SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 2 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY)
Gem Lake Backpack. Easy backpack to this small Sierra Nevada lake. Discuss environmental status of lake, Sierra lakes in general. About 4 mi. each way, 700 ft., elev. gain; 3.5 hrs. each way from Reno. DL. Leaders: Ross Smith, Vicky Toy-Smith (826-0932).

OCTOBER 1 (SATURDAY)
Mill Canyon. Start at Fort Churchill, then to Adrian Narrows dry wash to Mill Canyon. Loop down another wash to Carson River. Learn about history of area. About 14+ mi., 1000 ft. elev. Gain. DL. Leaders: Dan Tyma (883-4151, DLTyma@aol.com), Holly Coughlin (331-7488). Moderate.

OCTOBER 1 (SATURDAY)
High Beginner Mountain Bike, Truckee.  This will be for people who want to get on some single track with their mountain bike. We will ride around the east Truckee area. Learn about wild fires in the Martis area. You must have been riding this summer and in fairly good shape. Remember this is a HIGH BEGINNER ride. Leader: Glen Polochko (530-587-5906, gpolochko@yhahoo.com). Moderate.

OCTOBER 4 (TUESDAY)
Last Leisurely Conditioning Hike. Leisurely-paced conditioning hike in foothills after work. Call for destination, directions. Learn about flora, fauna, or history. About 3 miles, 500 ft. gain. DL. Leaders: Karen Caribio (424-3357), Kim Glasgow (825-8604), Yvonne Jerome (851-3043). Easy.

OCTOBER 5 (WEDNESDAY)
Holly's Last Conditioning Hike. Join me on my last mid-week hike for the season. We'll hike about 3 miles, 800 ft. elev. gain. Bring water, trail shoes, windbreaker. Learn about flora or fauna on our outing. Call for meeting time and place. Optional dinner afterward. DOK. Moderate.

OCTOBER 8 (SATURDAY)
Grouse Lake.  Let's explore early fall hiking west of Blue Lakes. Hike about 12 miles, 2000 ft. gain. Learn about plants in the area. Call for details. ND. Leaders: Bill Bower (786-3259), Cathy Schmidt (323-6316). Moderately strenuous.

OCTOBER 8 (SATURDAY)
Gilmore Lake and Mount Tallac. Hike in the Desolation Wilderness to the top of Mt. Tallac at 9,735 feet, 10 miles, 3000 ft. gain. Mt. Tallac is the closest peak to the shore of Lake Tahoe. Exceptional views of Lake Tahoe. Learn about the dramatic topography of the prodigious lateral moraines that border Emerald Bay. Early Departure. DL. Bad weather cancels. Contact leaders before Friday. Leaders: John Cossavella (750-7270), Shanel Pistorius (425-4962). Strenuous and rocky hike for conditioned hikers only.

OCTOBER 9 (SUNDAY)
Burbank Canyons WSA Wilderness Celebration. Join the Great Basin Group as we celebrate "The Little Gem" of the Pine Nuts. Although the Burbank Canyons WSA is only 3% of the total acreage of the Pine Nuts, it makes up for it in beauty and solitude. Join us not only to celebrate this WSA, but also to learn what "Wilderness" designation means, and what you can do to make sure Burbank receives this designation.  Lyon and Douglas County residents are encouraged to attend. Possible great fall colors. DL (well-mannered trail dogs only and with leaders' consent). Dress for temps, few breaks, all day event, 6-8 miles, 1500-2000 ft. gain. 8:00 a.m. start from south Reno. Moderate and steady pace. Bad weather cancels. Leaders: Kurt Kuznicki (745-3119), Holly Coughlin (331-7488). Moderately strenuous.

OCTOBER 9 (SUNDAY)
Machado Postpiles. The Machado Postpiles, near Carson Pass, are believed to have been formed prior to the Sierra Nevada Range which surrounds them. The existence and location of this naturally occuring hexagonal basalt column collection, similar to and millions of years older than even the Devil's Postpile near Mammoth, was not confirmed until 1990. Learn about the history of this area. Apx. 5 mi. RT, under 500' elev. gain. ND. Leader: T A Taro (530-2935). Moderately easy.

OCTOBER 12 (WEDNESDAY)
Columbus Day Conditioning Hike. Celebrate the day of the Great Navigator with a ramble through the local hills, searching for the Western horizon. About 2-4 miles, 500-1000 ft. gain. Learn about flora in the area. DL. Leader: Ridge Walker (853-8055, edc@unr.edu). Moderate.

OCTOBER 12 (WEDNESDAY EVENING).
Conditioning Hike East Truckee Area. Quick-paced hike in the mountains east of Truckee, from 6:00-ish until dark, 3-5 miles, 500-1000 ft. elev. gain. Optional BBQ on Sally's back porch afterwards. Hiking boots, water, and windbreakers recommended. DOK. Leader: Sally Lyon (530-582-4943, sally@mytahoevacation.com). Moderate.

OCTOBER 13 (THURSDAY)
GB Group general meeting. GB Group general meeting. Due to circumstances beyond his control, Dirk Van Zyl, our originally scheduled speaker, will not present his program at this meeting. We will attempt to reschedule Dirk for a future meeting. 

Fortunately, we have an outstanding replacement. Brenda Smith, from Smith & Smith Farm in Dayton, will talk about her experience running a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. She will be introduced by Philip Moore, who will review the Sierra Club’s True Cost of Food program and provide contact information for other CSAs. Location: Bartley Ranch (South on Lakeside Dr., just before Windy Hill). Time: 7:00 social, 7:30 – 8:30 Program. Info: Larry (786-8564).

OCTOBER 15-16 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY)
Leave No Trace Trainer Course in Little High Rock Canyon Wilderness. Trip will entail a two-day backpack course and instruction on the LNT (Leave No Trace) principles and outdoor ethics. We will met in Reno Friday afternoon and spend the night at the BLM house in Gerlach. Optional dinner at Brunos' on Friday night. Saturday morning we will have a workshop in Gerlach on several LNT principles, along with a brief history of the Black Rock-High Rock NCA. We will then proceed to Little High Rock Canyon (a beautiful canyon) and backpack 2-4 miles with less than 800 ft. gain and conduct the remainder of the class. We will day hike on Sunday and finish around 5:00 pm back in Gerlach. If you're a Sierra Club or other outdoor leader, you are encouraged to attend. Group participation is requested, and all participants will receive LNT trainer certificate upon completion of class. ND (sorry, no dogs, good or otherwise). This is a full weekend event with possible inclement weather and cool temps. You are responsible for your own food and gear. Please call in advance-there is a trip limit and class should fill up quickly. There is NO cost for the class itself. This is a joint outing with the BLM and Great Basin Group. Leaders: Kurt Kusnicki (745-3119), Brian Murdock, BLM Wilderness Coordinator (623-1761). See full description. Moderately easy.

OCTOBER 15 (SATURDAY)
Mountain Bike Sardine Peak. Prepare for a slow climb to the lookout on all dirt roads, some steeps, but nothing technical. Incredible views of the Carson Range, Lassen Peak, Sardine Valley, maybe fall colors, and the largest Western juniper in the world. Leader: Glen Polochko (530-587-5906, gpolochko@yahoo.com). Moderate.

OCTOBER 16 (SUNDAY)
Savor the Great Outdoors. Joiin us for a desert hike and BBQ. Leader provides BBQ hamburgers on the backyard grill. Bring a potluck dish to share. Hike 8 miles of the Hungry Valley Ridge, 1300 ft. gain. Very steep and rocky climb. Learn about the benefits of hiking poles (poles recommended), hiking boots only. DL. Bad weather cancels. Contact leaders before Friday. Leaders: John Cossavella (750-7270), Shanel Pistorius (425-4962). Moderate.

OCTOBER 16 (SUNDAY)
Bucklands Station. From historic Buckland's Station, hike downstream along the lower Carson River enjoying the riparian habitat. Return on segment of Pony Express Trail  route.  Learn some history of the area.  Option to tour Fort Churchill on your own after the hike. Trip is about 7 mi. and has under 100' of elev. gain. Easy, however hike is over soft sand making walking more difficult. ND. Leader: T A Taro (530-2935). Easy.

OCTOBER 17 (MONDAY)
Moonlight Hike in Reno. Hike Thomas Creek Trail and Steamboat Canal train in moonlight. Full moon. Start at 5:30 pm at Patagonia Outlet. Learn about water use in Reno and just have fun. Call for details. DL. Leaders: Dorothy Hudig (323-4835, hudig@med.unr.edu), David von Seggern (323-4835)

OCTOBER 22 (SATURDAY)
Peak Climb, Twin Peaks 8,878 Stanford Rock.  This hike will be about 12 miles and at least 2000 ft. gain. The hike is limited to 8. Bring the 10 essentials, 3 quarts of water and food. Call the leader for meeting time and place. Participant must be in good shape. Leader: Ted Lenzie (916-985-6144, or Mon.-Thurs. at Clubted@Backpacker.com). Moderately strenuous.

OCTOBER 22 (SATURDAY)
Spooner to Snow Valley Peak. Spooner Summit up North Canyon to Marlette Lake, returning via Snow Valley Peak and Tahoe Rim Trail. Learn some of the history of this area. Distance 14 mi. and over 2,000' elev. gain.  ND.  Leader:  T A Taro (530-2935). Moderately Strenuous.

OCTOBER 22 (SATURDAY)
Marlette Lake Dayhike. Come share the colors of fall and learn about some local flora. Apx. 6 mi. and 800' elev. gain.  DL.  Leaders:  Yvonne (851-3043), Kim (825-8604). Moderately easy.

OCTOBER 23 (SUNDAY)
Euchre Bar Day Hike. Explore fauna along the Euchre Bar trail, which leads into N. Fork of the American River Canyon, 8.5 miles, 1800 ft. gain/loss. Trailhead 75 mi. west of Reno, turnoff at Alta. Trail goes steeply into N. Fork, then 2-3 miles up-river to Humbug Bar (not the Humbug Bar on S. Yuba). DL. Leaders: Ross Smith, Vicki Toy-Smith (826-0932). Moderate.

OCTOBER 23 (SUNDAY)
Merril Creek to Babbitt Peak. Dayhike to B abbitt Peak. Fine autumn views of aspen stands and Sierra peaks. Learn about USFS fire lookouts still active in the Sierras. Roughly 12 miles RT, mostly on back roads, with about 2000 ft. elev. gain. DL. Leaders: David von Seggern (323-4835), Joy Bridgeman (746-1313). Moderate.

OCTOBER 24 (MONDAY)
Outings Meeting. Help plan outings for Dec. - Jan. Bring a dish to share; beverages provided. Ideas for hikes, snowshoes, skiing. Opportunities to co-lead. Meeting at the home of Dorothy Hudig, 15 Hastings Dr. in Reno. Call for details: Dorothy Hudig (323-4835), Holly Coughlin (331-7488).

OCTOBER 26 (WEDNESDAY)
Conditioning Hike. Last Conditioning hike of the season. Brisk evening hike off into the dwindling twilight before the end of daylight savings time. Learn about flora or history of the area. About 4 miles, 500 ft. gain. DL. Leaders: Ridge Walker (853-8055, edc@unr.edu), Kurt Kuznicki (745-3119). Moderate.

OCTOBER 29 (SATURDAY)
Stampede Lake Penninsular Day Hike. We will hike or snowshoe between Sagehen and Little Truckee River mouths. Nice views. Possibly spot some Bald Eagles north of Truckee. This is a migration stopover when fresh water salmon are running. See great views of the Carson Range and Mt. Rose. ND. Leader: Glenn Polochko (530-587-5906, gpolochko@yahoo.com). Moderate.

OCTOBER 29 (SATURDAY)
Spooner Summit to Snow Valley Peak. Fond remembrances of Pete Jeffaloney on this outing to an area he loved dearly. Share memories of the TRT and other hikes. Learn about the TRT. About 10 miles, 1000 ft. gain. DL. Leader: Holly Coughlin (331-7488). Moderate.