
- If possible, hike out to cars this day, about 7 miles, or spend one more night backcountry, depending on group capacity
- Highlights: Mesa that is looking into Mexico
- Finish at Rancherias Loop West Trailhead, use pre-positioned vehicle(s) to shuttle participants to their cars
- Probably car camp overnight at nearby campground
- StargazingWed, Nov 27 – (Day before Thanksgiving)
- Drive from Big Bend Ranch State Park back home OR continue on the Big Bend Camping and Hiking TripNOTES:
- The trail is minimally marked, largely using rock cairns, so navigation app can be useful
- Trail surface includes sand, rocks, dirt service road, and well-groomed trails, and at least one steep descent with loose footing.
- There are two reliable water sources on the trail that are nicely spaced.
- Desert plants have sharp spines, long pants and long-sleeved shirts are recommended.REQUIREMENTS - Participants should:
- See "How To Sign Up" below.
- Have experience hiking six to ten miles per day, carrying about 25 – 45 lb packs, including ascending hills with 800 feet elevation gain.
- Bring own backpacking equipment & food; prepare for cold, hot, and wet weather. If you need gear, we will see what we can do.
- Pack as light as possible. Recommended base weight, before food, water and fuel, is 16 pounds.
- Participants are responsible for their own transportation, and are encouraged to coordinate with each other for carpooling. (Details not arranged by Sierra Club.)
- Participate in the Pre-Trip Warmup Hike in early November. Everyone will be expected to bring and carry the gear that they plan to use for the trip.
- Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
- Reimburse the trip leader, Bill Johns for any park fees, permits, and/or camping costsHOW TO SIGN UP:
1. RSVP on Meetup to get on the Waitlist
2. Email the following info to Bill Johns, [email protected]: Your name, phone number, email, and a few sentences about your experience, and why you'd like to go on this trip. You will not be accepted for the trip if you do not provide contact information.
3. Wait for discussion with Trip Leader.
4. Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021. Scan and email the form also to [email protected] (preferred), or post mailing address can be provided.
5. Wait for final approval from Trip Leader, 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.
