Welcome to the California Alpine Club's Outings e-bulletin. Look here for details about upcoming outings and our monthly Saturday Sorties to trails of interest throughout the Bay Area. We'll also tell you about new trips in the planning stages and other Outings-related news. So read on and enjoy! |
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Upper Missouri River Canoe Trip: Sep. 17-22 |
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Sixteen adventurous Alpiners enjoyed 5 days of canoe paddling on the Upper Missouri River in Montana. At least 3 of the adventurers had never been in a canoe before. Group leaders Mary Larkin-Berlinskiand Stu Sparling happily report not a single capsize in the 88 mile float. The white cliffs scenery was outstanding, weather generally good except for rain two nights and the meals, prepared lovingly by Mary were excellent. The Bureau of Land Management provided us with first class toilets each night and gatherings around the campfire were memorable. We only saw one other group of boaters in the five days.
Bob Hanson
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Van Damme State Park: Oct. 5-7 |
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Perfect weather, sunny and warm, greeted fourteen Alpiners at Van Damme State Park near Mendocino. Member Cindi Whitehead helped reserve three spacious and wooded campsites, and Ernie Castiaux led enthusiastic hikers on forest and beach hikes Saturday and Sunday. Among the photos below, Ernie found a fan of Renee Hamilton's chili, and Cindi showed us her California Alpine SWAG that she had made. Great idea!
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Monarch Butterfly Day Trip
December 2, 2018
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Join Renée Hamilton for a day trip to Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz during the peak season of the Monarch Butterflies. The day begins with a docent-led tour at 11:00 a.m. to learn about the life cycle of these amazing and beautiful insects. After a potluck picnic lunch, continue to the nearby tide pools that promise to be teaming with life around the 1:04 p.m. low tide. The docent tour is free of charge, but there is a $10 parking fee at the State Park. If you would like to join this outing, please notify Renée Hamilton at 415-686-3966, or rdmhamilton@gmail.com
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Christmas in the Monterey Adobes
December 8 - 9, 2018
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The weekend in Monterey is now full and registrations have closed. Tickets to visit the adobes are being purchased and deposits will be non-refundable as of October 19 unless your space can be filled. To join the waitlist, please send a deposit of $50 to Rani Devadasan, 1225 Denlyn St., Novato CA 94947. Your $50 deposit will cover the Adobes tour ticket, happy hour on the 8th and a sack lunch on the 9th for a beautiful hike at Point Lobos State Reserve. A group motel rate has been secured and you will be provided information so you can make reservations individually
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Here's what we have in the works in 2019.... |
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Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Nevada City - January 18-20, 2019
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Join Mary Cahill for a very special weekend in Nevada City during the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Experience the adrenaline of adventure films from around the world and learn how individuals and communities are taking action. The Wild and Scenic Film Festival will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to make a difference in your community and your world. We have blocked 5 rooms at the Grass Valley Courtyard Suites at a special rate of $140 plus tax that includes breakfast and an evening reception. Mary and friends will organize a series of hikes and walks to add to your experience during this wonderful weekend. For more information, contact Mary Cahill at 530-798-9601 or a_childs_view@yahoo.com. Learn more about the film festival and secure tickets at: www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org.
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Death Valley
March 27 - 31, 2019
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Join Mary Larkin-Berlinski for four nights of car camping and exploring the mystifying and eerily beautiful landscapes of Death Valley. There will be daily hikes and sightseeing, with breakfast and dinner in camp and packed lunches each day. The cost is $100/person, which includes meals and campsite. Vehicle entry fee to the park is $20-30/vehicle. There is an optional Tecopa Hot Springs Resort add-on Sunday night with approximate cost of $75-$100/person. To reserve your space for the first four nights, please send a $50 deposit to Mary Larkin Berlinski, PO Box 776, Moss Landing, CA 95039. For further information, contact Mary at: mlarkin804@sbcglobal.net or 831-345-6963
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Ernie Castiaux at Russian Gulch State Park |
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Point Cabrillo Lightkeeper's House Rental
May 17-20, 2019
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All rooms in the two lightkeepers' homes have been reserved. Until January 1, preference for the two accessible cottages will be given to any CAC members who would benefit from accommodations without stairs. After January 1, the cottages will be given to the first members on the waitlist. The cost for lodging is $120/night/room (queen bed) and all three nights must be booked. Meals (3B/3L/2D plus happy hour snacks) are included at $50/person. To reserve a cottage or to join the waitlist in the main homes, please send a deposit of $150 to Renee Hamilton, 1 McIntosh Court, Novato, CA 94949. Waitlist fees will not be deposited until you are confirmed on the trip. Deposits, less a $15 cancellation fee, are refundable until April 1, 2019. Final payment is due April 1, 2019 and is non-refundable unless your place can be filled. PayPal (rdmhamilton@gmail.com) is also accepted for payment. For further information, contact Renee at 415-686-3966, or rdmhamilton@gmail.com.
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Piute Lake Mule Pack
August 18-23
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The mule-pack trip to Piute Lake with Mary Larkin-Berlnski is full. If you would like to join the waitlist, please contact Mary Larkin-Berlinski at mlarkin804@sbcglobal.net or 831-345-6963. The cost is estimated to be $400, which includes the wilderness permit, mule outfitters to carry our gear out and back, and all meals including Sunday night prior to meeting the outfitters Monday morning. Group size is limited to 15. For more information, contact Mary at mlarkin804@sbcglobal.net or 831-345-6963.
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Willamette River Canoe Trip
September 8-13
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Get ready to soak up the beauty of the Willamette River Water Trail on a four-day canoe trip through forests, meadows and parks. This trip is in the very early stages of development, but is estimated to cost $225/person not including transportation to Oregon or lodging before/after the canoe portion. Save the date and stay tuned for details. |
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In recognition of the far-flung nature of our membership as well as the beauty that the entire Bay Area has to offer, the Outings Committee has launched Saturday Sorties. On the second Saturday each month, we’ll enjoy a day outing to locations primarily outside of Marin. Our goal is to bring the warmth and camaraderie we experience with the California Alpine Club to all our members, wherever they live, and create more opportunities for all to enjoy Nature’s bounty throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
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Vistas and Elk of Tomales Bay
Saturday, October 27, 2018
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Join Ellen Burkhart and David Levin on the Tomales Bay Trail, at the northern tip of Point Reyes National Seashore. Our route will afford us incredible views of the ocean before descending to a small valley where the Tule elk can be found. (There are over 440 elk spread out on 2600 acres, considered one of the largest elk populations in California.) We will hike 9.6 miles round trip with 1250 feet elevation gain. An Outings e-flyer will be sent later this week with more information. Also, please go to the CAC Outings Meetup site to learn more and sign up: http://www.meetup.com/CAC-Outings
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The Presidio of San Francisco
Saturday, November 17, 2018
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Join Ernie Castiaux on a hike through the Presidio of San Francisco.
In an 8-mile loop through forests and Pacific overlooks, we will immerse ourselves in the 200+ year history of this historic military facility. Trail highlights include the overlook at Immigrant Point, the National Cemetery, Crissy Field, and views of the Bay, Pacific Ocean, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The hike will begin at 9:30 am at the Presidio Visitor Center located at 210 Lincoln Blvd. See the CAC Meetup site for more details and to sign up. Meetup.com/CAC-outings.
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And just a reminder: Amazon Smile |
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The California Alpine Club Foundation is now a registered charity with Amazon Smile. When you shop through Amazon Smile, you have access to all the same Amazon products at no extra cost, but .5% of your purchase will be donated to the Foundation. To sign up with Amazon Smile, copy this link and paste it into the search bar: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/30-0263904. You will be automatically asked if you wish to support the CAC Foundation. It's a wonderful way to grow our foundation's good work of promoting conservation and environmental education in the Bay Area and Tahoe region.
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What’s on your bucket list?
Your CAC Outings Committee is eager to expand and enhance your opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. But we need your help! Is there an activity you would like us to offer? A destination that you've always wanted to explore? Please tell us! Send your ideas and/or wish list to Renee Hamilton at rdmhamilton@gmail.com (415.686.3966) or Ernie Castiaux at ecastiaux@hotmail.com (510.909.3301).
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