Join a Sierra Club hut work party

Snow may not be on your mind; but the Sierra Club's huts need your attention after Labor Day if they are to serve yet another season of backcountry ski and snowshoe visitors. Volunteer work parties cut and stock firewood, tighten roof screws and window seals, and make general repairs during weekends in September and October. Here's your chance to get outdoors, contribute a few hours to a 70-year tradition, and meet some people who share your interests and values.

There are four huts stretching between Peter Grubb, three miles north of I-80 at Donner Summit, and Ludlow, on the northern edge of Desolation Wilderness. You'll need to hike to Peter Grubb and to Benson, on the Sierra Crest three miles south of the Sugar Bowl ski resort. It's possible to drive to the other two, though good clearance and four-wheel drive may be advantageous, depending on road conditions.

Each work party consists of a Saturday and a Sunday, with a free stay at Clair Tappaan Lodge in Norden the Friday night before; Saturday breakfast at CTL and all meals at the hut are provided at no charge. Tools and equipment are also provided by the Club. No experience is necessary; all you need is gear for a simple overnight backpack trip, clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and a healthy attitude toward manual labor. If interested, contact one of the people below.

Sep. 15 - 16 - Peter Grubb (built 1938 - 9)
Hal Tompkins
tompkins@slac.stanford.edu
or Joan Marshall
marshall_joan1234@yahoo.com

Sep. 22 - 23 - Benson (with beautiful views east and west from 8350')
Jim Gannon
jgannon99@sbcglobal.net
(707)321-8282

Sep. 29 - 30 - Peter Grubb (most popular of the four)
Tim Keenan
iamtnr@comcast.net
(916)204-6901

Oct. 6 - 7 - Ludlow (near Richardson Lake)
Tanya Dragan
tanya_dragan@intuit.com
(775)247-6170

Oct. 13 - 14 - Bradley (rebuilt in late 1990s in the Pole Creek drainage)
Joel Brody
jrbrody@sbcglobal.net
(510)531-6566 or (510)409-6432

Oct. 20 - 21 - contingency (in case of weather postponement or unexpected work)
Tanya Dragan
tanya_dragan@intuit.com
(775)247-6170