April 2019
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.
 So read on and enjoy!
A SPECIAL REQUEST FROM OUTINGS
Your Outings Committee encourages all members who attend the club’s various outings to please join meetup.com and sign up for your outings on the CAC meetup site (http://meetup.com/CAC-outings/members). By signing up on the meetup.com site, the leader can better plan his or her event. More importantly, should a last-minute change be necessary, the leader can easily notify all members of any changes in the schedule, weather expectations, the routes, road closures en route to the outings, etc. If you wish to carpool to the event, you can easily find out who else is going so that you can organize your transportation. Remember, it is not the trip leader's responsibility to ensure you have a ride! You must be a member to access this site. To join meetup.com, go to http://meetup.com/CAC-Outings. Request to join the group and your request will be sent to Ernie Castiaux, who will verify your membership and accept you into the group. Your Outings Committee appreciates your helping us to simplify communications by using this site! 
REPORT FROM THE TRAIL
Saturday Sortie: Mt. Tam Circumambulation
On March 23, the 2nd Annual Mt. Tam Circumambulation hike, hosted by John Newman and Rani Devadasan, was a lovely "saunter" for 15 intrepid Alpine Club members and friends. Sunny skies, gushing streams, and the first flush of spring wildflowers welcomed the group as we walked about 10 miles from the Mountain Play Theater to Rifle Camp, Inspiration Point, up to East Peak, then back through West Point Inn, generally keeping the mountain on our right, according to Zen and Tibetan practices. We did a variety of readings from poet Gary Snyder, artist Tom Killion, and Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh. Afterwards, we regrouped at Alpine Lodge for potluck refreshments. A wonderful, mindful day!
By John Newman
Saturday Sortie: Mt. Burdell
On March 30, Valerie Hogan and John Mullen led our largest group ever of Saturday Sortie hikers on a magnificent exploration of Mt. Burdell in Novato. The winter rains gave us a break and 27 sun-starved CAC hikers and 2 CAC canines were treated to perfect weather, emerald hillsides, colorful wildflowers and views that went on forever. Meandering trails led past the acorn tree where hundreds of acorns have been placed within the bark of a valley oak and up to the summit where we enjoyed lunch, camaraderie and views in all directions.
Saturday Sortie: Vasco Caves
On April 13, 19 CAC members and friends gathered at a staging point near Brentwood for a fascinating guided tour of the Vasco Caves. This tour was open to the public but space was limited. As it turned out, CAC members signed up early and made this a CAC exclusive outing. Once again, the weather cooperated and we were treated to hills of a green so intense we could not stop commenting on it. We saw Native American petroglyphs, vernal pools that provide habitat for endangered shrimp and tiger salamanders, and of course, the fascinating caves carved by wind and rain. It was a beautiful day!
Upcoming Outings
A note from your Outings Committee:
Many of our adventures fill almost as soon as we publicize the event. So first, thank you for your enthusiastic response to our outings! If the trip you want to attend is already full, we encourage you to send your deposit and join the wait list. Cancellations do occur and we frequently are able to confirm most if not all members on the wait list. Better yet, if you want to be assured of a space on an outing, volunteer to help organize it. We are always looking for volunteers to help us put together new and exciting opportunities to explore the great outdoors.
Head Lightkeeper's House
Ernie Castiaux at Russian Gulch State Park
Point Cabrillo Lightkeeper's House Rental
May 17-20
All rooms in the two lightkeepers' homes and cottages have been reserved. 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 join the waitlist, 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.  
Muir Beach VFD Hike & BBQ
May 26
A special outing is being planned to combine a hike and fun event in support of the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department. We will start at Muir Beach parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and hike a loop trail in the Marin headlands to Santos Meadow where the MBVFD will be having their annual BBQ.  There will be live music, food, dancing, drinks and more. With the walk back to the cars, the total hike for the day will be 6 miles. More information will be on our CAC Outings Meetup site: http://www.meetup.com/CAC-Outings/members.
Channel Islands
June 2-5
Our inaugural 3-island journey to the Channel Islands aboard a chartered live-aboard boat is full. Information to join the waitlist is found below. We'll board Sunday night and motor to the first of three islands, where we'll hike the following day with a naturalist guide and picnic on the island. Other options include kayaking along the shore, snorkeling, scuba diving or just relaxing on board and enjoying the view. The cost of $575 includes 3 nights aboard ship, all meals aboard and on the islands, guided hikes on San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands and assistance by the crew. Kayak, snorkel and dive equipment are available to rent by the day. The cost does not include gratuities for the crew. To join the waitlist, send a $200/ person deposit to Renee Hamilton at 1 McIntosh Court, Novato 94949 (PayPal also accepted). We will not deposit your waitlist check until you are confirmed on the trip. For more information, contact Renee at rdmhamilton@gmail.com or 415-686-3966. To learn more about our operator, Truth Aquatics, go to https://truthaquatics.net.
American River Rafting & Echo Lodge
June 8 - 12
Join Ernie Castiauxon the South Fork of the American River for a great day of rafting class II and II rapids with our friends at Peak Adventures. The cost is $95 and includes all rafting equipment and an experienced river guide. The minimum age is 9. This day outing coincides with a long weekend at Echo Lodge (only an hour away) hosted by Camille Smith-Ballon, June 8-12. School is out and this will be a perfect trip for teens and all who revel in the carefree days of summer. Splash, laugh and swim on the American River, then head up to Echo to continue the adventure. To sign up for the raft trip, please send $95 to Ernie Castiaux, 5747 Shadow Ridge Drive, Castro Valley, CA 4552.  Paypal is also accepted (ecastiaux@hotmail.com). Normal reservation procedure and rates apply for the stay at Echo Lodge. 
Slide Ranch
June 29
Join Arlin Weinberger and Renee Hamilton for a special hike and tour of Slide Ranch, one of the many beneficiaries of your generosity when you donate to the California Alpine Club Foundation. Every year, Slide Ranch provides field trips and overnight camps to over one hundred schools and community groups from around the Bay Area. The CACF donates funds for scholarships so that low-income students can attend these programs. Our 5-mile hike starts at the Muir Beach parking lot and will provide vistas of the ocean and spring wildflowers. Please allow enough travel time to the starting point. The hike will start at 9:15 am sharp and we do not want to miss you. More information can be found on Meetup.com (meetup.com/CAC-Outings).
Kidd Lake Car Camping
July 12-14
Dogs welcome! Last year's Kidd Lake dog-friendly camping trip was so successful, we've decided to do it again! Kidd Lake offers an expansive group campsite with plenty of space, nearby lakes that are refreshing but warm enough for swimming, and wilderness trails where our pooches can accompany hikers off-leash. Of course, non-dog owners are welcome too. The cost of $75 includes the campsite and all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. All dogs must be well-behaved with other dogs and up-to-date on all shots. To reserve your place, please send full payment of $75 to: Renee Hamilton, 1 McIntosh Court, Novato, CA 94949. Payment is also accepted via PayPal. For more information, contact Renee at 415-686-3966 or rdmhamilton@gmail.com.
Piute Lake
Piute Lake Mule Pack
August 11-16 and August 18-23
Both departures of the mule-pack trip to Piute Lake are full. Mary Larkin-Berlinksi will co-host the first trip with Renee Hamilton, August 11-16. Mary and Stefan Berlinski will co-host the second mule-pack trip to Piute Lake, Aug 18-23. The cost of each trip 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. To join the waitlist for either departure, contact Mary at 831-345-6963 or mlarkin804@sbcglobal.net.
Willamette Water Trail Canoe Trip
September 7-14
There are five spaces left on the six-day, 85-mile canoe adventure along Oregon's Willamette Water Trail. Our route takes us through urban and native habitats, and we will enjoy beer and wine tasting along the way. We meet Saturday, 9/7 at the Best Western in Eugene, OR and depart the following morning for the put-in at Armitage County Park on the McKenzie River. After 5 nights along the river, haul out at Wallace Marine Park on Friday, 9/13 and shuttle back for one more night at the Best Western in Eugene. The cost of $400/person includes meals from Sunday lunch through Friday lunch, canoe rentals, river fees, shuttle fees and two nights hotel accommodations (shared occupancy). Cost does not include transportation to Oregon, Saturday or Friday dinners. To sign up, send a $100 deposit to Mary Larkin-Berlinski, PO Box 776, Moss Landing, CA 95039. For information, contact Mary at mlarkin804@sbcglobal.net or 831-345-6963.
Saturday Sorties
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. Our goal is to bring the warmth and camaraderie we experience during hikes on Mount Tam to all our members, wherever they live, and create more opportunities for all to enjoy Nature’s bounty throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
Deer Park Redux
Saturday, May 11, 2019
With the rain cancellation of our Ground Hog Day hike in Deer Park with Madeleine Pearce, we have chosen a new date that is sure to be beautiful. We will hike approximately 8.5 miles through meadows and wooded areas and enjoy beautiful views. After lunch, we will walk around Phoenix Lake before looping back to the Deer Park trail head. The hike will begin at 9:30 a.m. From Fairfax take Bolinas Road, left on Porteous Avenue to the Deer Park trail head parking area at the end of the road. Dogs are welcome on this hike. More information is on the CAC Outings meetup site: https://www.meetup.com/CAC-Outings/members
San Francisco Urban Walk
Saturday, June 22
Ruth Tretbar will lead a Saturday exploration of the hills and byways of San Fransisco. This urban hike is in development and a more detailed route and information will be included in the Outings Bulletin that will be sent on May 15.
Cancellation Policy: Unless otherwise noted in the trip description,
all outing deposits and final payments become non-refundable
two weeks prior to the trip’s departure.
And just a reminder: Amazon Smile
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.
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).