Donations For Outings -Thanks for All Your Contributions!

The Great Basin Group's Outing Leaders are collecting $1 donations from all members on outings ($2 for non-members). These contributions will greatly help to enhance our Outings Program by providing leaders with more training opportunities, provide new first aid kits to all leaders, and help offset the cost of our bi-monthly Outings Meetings. Any extra funds may be used to help finance the cost of our Program Meetings at Bartley Ranch.
Our Outings Leaders provide a variety of outings in our effort to meet the needs our membership. They are all volunteers who endeavor to share their love and knowledge of the outdoors in the amazing country around us. Your donations will provide essential support to the Great Basin Group's Outing Program and will be greatly appreciated.

January 1 (Thursday) 10:00 AM
New Year's Day Recovery Hike. Start 2009 off right! We'll take a hike in the Reno area, location depending upon the weather, to welcome the New Year. Meeting time of 10:00 AM to accommodate late-night revelers. DL. Leaders: David von Seggern (303-8461), Gracie Caudill (626-7873). Moderately easy.

January 1 (Thursday) 10:00 AM
First Annual New Year's Day Assault on Prison Hill. We'll climb Prison Hill and shout "Happy New Year" to Carson City from the top. We'll also visit Mexican Dam and learn a little history of the Mexican Ditch. About 6 miles RT and under 500 foot of gain. (Heavy snow or ice an alternate walk/hike will be provided). ND. Leader: Donna Inversin (315-6763). Moderately easy.

January 5 (Monday) 6:30 PM
ExCom Meeting. Great Basin Board Members meet to discuss group plans and activities. All members welcome. Call David von Seggern for information: (303-8461).

January 10 (Saturday) 9:00 AM
Snowshoe onto Chickadee Ridge. Starting at the south-bound Tahoe Rim trailhead, we'll snowshoe across Tahoe Meadows and Ophir Creek. Going through forest we'll climb up 400 feet onto Chickadee Ridge and undoubtedly the little birds will greet us as we lunch around 9,000 feet. Great vistas of Tahoe. About 3 miles RT and 600 feet of gain. DOK. Leaders: Gary Hanneman (425-3742), Yvonne Jerome (851-3043). Moderately easy.

January 11 (Sunday)
Beginner's Snowshoe at the Meadows. Join me for instruction on how to put on your equipment and learn to navigate through the snow wearing snowshoes. We will practice at the Tahoe Meadows and will snowshoe about 2 miles with 200 foot of gain. Dress appropriately for weather. DOK. Leader: Grace Blaylock (846-2758, gblaylock@clearwire.net). Easy and fun.

January 17 (Saturday) 8:30 AM
Churchill Butte near Silver Springs. We will scale the butte, overlooking historic Fort Churchill, portions of the emigrant wagon route, ancient and modern Lake Lahontan, the Pony Express, and the Lincoln Highway. Learn some history of the fascinating region. Day hike will be about 8 miles RT with 2,000 foot of gain, all in the first four miles. Portions of the hike are off-trail with steep descents. ND. Leaders: T A Taro (775-530-2935), Donna Inversin (315-6763). Moderately strenuous.

January 17 (Saturday) 9:00 AM
Sagehen Creek Snowshoe. Snowshoe along Sagehen Creek into the back of Stampede Reservoir. If there is enough snow we will climb the ridge on the way back that runs along the creek. Trip should be about 6-8 miles and has 600 to 1,000 feet of gain depending upon conditions. Experienced snowshoers only. Trip limit of 14. DOK. Leaders: Holly Coughlin (331-7488), Pat Kleames (359-5089). Moderate.

January 18 (Sunday) 8:30 AM
Coldstream Valley Cross-Country Ski. Ski up the U-shaped Coldstream Valley behind Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee. Most of the route is fairly flat on roads, and we expect to make it up to Horseshoe Bend and beyond. Geared for experienced beginner and intermediate skiers. Trip is about 5-7 miles RT, depending on conditions, and 200 feet of gain. We will also learn about the Emigrant Trail, and the rigors of the Donner Party. ND. Leaders: Ridge Walker (853-8055, edc@unr.edu), Gracie Caudill (626-7873), Valerie Andersen (828-0302). Moderately easy.

January 24 (Saturday) 8:30 AM
Lahonton Reservoir Shoreline Day Hike. Enjoy the silent, stark beauty of this shoreline near Silver Springs. About 6 miles RT with almost no elevation gain. Terrain is rocky. Interesting tufa formations. Learn some history of the area. State park use fee. ND. Leaders: T A Taro (775-530-2935), Donna Inversin (315-6763). Easy.

January 25 (Sunday) 9:00 AM
Gloria's Peak and Beyond in the Pah Rah Range. Beautiful views of Pyramid Lake on most of the hike. Very unusual rock formations and beautiful junipers. Hike is about 8-10 miles RT and has up to 2,000 feet of elevation gain depending upon weather conditions. DL. Trip limit 15. Leaders: Lucrecia Beleancio (851-9279), Gary Hanneman (425-3742). Moderate.

January 31 (Saturday)
Grover Hot Springs Snowshoe. Easy snowshoe and soak in the hot springs afterward. Snowshoe around the park's alpine meadow to a waterfall. About 3 miles RT and little gain. There is a $5.00 pool fee. Grover Hot Springs State Park features a concrete pool fed by natural hot springs. Bathers can sit in one hot pool(102-105 degrees) fed by six mineral springs, or jump in the cooler pool. The two pools and changing rooms are the extent of the facilities. Learn about mineral hot springs. Bad weather cancels. Grover Hot Springs is located off State Route 89, four miles west of Markleeville, at the end of Hot Springs Road. ND. Leaders: John Cossavella (425-4962), Shanel (247-6884), Gracie Caudill (626-7873). Easy.