Update: A few spots are still available.  RSVP is not guaranteed until payment is received!

Hey Party People!

Come on out and join the Sierra Club 20s & 30s section as we explore Pinnacles National Monument over Labor Day Weekend 2010!  Continuing on my journey to share the not-so-famous-but-well-worth-it trips with you, we’re heading 4 hours north to Central California.  I’ve decided not to fundraise on this trip in order to offer a budget-friendly option for this holiday weekend.

Pinnacles National Monument was established in 1908 to preserve the incongruent and beautiful rock formations for which it is named.  The rock formations are the remnants of an extinct volcano created over 23 million years ago.  The volcano first erupted about 195 miles south of its present location.  Since then, it has traveled northward along the San Andreas Fault and currently moves at a rate of about 2 - 3 centimeters per year.

Pinnacles National Monument is a release site for the endangered California condor.  The park currently manages 26 free-flying condors, carefully monitoring each after its release to increase its chances of survival.  Condors can sometimes be seen from hiking trails throughout the park so cross your fingers and maybe we’ll get lucky and see some of these majestic birds.  If we’re really lucky, we may even be able to go exploring in a real bat cave (the park is home to 14 of the 23 species of bats found in California!)

Cost of this fantastic trip is just $120 for Sierra Club members ($140 for non-members) and includes campsite fees and all meals from Friday dinner until Monday breakfast.  Leader-led hikes will be tossed in at no additional charge and will range in length (up to 10 miles) with 300-1,500 ft elevation gain.  Restrooms with flush toilets are a short walk from our campsite. Coin-operated showers are a short distance as well.  A $5-per-vehicle park entrance pass is not included.

All participants will need to bring their own tent (or share one), sleeping bag and sleeping pad, reusable dinnerware, and a good attitude!  Parking is limited so participants are encouraged to carpool.  (Carpooling is strictly voluntary and the Sierra Club assumes no liability for any arrangements.)  Participants will be expected to help with meal prep/clean up and campsite setup & cleanup.  Participants will also be required to sign a liability waiver which must be submitted with payment.

Address to send payment will be emailed to participants after RSVP is received.  As always, this trip will sell out so don’t delay.  Sign up and send in your payment today!  Any questions, comments, or concerns? Drop us a line through the Contact Leader tab.

Update: 8/25; There are still spots left - but sign up very soon. As of today, please use Paypal only for payment. Boat Departures/Returns are located in Long Beach.

This is a one-of-a-kind 3-day-weekend! A fantastic adventure in paradise awaits you twenty-six miles across the ocean at Camp Emerald Bay in the northern end of Catalina Island. You will be surrounded by beautiful beaches, crystal blue water, and spectacular views for three spectacular days. Your amazing weekend will include snorkeling, swimming, hiking, kayaking, dancing, dance lessons, sunbathing, fun games, consuming sumptuous meals, optional Scuba Diving (non-Sierra Club event),social activities and just relaxing in your own personal style.

You don’t have to be the camper type to enjoy this trip, you can either stay in the pre-assembled platform tents with or share cabins with friends; no sleeping on the hard ground on this trip. There are plenty of hot showers and other amenities to make your weekend comfortable and relaxing. You will be savoring delicious gourmet faire throughout the weekend prepared by an experienced catering staff. The evening activities start with a happy hour followed by dinner and then the dinning room magically turns into a dance floor with a live DJ with a variety of all styles of music and perhaps a disco ball! We plan on having some dance lessons again this year. If dancing isn’t in your groove; no worries – many choose enjoy the campfire and sing the oldies – last year there were 6 guitar players that kept the chords flowing. Or just kickback on the wooden pier; gaze at the bright stars and stare at the moonlight silhouetting off the glistening ocean. It’s all good.

Your days will be spent playing in the sun and socializing with the rest of your adventure-mates. Last year 270 participants went on this trip and believe it or not you will have the chance to meet and interact with all the participants that go this year!! Although, it sounds like a lot of people, the camp is absolutely huge; and even with the large number of participants solitude if desired can also be achieved.

Trip fee includes: Round trip Catalina boat transportation, camp & landing fees for two nights, platform tent w/bed and mattress or wood cabins w/electric lights/outlets, hot showers, flush toilets, campfires, kayaks, dancing, dance lessons, many leader led hikes/activities, optional competitive events, catered meals from Friday afternoon to Sunday lunch and a great time.

Trip Fee for Sierra Club Member

• Price with platform tent accommodation - $245
• Price with cabin upgrade - $265

• Price with platform tent accommodation - $270
• Price with cabin upgrade - $290

For first time new member applicants, a one-year Sierra Club membership can be purchased for $25 prior to the trip allowing you to benefit from the Member price. You will receive the discounted price and a free gift.

• Check: make payable to SIERRA CLUB and mail to, Annette Tamraz, 10760 Floralita Ave., Sunland CA  91040

• Paypal: Please use the Paypal button in your Reservation Status area to submit your payment. Your reservation will be finalized when your payment is received.

After you have made your payment, you will be provided a link to sign up for the Boat; the boats will depart out of Long Beach. For reservation questions email Annette Tamraz at ANNETTETAM@aol.com and general inquiries to Ron Domash at rdomash@yahoo.com. All trip information will be transmitted to participants via email and may be available on the website as the trip date approaches.

Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the magical blue-green waters of the Havasupai Indian Reservation located in the Western end of the Grand Canyon. The color and clarity of this river and the lush landscape that follows it is a sight you will never forget. The waterfalls are some of the most breathtaking in the world!  The streams flow out of limestone, which gives them a translucent blue-green hue; you won’t believe they are real.  People come from around the world to see the waterfalls; the waterfalls have created large pools that are clear, deep and inviting; and you won’t be able to resist taking in a refreshing swim in the magnificent pools.  The Supai people and their ancestors have inhabited this amazing canyon for thousands of years. 

Our first class coach will depart Los Angeles late evening on Wednesday (9/29) and we will arrive at the Southern portion of the Grand Canyon (not a Grand Canyon National Park Destination) at Hualapai Hilltop early in the morning.  After loading the pack mules with our food and gear, we will hike hike at 9 ½ miles down (up on the return) the canyon to the campground passing through the isolated Indian village of Supai along our way; the hike will have approximately 2800 of elevation gain/loss.  We will camp next to the turquoise colored river; swim in the 70° water, enjoy the Supai Indian Village with a general thrift store and café, and enjoy fantastic scenery. We will spend our time exploring the area by day hiking, enjoying a swim at the base of the waterfall, and basking in the beauty of the Canyon. Come and share an unforgettable experience with your Sierra Club friends in this Canyon Paradise. We will hike back to the bus on Sunday morning and will arrive back in Los Angeles Sunday evening.

Most people elect to have their gear carried by a mule for an extra fee. Those of you who are the hardcore backpacking type may elect to carry your own gear. As backpacking can be strenuous, you must have prior leader approval to carry a backpack and will need to submit your backpacking resume 2 weeks prior to the trip. All participants will need to bring their own light weight tent (or share one), sleeping bag, reusable dinnerware, and a good attitude! 

Participants will be expected to help with loading & unloading of gear, campsite setup & clean up, and meal preparation & clean up.

Fees : The fee, which includes all camping and entrance fees to the Supai Reservation, round trip transportation via first class bus, snacks on the bus, 9 meals ( 3 breakfast, 3 lunches, 3 dinner), group gear pack animal fees, is as follows:

Trip fee without mule (backpacking) SC   $340
Trip fee with mule- 40lb. max (daypack carry only) SC $399
Trip fee without mule (backpacking) Non SC  $365
Trip fee with mule- 40lb. max(daypack carry only)Non SC $425

Co-Leaders/Organizers: Annette Tamraz and Ron Domash; Asst. Jason Hashimoto

Payment: Make checks payable to SIERRA CLUB and mail to, Annette Tamraz, 10760 Floralita Ave., Sunland CA  91040. Once you RSVP, you will be emailed a Participant Questionnaire and Participant Medical Form; you must complete both forms and return them with payment.