Fort Worth Sierra members on an outing at Brazos Bend State Park

Fort Worth Sierra Outings

June 19 (Fri) Arlington Sierra Club Daytime Meeting, 2:30-4PM.
An informal discussion on various environmental issues among like-minded people over a cup of coffee or tea. Latecomers welcome. Location: Tin Cup, 1025 W Abram, Arlington, TX 76107. For more info or to be added to email notification for this group, contact tceaprez@yahoo.com

June 22 (Mon) Mid-Suburban Sierra Club, 7PM.
CANCELLED!!!

November 11 - 15, Annual Trip to Big Bend National Park
Join the Sierra again for a trip to Big Bend National Park. We will have a base camp option located in the Chisos Basin and a backpacking option on the Marufa Vega trail (one of the best in the park). We will be traveling by 15 passenger van leaving early Wednesday morning and returning late Sunday evening. The cost will be $175. Contact Todd Nichols (817-937-5217) or James Moody (817-688-3656).

How Outings Work

The Sierra Club has almost 800,000 members and part of our mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth.  Our volunteer-run outings program supports the Sierra Club’s conservation mission by connecting people with the natural world and with the Club. We follow the example of John Muir, the father of our National Park System and Sierra Club founder, who led others to these wild spaces.  By taking others on Sierra Club outings, we hope to impart our love of these special places and a commitment to protect them. 

The Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club offers many types of outings (trips) to local areas as well as to surrounding states. Outings may be as short as several hours to a multi-day trip. The types of outings may include urban day hikes, bicycle rides, canoe trips, wilderness backpacks, sea kayak tours or overnight car camping in established campgrounds such as a state park. Our leaders volunteer their time to receive training, plan trips, and to lead these outings. These outings are not-for-profit and support the mission of the Sierra Club. All Sierra Club trips are conducted in accordance with the National Sierra Club Outing Program. 

Our outings are open to members and nonmembers. A list of upcoming outings is provided above and includes pertinent information about each event and a contact person for the event. Most trips require pre-registration and leader approval as indicated in their description. Other outings such as many day hikes do not require prior approval or registration; you just show up. Please contact the leader for details about each trip. 

PLEASE NOTE: All participants on Sierra Club Outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and a liability waiver must be signed by the parent or guardian. If you would like to read the liability waiver before you choose to participate on an Outing, please go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/, or contact the Outings Department at (415) 977-5528 for a printed version.

Also, it is noted that Outings Leaders may limit the number of participants on a trip, and may choose to screen potential participants for experience, conditioning, and suitability for participation. The Outings Leaders' decisions are final. Depending on the strenuous nature of the trip, not all interested people have the necessary skills and conditioning to have an enjoyable trip.

Each outing officially begins at the trailhead. The trip leader cannot assign carpooling for trip participants, but may help to coordinate ridesharing. Some outings to state/national parks or wilderness areas may require an entrance and/or camping fee; each participant will be responsible for paying his own expenses. No radios or firearms are allowed. Pets are not allowed unless indicated in the trip description. 

The Fort Worth Sierra Club does not provide camping equipment such as tents, clothing, backpacks or watercraft for any outing. Each participant is responsible for providing his own equipment. The trip leader will provide details about the equipment and supplies needed for each outing. (provide links to list of equipment). Classes such as map reading and compass instruction, beginner backpacking, and canoeing may be offered by the Outings Committee or listed in our publications to assist members in increasing their outdoor skills. All Fort Worth Sierra Club outings encourage and practice “leave no trace” and low impact to the environment outdoor practices. 

In general, overnight trips or outings to wilderness areas are usually limited to approximately 12 persons and require reservations. This small number helps to minimize our impact to wilderness areas and to provide better opportunities for fellowship. If you must cancel, inform the leader as soon as possible. Urban day hikes are usually not limited to 12 persons. 

If you have questions about the Fort Worth Sierra Club Outings Program or wish to become an outings leader, contact the chairperson at 817-924-6242.