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Trip Number: 10103A
Price: $725
Deposit: $100
Capacity: 14
Staff: Donald McBride
Rating: L
Highlights:
- Learn to backpack with other like-minded beginners
- Explore the Sierra Nevada in all its glory
- Split your nights between a cozy lodge and camping
Includes:
- Accommodations at the rustic Clair Tappaan Lodge
- All meals and group cooking gear
- Instruction in backpacking basics
The Trip
Photo: Linda Conklin
If you're a strong day hiker who wants to try backpacking for the first time,
this is the trip for you. Our trip is based at Clair Tappaan
Lodge, the Sierra Club's own mountain home on a forested hillside near Donner
Pass, roughly 35 miles from Lake Tahoe. We plan to spend the first two nights
at the lodge. Those days will be filled with backpacking tips on a variety of
subjects, including: how to load your pack and adjust it for comfort, wilderness
safety, meal preparation, along with "shake-down" day hikes wearing
loaded backpacks. This will also give you an opportunity to adjust to the altitude.
On the third day, we'll distribute group food and supplies and depart on a
one-night backpack trip to a nearby lake, returning the following afternoon
to the lodge, where we will stay the night. We will hike through pine forests,
verdant meadows, open granite basins, and take in views of mountain peaks and
lake-filled valleys. The pristine lakes are cold but "swimmable" --
particularly after a day's hike with a loaded backpack.
On the fifth day, we'll head out with backpacks again -- this time for two
nights. We'll stay at a glaciated lake and spend a layover day, which may include
swimming, day hiking to a nearby lake, compass skills, swimming, or just relaxing.
We will return to the lodge on the afternoon of the last day of the trip.
Itinerary
All activities are subject to change depending on a variety of factors including
trail conditions, permits and weather. Here's our tentative schedule.
Day 1: We'll meet at Clair Tappaan Lodge (CTL) at 4:00 p.m. for
orientation, then spend the night at CTL.
Day 2: Today, we'll drive to a nearby trailhead after a visit to a local
museum to learn about the history of the area. We'll dayhike to a glacier-formed
granite lake for lunch, where we'll have an opportunity to practice setting
up tents. Tonight, we'll spend the night at CTL.
Day 3: Again, we'll drive to a nearby trailhead -- this time, backpacking 5.5
miles over a pass to another glorious lake, where we will spend the night.
Day 4: After breakfast, we'll depart camp, hiking
back to the pass
for lunch. From there, we'll have an optional day hike up a peak.
Afterward, we'll return to CTL in time for dinner, then spend the night
there.
Day 5: After breakfast, we'll drive to a trailhead and backpack
3.5 miles to another beautiful lake, where we will spend two nights and experience
a layover day.
Day 6: Today is our layover day. Options include a day hike, swimming,
fishing, reading, or just relaxing. We'll also have a class on introductory
map and compass skills.
Day 7: After breakfast, break camp and backpack back to the
trailhead. Lunch will be on the trail on the way back. We'll return to CTL around 3 p.m., where we'll have the opportunity
to shower before heading home.
Getting There
The lodge is located at an elevation of 7,000 feet in California's Sierra Nevada.
It's 48 miles west of Reno, Nevada and about 12 miles west of Truckee, California.
Participants flying into Reno/Tahoe airport should rent a car or make arrangements
to carpool with other trip participants.
Due to insurance regulations, all transportation to the lodge, trailheads, or
other activities is the responsibility of each trip member. Leaders are unable
to arrange carpools for participants. If you wish to carpool, a roster of other
trip members will be provided before the trip. You will need to share cars to
get to the trailheads, which are less than 10 miles from the lodge.
Accommodations and Food
Though not a luxury lodge, Clair Tappaan has a spacious living room, an enormous
fireplace, a cozy library, and a large communal dining room. Wholesome family-style
breakfasts and dinners are prepared each day by professional cooks. Before breakfast,
trip participants will pack their own lunches to take on the day's adventure.
There are vegetarian options for all meals. Please discuss any dietary restrictions
with the leader before signing up for this trip.
Sleeping accommodations are bunk beds with mattresses and pillows. That's
all. Guests must bring their own sleeping bags or bedding, towels, and toiletries.
Rooms vary from very small two-person cubicles, to family rooms that can accommodate
five to twelve people, to the larger men's and women's dorms. There are
two men's and two women's bathrooms, as well as a hot tub. The staff at the
lodge assigns rooms --you can contact them at (800) 679-6775 with questions.
See also https://donsnotes.com/ctl/index.html#rooms.
All luggage has to be carried or pulled by cart from the unloading zone to
the front door of the lodge. We recommend that you travel lightly and use your
backpack and/or a carry-on bag, rather than a suitcase.
A small, friendly staff cares for the lodge. In keeping with the cooperative
spirit of the lodge, each guest pitches in by doing a simple chore that requires,
at most, about a half-hour each day.
On the backpacking portion, lodging will be in your tent! Our meals will be
prepared and cleaned up by a rotating cook crew of trip members. All food, snacks,
and cooking equipment are provided. Everyone will carry a portion of the food
and cooking equipment (known as the commissary). Meals will include breakfast,
lunch, dinner, and dessert. The food will be vegetarian friendly. While backpacking,
water will be obtained from lakes and streams, then treated.
Trip Difficulty
This trip is rated light (L). Keep in mind that the ratings of light, moderate,
and strenuous are relative, and that by its nature, backpacking is a strenuous
sport. You will be carrying a pack weighing 30-35 pounds (maximum of 20-25 pounds
of personal gear, plus shared commissary of approximately 5-10 pounds). We will
be hiking at altitudes of 7,000-8,000 feet, which will greatly affect your cardiovascular
ability if you live at lower altitudes. To get an idea of what backpacking is
like, fill a good-sized day pack with four one-gallon jugs of water, and walk
up and down the bleachers at your local track.
To qualify for this trip, you should be in good physical condition, with a
regular program of weight-bearing and aerobic exercise. Persons between the
ages of 15 and 18 years of age may join if accompanied by a parent or responsible
adult.
Each applicant will be sent application forms, and must fill these out and
promptly send them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials
and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner. Please wait for approval
from the leader before making any transportation reservations.
Equipment and Clothing
For packing purposes, it might be best to think of this as two trips combined
into one: the lodge portion and the backpacking portion. While backpacking,
there will be a place at the lodge to store your lodge clothing and gear.
You will need to bring your own bedding and towels for the lodge. Because
you will need a sleeping bag for the backpacking portion of the trip, this is
your best option for the lodge as well. A detailed equipment list will be sent
to you once you are accepted on the trip, but you should be aware that you will
need a backpack, and we recommend sharing a tent to help decrease overall weight.
We strongly recommend that you consider borrowing or renting a backpacking
tent and a backpack (make sure it fits) instead of purchasing these items. If
you do not have a tent, notify the leader, as other participants on the trip
may be willing to share. On the trip, you will have an opportunity to learn about
different types of equipment, and see what others are using, which will assist
you in making a decision as to what equipment will best fit your personal needs.
Above-the-ankle hiking boots are required. You should purchase and break in
hiking boots well before the beginning of the trip.
The Sierra Club will provide all cooking equipment and food. You will only
need to bring eating utensils, a mug, and a bowl/plate for the backpacking portion
of the trip.
Prepare to dress in layers. Average temperatures will vary from lows around 30-40 degrees, to highs around
70-80 degrees. There may be an occasional afternoon thundershower.
References
Maps:
USGS Norden CA and Soda Springs, CA
Books:
-
Curtis, Rick, The Backpacker's Field Manual
- Sorer, Tracy I., Sierra Nevada Natural History
- Blackwell, Laird R., Wildflowers of the Tahoe Sierra
- Powell, Margie, Donner Summit, A Brief History
Websites:
Conservation
Your volunteer trip leaders are dedicated to the Sierra Club, conservation
and enjoyment of the outdoors. Our wish is that you will become strong believers
in the need to protect our wild areas. We'll be practicing Leave No Trace
wilderness principles throughout the trip in order to minimize our impact on
the environment.
The Donner Pass area is very popular, for retirees and for winter and summer
recreational users. As more and more people move to and recreate there, they
contribute to a growing environmental problem. Logging practices have also threatened
the ecosystem over many acres of the Sierra. While on the trip, please don't
hesitate to ask your leaders about any conservation concerns that you may have.
We look forward to having you share conservation challenges and successes from
your home.
Since any traveling leaves a carbon footprint, check out the information that
the Sierra Club offers about carbon offsets at: www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/offsets/Carbon_neutral
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the
trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up
for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing
approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form,
Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the
waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip
leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of
your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Don McBride has been a Sierra Club member for 35 years. A retired
telecom computer specialist, he has got back to hiking in the last six
years. He has participated in Sierra Club outings from the Sierra Nevada
to the Appalachian mountains to Tibet. He worked at Lake Tahoe renting
kayaks, serving burgers, and lifeguarding while in college. He has lead
hikes from Sequoia Natl. Forest to the Catskills and around Donner
Summit for the last five years. He is also a local Sierra Club group
leader in New Jersey.
E-mail: dtmcbride@alumni.haas.org
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips