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Sierra Club started with outings!

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter outings are free and open to the public. Outings are listed in the quarterly Rio Grande Sierran, on our event calendar and also as a quarterly text listing. The Northern Group outings are generally listed on the Santa Fe Group Meetup site, and Chapter outings may also be listed on the Rio Grande Chapter Meetup site.

We offer hikes at all levels of difficulty, and the difficulty level is listed in each outing, along with trip and leader details. Below are general Sierra Club protocols for all outings.

  • Participants must sign a standard Participation Agreement, required when registering for each outing.
  • Backcountry outings – participants must fill out a short medical form and provide it to the leader for backcountry outings or where a medical facility is more than one hour away. Forms will be destroyed or returned to the participant immediately following the outing.
  • Minors – the participation agreement must be completed and signed by parent or legal guardian (accompanied or unaccompanied).
  • Leaders may alter the destination or cancel a trip due to weather, unfavorable conditions, or insufficient number of participants.  The trip leader will contact you via the information you provided during registration.
  • Leaders reserve the right to turn away anyone whose experience or equipment appears unsuitable.
  • Dogs are permitted only if specifically noted in the trip details.
  • Bring water, lunch, sturdy hiking boots or shoes and clothing suitable for the weather.
  • All mileages are round-trip.

Interested in being a trip leader? Contact Outings Chair Terry Owen.

 
Click here for instructions on registering for an outing through the calendar
Registration for outings is through our online calendar only.
  • Select the appropriate month by using the left and right arrow buttons
  • Locate the event or outing for which you’d like to register
  • Click on the name of the outing or event and a registration form window will open
  • Provide the requested information in the registration form. Upon completion, click on the red “Submit” button at the bottom of the form.
  • If a liability waiver (participation agreement) is required to participate in the outing, a subsequent form will appear. Read and acknowledge the waiver (participants under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian to complete the form with them) by checking the appropriate boxes at the bottom of the form. If you wish to submit a paper form instead, please request the form in advance from the Outings Leader listed in the announcement. Otherwise, click on the box labeled “Submit Digital Waiver”.
Click here to sign up for the Northern Group outings newsletter
You can send a message from your email account to listserv@lists.sierraclub.org, with the subject SUBSCRIBE RIO-NORTH-OUTINGS OR fill out the form below.
Click here for a current outings list

Please visit the calendar to register for any of these events.

March 2024

Tuesday, March 19: Zero Waste E-recycling Tour. 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Albuquerque Computer and Electronics Recycling Company. Come find out what you can e-recycle beyond just computers and cell phones and what happens to them. Meet in their parking lot by 9:50 a.m. to sign in. We will be standing the whole time, so wear comfortable closed-toed shoes. Register by March 10. Limit: 12 people. Contact Laurie if you need or can give a ride.

Wednesday, March 20: Dog Bosque Walk at Durand Open Space. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Welcome to the beautiful South Valley! Durand Open Space provides excellent access to forest paths and river views. Let’s take a small group with our dogs and enjoy the Bosque. We’ll do a 3 mile loop, stopping at a secret beach for some playtime and then take a break at the covered picnic area: bring a lunch or snack; treats/water for the pups. Dogs must be leashed, well behaved and good with other dogs nearby.

Saturday, March 23: Birdwatching and Much More! Meet at Sevilleta National wildlife refuge visitor center parking lot at 40 Refuge Road, San Acacia, NM 87831 at 9:00 am. The visitors center may not be open but we can walk on nature trail, then stop at New Mexico tech mineral museum and campus. Then we will drive to Bosque Del Apache for birdwatching and maybe see Javelinas, then stop at Buckhorn tavern for green chile cheeseburgers and travel back to ABQ. Return to Albuquerque late afternoon. No dogs.

April 2024

Thursday, April 4: Sand Canyon-Trail of the Ancients Hike. 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 Mc Elmo Creek Road (CR G). This loop hike will be over sections of the Sand Canyon and Rock Creek trails with connectors. Trailhead elevation 5400 ft. This 3-4 hour 5 mile hike will travel over a rocky, sandy, sometimes packed, sometimes slickrock trail through pinyon-juniper ecosystem with an elevation gain of 400 ft. Trail passes several Ancestral Puebloan Ruins, many of which are accessible and inter-active.

Friday, April 5: Sierra Club and Beer – Sustainable Albuquerque. Is Sustainability a buzz word or a necessity? Learn about the City of Albuquerque’s program to take essential steps to make the City more sustainable, a true necessity! Come learn how close the City is to its 100% renewable goal; hear about and weigh in on mobile source solutions; see how composting and food waste diversion can save the world! Our guest speaker, Ann Simon, Deputy Director of Policy and Sustainability Officer for the City of Albuquerque will be discussing how the 2021 Climate Action Plan is driving efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in three key areas, the built environment, transportation, and materials management and waste.

Saturday, April 6: Intro to Land Navigation. This hands-on three-hour class on the use of map and compass for land navigation will teach you the basics you need to get you on your way or be a refresher for those whose skills have grown rusty. Participants must be prepared for varying weather conditions and bring an Aspen Basin Quad topographical map available at USFS or US Geological Survey or at some outdoor stores, and a basic magnetic compass. Meet at 11:00 a.m. at Winsor Trailhead, Santa Fe Ski Basin. No dogs please. Children 14 and over with parent or legal guardian are welcome.

Tuesday, April 9: Easy Hike to Explore the Valle de Oro NWR. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 10:00. Refuge staff will tell us the history and plan for these 570 beautifully undeveloped acres in the South Valley. We will then board the electric shuttle so we can access the Bosque for a 2 mile stroll and check on the Rio Grande. Our easy amble hike back will include stops at the many murals and mosaic art works. No dogs.

Saturday, April 13: Introduction to Land Navigation. Sponsored by the Military Outdoor Program and all are welcome. This hands-on seven-hour class on the use of map and compass for land navigation will teach you the basics you need to get you on your way, or be a refresher for those whose skills have grown rusty. We’ll use a combination of classroom and outdoor instruction to help you practice this skill that is critical for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Participants must be prepared and dressed appropriately for prevailing weather conditions and be able to hike at least two miles over rugged terrain.

Saturday, April 20 – Sunday, April 21 Rio Puerco Archaeology Service Project. This outing is sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and everyone is welcome to join. Celebrate Earth Day weekend by learning first-hand about the geology and archaeology of the Rio Puerco basin near San Ysidro, NM. We will backpack approximately 3 miles into the backcountry and go with BLM staff archaeologists on a guided tour of the area’s cultural resources. Saturday evening we’ll enjoy camping under the stars and learning more about the area’s history. Sunday morning, we will continue our efforts until lunch, then we will depart.

Sunday, April 21: Earth Day Energy Guide Activist Event. The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter is partnering with many Albuquerque area groups to bring you Earth Day Festival 2024, with a focus on household electrification and how to maximize rebates and incentives.  Help our community learn about rebates and incentives to electrify and weatherize homes! Sign up for an Energy Guide shift at 2024 Earth Day Festival on April 21 at the Balloon Fiesta Park. Sierra Club volunteers will serve as Energy Guides to help people connect with Energy Experts at booths focused on electrification and rebates and tax benefits.

Friday, April 26: SC Gilman – Fenton Lake – Jemez Springs Drive with Photo Stops. Meet promptly at 9:00 a.m. in Bernalillo to carpool. Join us for a pleasant dose of nature and fresh air and camaraderie. This approximately 6-hour outing includes one hour of driving each way from departure point, along lovely winding mountain roads, Highway 4 and Forest Road 604 along the Rio Guadalupe and Rio Cebolla, then Road 126, and back to Highway 4. Photo stops at the Gilman tunnels and Fenton Lake, then lunch in Jemez Springs at Highway 4 Cafe. This is a lovely drive in a beautiful area, your photos are bound to be spectacular.

May 2024

Saturday, May 4: Spring Birds Along the Animas River in Farmington. Spring Birds Along the Animas River in Farmington, about three miles round trip, along trails on flat terrain. We will compare the birds we find with lists of resident and migrant species discovered last spring. Eighteen year olds and up only. No dogs please. Limit of 7 people, as this is a joint trip with the Colorado Mountain Club.

Thursday, May 9: Hovenweep Hopalong. This bike/hike outing is listed as moderate-strenuous.  Participants should be able to ride 5 miles on a 5% uphill grade, and walk a mile in 25 minutes.

Saturday, May 11: Yoga In The Mountains. Come celebrate the day with us. If you’d like to explore the wonders of nature, hiking and outdoor yoga in the company of really nice people this is the hike! We’ll embark on an easy ~3 mile hike that incorporates a one hour outdoor yoga and mindfulness break midway. Includes 300 feet of elevation gain and amazing views of the mountains. Everyone is welcome! Limited to 15 participants, children over the age of 12 are welcome when accompanied by parent or legal guardian.

Tuesday, May 14: Zero Waste Tour of Magpie Motors. Come learn about and test drive a used EV. Dave, the dealer, loves to talk about the benefits of EV ownership even if you’re not ready to buy. We will be out in the parking lot, mostly standing so dress for the weather with comfortable shoes and a hat. Bring a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance if you would like to test drive a car. If you need or can give a ride contact the trip leader.

Friday, May 17: Las Conchas Trail Hike along the Jemez River East Fork. This outing includes one hour of driving each way along the lovely winding Highway 4. This easy pine forest hike alongside the mountain stream is approximately 3 miles round trip with 50 feet of elevation gain. Join us for a dose of nature and camaraderie. Bring your own water and lunch, hat, 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.

Wednesday, May 29: Gutierrez Hubbell House and Lunch at Abuelita’s. Easy hike with a bit of South Valley culture. Visit the Gutierrez Hubbell House (GHH) Open Space, a fine example of adobe architecture dating back to the 1860s. The property includes 10 acres, much of which is farmed and also fed by an historic acequia. We will walk the perimeter trail, an easy 1 mile loop. Then we will tour the museum.

Friday, May 31: Wild Rivers Recreation Area Service Project. Friday – Sunday. This outing is sponsored by the Military Outdoors Program and everyone is welcome to join. Here’s your chance to give back to the Land of Enchantment. We’ll meetup at a group campsite at Wild Rivers Recreation Area on Friday afternoon and enjoy campfire therapy in the evening. Bring your van, tent or small RV to spend the night. On Saturday we’ll conduct light trail maintenance and then enjoy another evening under the stars. On Sunday, we’ll go for a hike or bike ride, clean up the campsite and then depart by noon. Participants should be in relatively good physical condition, be able to hike at least 3 miles and be able to use various hand tools to conduct trail maintenance.

June 2024

Saturday, June 1: Early Summer Birds Along the Animas River in Farmington. Join Mike Foster for birdwatching, about three miles round trip, along trails on flat terrain. Leisurely pace. We will compare the birds we find with lists of resident and migrant species discovered last spring and summer, as well as last month. Eighteen year olds and up only.

Friday, June 7: Sierra Club and Beer-Wandering in the Clear Light of New Mexico. David Ryan (coauthor of the most recent edition of 60 Hikes) will be speaking at the about his new book Wandering in the Clear Light of New Mexico. Wandering in the Clear Light of New Mexico expands upon the themes of exploring and wandering found within the 60 Hikes book to include the entire state.

Tuesday, June 18: Zero Waste Tour of FUSE Makerspace. Have you ever wanted to make or fix something but didn’t have the right equipment? This makerspace has a 3D printer, laser cutter, carpentry equipment, and more. Come see what they have, how to learn to operate them and their flexible membership offerings. Comfortable closed-toed shoes are recommended.

Quick links

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