To register for an outing, you will need to give your contact information and sign a participant waiver completion online in advance of every outing.

April 2023

Throughout April: City of Albuquerque Open Space Cleanups. Come join us to pick up trash and celebrate our amazing open spaces. Registrations will be taken at the link provided for each event. Choose a date that works for you and join us and the City of Albuquerque to clean-up one of your favorite outdoor spaces. Choose from one of the five dates and locations and register. If your first choice is full, choose another location and date. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the location of your choice and sign-in with the City of Albuquerque representative.
Check dates and availability on the City of Albuquerque volunteer website.

Saturday, April 1: April hike with Santa Fe Youth Shelters. 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. The New Mexico ICO (Inspiring Connections to Outdoors) program will be hiking Santa Fe Youth Shelters at Cerrillos Hill State Park. We’re meeting at 8:45 and leaving at 9:00 a.m., and we should be back no later than 3:00 p.m. Those interested should contact trip leader.  There are simple volunteer forms to complete.
Leader: Raymond Greenwell, 516-312-5751, raymond.n.greenwell@hofstra.edu
Level: Easy
Location: Cerrillos Hills State Park
Sign up: raymond.n.greenwell@hofstra.edu

Saturday, April 1: No Fooling Bike Commuting. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Meet at Winrock parking lot at 9:45 a.m. This 8 mile course over 224 feet elevation gain will pass by city parks and destinations between Uptown and Nob Hill. Previous experience riding in mixed traffic is recommended. This ride is appropriate for children over the age of 16 when accompanied by parent or legal guardian. A road-suitable bike and helmet are required. Tire sealant and bike lock are strongly recommended. No direct cost, money for purchases at restaurants and shops is recommended. Maximum 10 participants. No dogs are allowed.
Leader: Patrick Burton
Level: Moderate
Location: Albuquerque Uptown-Midtown
Register for this event March 29

Saturday, April 1: Earth Month Open Space Cleanup-Copper Avenue Trailhead. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come join us to pick up trash and celebrate our amazing open spaces. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the location of your choice and sign-in with the City of Albuquerque representative. We will team up for about three-four hours to clean-up the surrounding area. Come for all of it or part of it. Bring water, sunscreen, gloves, hat, a snack, a trash bag or bucket, and wear closed-toed shoes. This is a great activity for families with children. Children 18 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you love our open spaces, I hope you’ll join us!
Leaders: Jessica O’Callahan and Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event
Register with the City of Albuquerque

Saturday, April 8: Earth Month Open Space Cleanup-Embudo Canyon. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come join us to pickup trash and celebrate our amazing open spaces. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the location of your choice and sign-in with the City of Albuquerque representative. We will team up for about three-four hours to clean-up the surrounding area. Come for all of it or part of it. Bring water, sunscreen, gloves, hat, a snack, a trash bag or bucket, and wear closed-toed shoes. This is a great activity for families with children. Children 18 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you love our open spaces, I hope you’ll join us!
Leaders: Jessica O’Callahan and Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event
Register with the City of Albuquerque

Thursday, April 13: Zero Waste Tour of BARCO Recycling Center. 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Zero Waste Tour of BARCO Recycling Center (formerly Friedmans). Come see how all of our blue bin recycling is sorted. Find out how much is actually recycled and get answers to other recycling questions. Vests, helmets, eye protection and ear plugs will be provided. Must be able to climb stairs and not be bothered by a very noisy environment. Masks are optional. Register early as space is limited to 10 adults. If you need to cancel after registering please contact trip leader ASAP to allow anyone on the waiting list to register. Meet in parking lot at 12:45 p.m. at 5021 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque.
Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event by April 10

Saturday, April 15: Earth Month Open Space Cleanup-Menaul Picnic Area. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come join us to pick up trash and celebrate our amazing open spaces. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the location of your choice and sign-in with the City of Albuquerque representative. We’ll team up for about three-four hours to clean-up the surrounding area. Come for all of it or part of it. Bring water, sunscreen, gloves, hat, a snack, a trash bag or bucket, and wear closed-toed shoes. This is a great activity for families with children. Children 18 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you love our open spaces, I hope you’ll join us!
Leaders: Jessica O’Callahan and Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event
Register with the City of Albuquerque 

Sunday, April 16: Tunnel Springs Loop Hike. 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Tunnel Springs Loop is on the Placitas side of the Sandias and is enjoyable enough to keep repeating. There are beautiful views on this trail of the Sandias, the volcanos and other surrounding mountains. The surface of the trail seems to stay decent most of the year. The trail up goes by an abandoned mine. This is a loop trail with 1,165 feet elevation gain, approx. 4.5 miles long total. This will take approximately 3-1/2 hours (allowing time for stops and snacks). All Trails considers this a moderately challenging route. Microspikes and poles should be brought in case of need. We will stop several times on the way up as it is a steep up. On the way down, planning to stop 2 times as it’s pretty gentle. There will be a snack-lunch break at the top where there is an old wall to sit on. Meeting at the trailhead at 98 Tunnel Springs Road in Placitas.
Leader: Debbie Bryant
Level: Moderate
Location: Placitas, NM |  Trail link
Register for this event

Sunday, April 16: Migrating Birds Along Animas River in Farmington. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 3+ miles round trip. Expect to see ducks, geese, herons, woodpeckers, probably raptors and hummingbirds, friendly chickadees, noisy corvids, and colorful warblers, as well as some of the usual suspects. Always a surprising bird. Along these riparian, urban habitats well also visit the Model Xeriscape Garden, and the All-Veterans Memorial Plaza. Eighteen years-old and up only. No dogs please.
Leaders: Mike Foster and Hart Pierce
Level: Easy
Location: Riverside Nature Center, Farmington | Website
Register for this event by April 9

Tuesday, April 18: Sand Canyon-Trail of the Ancients Hike 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Military Outdoors Program, Open to all! Sand Canyon trailhead is located 15 miles west of Cortez, CO on McElmo Creek Road (CR G). This loop hike will be over sections of the Sand Canyon and Rock Creek trails with connectors. Trailhead elevation is 5,400 feet. This 3–4-hour, 5-mile hike will travel over a rocky, sandy, sometimes packed, sometimes slick, rock trail through pinyon-juniper ecosystem with an elevation gain of 400 feet. Trail passes several Ancestral Puebloan Ruins, many of which are accessible and interactive. Sand Canyon is surrounded by red rock and Navajo sandstone mesas and plateaus with diverse geological features. McElmo Creek Road winds through picturesque McElmo Canyon dotted with vineyards and farms. Participants should be able to walk a mile in 25 minutes or less. Trail is shared with mountain bikers. Apparel and gear recommendations will be provided one week in advance.
Leader: Hart Pierce
Location: Cortez, CO
Level: Easy
Register for this event

Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23: Earth Day Service Trip to Secluded New Mexico State Park. Celebrate Earth Day by giving back. City of Rocks State Park is a city of ancient volcanic rocks that needs a gentle facelift and we need your help. We’ll stay in a group campsite with big skies, beautiful sunsets, and share evening campfires and conversations. On Friday and Saturday, we’ll perform light trail maintenance and have time for an eight-mile trail bike ride or hike on Sunday to enjoy our handiwork! Weather should be warm during the day with cool spring nights. Check-in on Friday after 2:00 p.m. Check-out on Sunday is no later than 2:00 p.m. A recommended gear and tool list will be provided a week in advance. Children 10 and over with parent or legal guardian are welcome.
Trip Leader: Rose Rowan
Level: Easy-Moderate
Location: City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM
Register for this event by April 14

Saturday, April 22: Earth Month Open Space Cleanup-Piedra Lisa Open Space. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come join us to pick up trash and celebrate our amazing open spaces. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the location of your choice and sign-in with the City of Albuquerque representative. We will team up for about three-four hours to clean-up the surrounding area. Come for all of it or part of it. Bring water, sunscreen, gloves, hat, a snack, a trash bag or bucket, and wear closed-toed shoes. This is a great activity for families with children. Children 18 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you love our open spaces, I hope you’ll join us!
Leaders: Jessica O’Callahan and Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event
Register with the City of Albuquerque

Saturday, April 22: Earth Day Valley of Dreams Moon Walk. 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join the Rio Grande Chapter Military Outdoors Program. as we celebrate Earth Day by hiking The Valley of Dreams in the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness located between Chaco Canyon and the Bisti-De-na-zin Wilderness. This is an other-worldly landscape of hoodoos, water-carved clay hills and other unique geological formations, fossils, petrified logs and magnificent vistas stretching from Mount Taylor in the south to Colorado’s La Plata Mountains in the north, and from the Chuska Mountains in the west to the Jemez Mountains in the east. The Valley of Dreams trailhead is very difficult to find and the location is remote, so it is strongly suggested that those folks from locations outside the San Juan County arrange to stay in the Tri-cities-Durango area the night prior to the outing. The early rendezvous time allows for 1.5 hours trip time to the venue and will be impossible to meet for those coming from any distance. Please commit to the outing before registering.
Leader: Hart Pierce
Level: Easy
Location: Four Corners Region
Register for this event

Sunday, April 23: Mindful Birding Walk to Fillmore Falls, Dripping Springs Natural Area. 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This is a moderate 2.1 mile out and back hike with about 450 feet of elevation gain. The leader will share some of the health benefits of mindful time in nature and encourage a lot of listening with a quiet attitude. Pace will be about two miles per hour, with frequent pauses to listen for birdsong, notice any wildlife (bring binoculars), take some deep breaths, and enjoy the beauty of the Organ Mountains and Fillmore Canyon. It is unlikely there will be any water in the falls at this time of year, but the cool canyon walls still provide a lovely point to rest, snack and contemplate. The trail has a few stretches with larger rocks but is otherwise well maintained. Bring along a brief snack at the falls (if you like). No dogs. Restrooms near trailhead or at Visitor Center. We will meet at the Trailhead at the La Cueva turnout (NOT the Visitors Center), Las Cruces, NM. Pay for your parking ahead or get a pass from the Visitor Center if you need one before our meeting time. $5 per vehicle or National Park Pass required.
Leaders: Holly Thomas and Howard Dash
Level: Easy
Location: Las Cruces, NM
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Wednesday, April 26-27: Intro to Bikepacking 2-day event. 8:00 a.m. Apr 26 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday Apr 27 (time tentative). This is a lightweight bikepacking outing. If you feel comfortable riding a bike on dirt roads and wish to learn how to travel in the backcountry on two wheels light weight style this trip is right for you. Participants will meet at Cabezon Wilderness Study Area sign, travel around the mountain and spend the night at the highest point on the route. The next day we are going to enjoy the sunrise, have conversations about bikepacking basics and future adventures. We will plan to leave camp at around mid-morning and return to where we parked our vehicles. Please sign up for this outing only if you feel comfortable and fit to pedal a MTB bike loaded with overnight gear for more than 13 miles with elevation gain comfortably. This is not an outing for beginner cyclists. The route is 22 miles roundtrip with 1,334 feet of elevation gain.On this outing we are going to go over map and route navigation, gear selection, Leave-No-Trace principles, self-care, backcountry bike riding, outdoor cooking and a few basic Bikepacking skills. Leader will email a gear list ahead of time. Participants must be prepared for varying weather conditions and feel comfortable sleeping under the stars or in a tent. No dogs please. Children 14 and over with parent or legal guardian are welcome. Outing size is limited to six.
Leader: Sandra Corso
Level: Moderate
Location: San Ysidro, NM | Route map
Register for this event by April 12

Saturday, April 29: Earth Month Open Space Cleanup-Embudito-Bear Canyon Trailhead. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come join us to pick up trash and celebrate our amazing open spaces. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the location of your choice and sign-in with the City of Albuquerque representative. We will team up for about three-to-four hours to clean up the surrounding area. Come for all of it or part of it. Bring water, sunscreen, gloves, hat, a snack, a trash bag or bucket, and wear closed-toed shoes. This is a great activity for families with children. Children 18 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you love our open spaces, I hope you’ll join us!
Leaders: Jessica O’Callahan and Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Embudito Trailhead, Trailhead Rd NE, Albuquerque
Register for this event
Register with the City of Albuquerque 

May 2023

Tuesday, May 2 to May 3: Lightweight Backpacking and Santa Fe Baldy summit 2-day event.8:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, to May 3 6:00 p.m. (time tentative). If you’ve mastered basic skills traveling in the backcountry lightweight style, this trip is right for you. Participants will meet at Winsor Trailhead and travel to Puerto Nambe area where we are going to spend the night. The next day we are going to do an Alpine style ascent to Santa Fe Baldy so that we can see the sunrise from the summit. We will plan to return to the trailhead soon after we refuel and pack our packs. Please sign up for this outing only if you feel comfortable and fit to carry a backpack for more than four miles with elevation gain, summit the mountain and backpack back to the trailhead comfortably. This is not an outing for beginners. The route is 13.5 miles roundtrip with 3,500 feet of elevation gain. On this outing we are going to go over map and compass navigation, gear selection, Leave No Trace principles, self-care, off trail hiking, outdoor cooking and a few basic mountaineering skills. Leader will email a gear list ahead of time. Participants must be prepared for varying weather conditions and feel comfortable sleeping under the stars or in a tent. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Winsor Trailhead, adjacent to the public bathrooms and picnic table at the Santa Fe Ski Basin. No dogs please. Children 14 and over with parent or legal guardian are welcome. Outing size is limited to six.
Leader: Sandra Corso
Level: Moderate-Strenuous
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Register for this event by April 18

Tuesday, May 2 to Wednesday, May 3, Hovenweep Hopalong, May 2, 2:00 p.m. to Wednesday, May 3, 3:00 p.m. Join the Rio Grande Chapter Military Outdoors Program as we hike and bike Hovenweep National Monument, a cluster of Ancestral Puebloan villages that are located on a stretch of land that intersects the Utah-Colorado border west of Cortez, Colorado. The magnificence of the archeological sites is matched by the grandeur of the landscape and vistas that stretch over canyons and mesas of the Colorado Plateau. We will rendezvous at the Visitors’ Center on May 2 and hike the Square Tower Unit, a 2-hour hike that will introduce us to the greatest complex of archeological sites in the monument. On May 3, we will rendezvous at the Visitors’ Center and begin a bike ride to many of the Monument outliers. This will be approximately 13 miles round trip with ample time for short hike to sites, snacking, picture taking and taking in the solitude and serenity of the area. Mountain bikes, gravel bikes or ebikes recommended due to some rocky, gravelly trails. Hovenweep has a 31-site campground that is first come first served. Dispersed camping is available in the Canyon of the Ancients 4 miles away over the Colorado border. Lodging and camping are available in Cortez, CO, Bluff and Blanding, Utah. Those interested in participating need to be in adequate physical condition to hike and bike the distances and elevations required and must have requisite cycling gear. Apparel and gear recommendations will be sent to registrants 1 to 2 weeks prior to the outing. Outing limit 10 participants.
Leader: Hart Pierce
Level: Moderate
Location: Montezuma Creek, UT
Register for this event

Friday, May 12: Relaxed Bosque Walk at Durand Open Space. 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Welcome to the beautiful South Valley! Durand Open Space provides excellent access to forest paths and river views. We’ll do a 2 mile loop and then take a break at the covered picnic area. Let’s meet at the Durand parking lot by 9:55 a.m. No dogs please.
Leader: Diane Reese
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event

Friday, May 26: Las Conchas Trail Hike along the Jemez River East Fork. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for a dose of nature and camaraderie. This outing includes one hour of driving each way from departure point, along the lovely winding mountain Highway 4 with a photo stop at the Gilman tunnels and waterfall. Then we will lunch together after the hike at Los Ojos in Jemez Springs. This easy pine forest hike alongside the mountain stream. is approximately 3 miles round trip with 50 feet of elevation gain. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Home Depot in Bernalillo, 7700 Highway 550 at the Northwest corner of the parking lot. Carpooling encouraged as there is limited parking at the trail head on Highway 4. Recommended carpool driver donation is $15. Bring your own water, and wear outer layers as the mountain air may be chilly. This hike is appropriate for children over 12 accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No dogs.
Leader: June Parsons
Level: Easy
Location: Jemez Mountains, North of Jemez Springs
Register for this event no later than May 20

Friday, May 26: Bike Ride from Valle de Oro NWR to Bike in Coffee. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Valle de Oro (VdO) is one of the few Urban Wildlife Refuges – and it is right in our backyard! We will meet at the Entrance Area Parking at VdO at 7851 2nd St NW at 10:00 a.m. and bike a short distance to the Visitor’s Center to hear about the Refuge. Then we hit the Paseo del Bosque Trail for a 10.5-mile ride to Bike-In-Coffee at Old Town Farm. You can purchase food and drinks of your choice and we’ll spend some exploring the Farm.
Leader: Diane Reese
Level: Moderate
Locations: Albuquerque
Register for this event

Saturday, May 27: More Migrating Birds Along Animas River in Farmington. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This will be three miles round trip. Let’s follow up April’s birding trip, in the same location, to identify new arrivals and departures. Some birds will have moved on further north; others will have established a territory for nesting in these habitats. No dogs please. Limit 10 people over 18.
Trip leader: Mike Foster
Level: Easy
Location: Farmington, NM
Register for this event by May 20

Wednesday, May 31: Valles Caldera Spring Fling. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Rio Grande Chapter Military Outdoors Program is hosting a Spring hike in the spectacular Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Participants will hike the Coyote Call and Rabbit Ridge Trails which are located along the southeastern rim of VCNP. This 5.3-mile hike will contour up the side of Rabbit Mountain with an elevation gain of 1701 feet over trails that are grassy, gravelly and rocky. As we ascend, we will enjoy magnificent views of the Valle Grande, sightings of wildlife and the beauty of the aspen/conifer forest. There are several vantage points for rest stops, all with stunning views. This hike will take approximately 4-5 hours depending on the pace. This will not be a “forced March”, rather an opportunity to see the landscape come alive with spring grandeur. The trailhead is at 8,714 feet and we will reach an elevation of 9,610 feet. Accordingly, folks need to be accustomed to hiking at altitude and be able to ascend sections of the trail that steepen as we progress up Rabbit Mountain. The group will rendezvous at 9:30 a.m. at the Coyote Call Trailhead which is located at mile marker 41 between La Cueva and Los Alamos.
Leader: Hart Pierce
Level: Easy- Moderate
Location: Valles Caldera, NM
Register for this event

June 2023

Saturday, June 3: Introduction to Land Navigation Course. 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is an introduction to land navigation. It will include not only use of a map and compass but also some other skills to help you find your way in the wild. It will include both classroom and field instruction. Participants will need to bring a suitable navigation compass and topographic map of the Sandia mountains. Additional information, gear list and meeting location for the classroom portion will be provided about one week in advance. Children over the age of 12 with parent or legal guardian may attend. No dogs. Class size will be limited to ten. Meet at Rio Grande Chapter Office-2215 Lead Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM, no later than 7:45 a.m.
Leader: Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event

Saturday, June 17: ABQ-Santa Fe Rail & Bike Tour. 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See the “City Different” in a different way by exploring the River Trail on a bike! We will ride the Railrunner from Albuquerque or meet at the station in Santa Fe for a long day excursion. 8 to 18 miles depending on starting point, maximum 500 feet elevation gain. Trails in Santa Fe suitable for beginner bicyclists, route in Albuquerque recommend prior city riding experience. Meet at Montgomery Park at 5703 Comanche Rd. NE (Montgomery Park) at 7:30 a.m. or at the Los Ranchos RailRunner station at 8:00 a.m, or at the Santa Fe Railyard-Santa Fe Depot RailRunner station at 9:40 a.m. This ride is appropriate for children over the age of 16 when accompanied by parent or legal guardian. E-bikes are welcome. No dogs are allowed.
Leader: Patrick Burton
Level: Moderate
Location: Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Register for this event by June 10

Friday, June 23: Michael M. Emery Trail Hike for People That Don’t Hike. 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. This is an easy hike with an elevation gain of 334 feet over a 2.5-mile loop.
Meet at 99999 High Desert Street NE, 87111. To get there, proceed up Academy Road NE, cross Tramway Boulevard, continue east until it turns into High Desert and park in the hikers parking lot. Suitable for children over 12 years old. Good dogs on leash are welcome.
Leader: Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Sandia Foothills Albuquerque, NM
Register for this event by June 20th

Saturday, June 24: Birds of High Summer Along Animas River in Farmington. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This will be a three miles round trip along the river. On this third outing to explore birds along a major riparian habitat, we will discover the breeding residents of the area, and compare their abundance to the migrants viewed over the past two months. No dogs please. Limit 10 people over 18.
Leader: Mike Foster
Level: Easy
Location: Farmington, NM
Register for this event

Saturday, June 24: Leave No Trace Course. 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Maybe you’ve heard of Leave-No-Trace principles but have never had the opportunity to learn how to incorporate them into your outdoor adventures. Here’s your chance to learn from a certified LNT instructor. Meet at Elena Gallegos Double Shelter on the northeast side of the park loop. We’ll cover LNT principles and then take a short hike to discuss how to easily incorporate them into your outdoor activities. Suitable for children 12 and up. No dogs please.
Leader: Michaelle Huntley
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque Foothills
Register for this event by June 22

Looking ahead…

Saturday, September 16: Wilderness First Aid Course 2-day event. 8:00 a.m. Saturday, Sep 16, to Sunday Sep 17 at 5:00 p.m. Sierra club Rio Grande Chapter is sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid course especially geared toward our members. This course is in high demand and typically fills-up months in advance. The SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course is a 2-day first aid course that provides training for anyone that spends time hiking, skiing, engaged in other outdoor pursuits, or just wants to know what to do when things go south. The course is a blend of lecture, demonstrations, and scenarios. Attendees must participate in all portions and hours of the course to obtain certification. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one-and maybe even save a life. The price for the course is $200 per person. Participants must commit to attend both days. Class times: Saturday, September 16, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, September 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Payment instructions will be sent in late July requesting a $65 deposit to hold your seat to the first 24 who have signed-up. Applicants will be taken in the order that they register and make payment by the deadline. Maximum class size is 24.
Leader: Terry Owen
Location: Tijeras, NM
Register for this event

Friday, September 22 to Saturday, September 30: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park Utah Service Project. The Rio Grande Chapter is co-sponsoring a service trip to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park Utah for a Service Project in conjunction with the Austin (TX) Group of the Sierra Club. Additional information and registrations are being handled by the Austin Group. Join us for a week long service trip at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, a half mile north of the town of Escalante. This park is only seven miles from the famed Hole-in-the-Rock Road, which takes you deep into Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. There are numerous gorgeous hikes in the National Monument, including Coyote Gulch. So that we have a chance to do some serious hiking, the State Park Manager, Chad Jones, has given us three full days off. Saturday, September 23, Tuesday the 26th, and Friday the 29th. This means we will work all day on Sunday the 24th, Monday the 25th, Wednesday the 27th and Thursday the 28th. At the State Park, we will have access to showers, water and power.
Leader: Stan Peyton
Level: Moderate
Location: Escalante, UT
Register for this event on the Austin group Meetup site

Saturday, September 30 to Saturday, October 7: Island in the Sky District – Canyonlands National Park Service Project. The Rio Grande Chapter is co-sponsoring a service trip to Island in the Sky-Canyonlands National Park for a Service Project in conjunction with the Austin (TX) Group of the Sierra Club. Join us for a week-long service trip at Canyonlands National Park. This park is divided into three parts, and we will be in the Island in the Sky District. There are numerous gorgeous hikes at Island in the Sky. So that we have a chance to do some serious hiking, the Volunteer Coordinator, Sofia Nicholson, has given us two full days off including Sunday, October 1. We will have access to showers and toilets because the Park Service will be setting up their Ablutions Trailer like they did last year at Arches. We will not have electricity at our campsite. And, just like Arches, we will be camping alone in a Service Area, so we might find heavy equipment parked nearby.
Leader: Stan Peyton, stanpeyton@gmail.com
Level: Moderate
Location: Canyonlands, UT
Register for this event on the Austin group Meetup site