Trips & Events

Current Trip Information

You must be a current member of Desert Survivors to join in with one of these trips. Each membership applies to one individual adult. For reasons of liability insurance coverage each adult trip participant must have his or her own individual membership. Children 17 years and younger participating on a trip will be covered by the adult parent or legal guardian's Desert Survivors membership. Trip participants are required a sign a relase of liability form at the beginning of each trip.

If you are new to Desert Survivors or contemplating joining one of our interesting desert trips as a new member please read General Trip Information at the bottom of this page.

Many of our popular trips, particularly car camps on 3 day holiday weekends, tend to fill early and quickly, so plan accordingly. We ask that if you do secure a reservation with a trip leader, please be sure to use it, but if you cannot keep the reservation then advise the trip leader immediately to allow someone on standby to take the open slot.

Our backpacking trips tend not to fill to maximum at all times and may have an open space or two. If you find yourself with an open weekend and want to join in, try phoning the trip leader, space may still be available.

A trip leader may ask that you contact them directly by telephone. This enables the leader to assess your skills and abilities and to answer any questions you may have. Your safety and enjoyment while on the trip is just one of their many concerns. They want you have fun and the trip to be a rewarding experience. This also enables the trip leaders to build a "balanced group" that will enhance everyone's enjoyment of the trip.

Upon securing a slot for the trip you will be emailed additional information concerning the meeting area, car-pooling, last minute changes, etc.

Click here for your Overnight Backpacking Checklist.

SUMMER AND FALL 2023

DESERT SURVIVORS TRIPS & EVENTS

Trip leaders may add trips during the schedule period. Refer to this webpage for updates.
Ratings: (E) EASY (M) MODERATE (S) STRENUOUS

UPCOMING TRIPS AND EVENTS

These trips and events are for current Desert Survivors members.

Lapsed in your membership? Want to join? Please go to THIS PAGE.

June 16-18, 2023 (Fri-Sun)

MASSACRE RIM - DARK SKY SANCTUARY CAR CAMP (M) Washoe County, Nevada.

We will botanize by day and stargaze at night atop the Massacre Rim plateau in far northern Nevada. Spring flowers should be near their peak, and we will work to document and post on iNaturalist what is here in this severely under-botanized area of the map.

Designated in 2019 as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary (there are only 17 recognized in the world), a new moon will give us a spectacular viewing opportunity before satellite swarms and space junk ruin the sky forever. If we are lucky, we may see bighorns and petroglyphs as we explore this remote Wilderness Study Area. Requires a high clearance vehicle or a seat in one. Limit 6 vehicles.

Contact leader: Dave Oline olined@sou.edu (458) 658-7307

MORE DESERT SURVIVORS TRIPS AND ZOOM PRESENTATIONS ARE IN THE PLANNING. EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEW TRIPS AND EVENTS WILL BE SENT TO ALL DESERT SURVIVORS MEMBERS. PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE TOO.

July 12, 2023 – Wednesday, 7:00-8:30PM Pacific time

DESERT BOOK DISCUSSION, via Zoom

The book for this month's meeting will be Sahara Unveiled, A Journey Across the Desert by William Langewiesche, (1996).

"In a narrative studded with gemlike discourses on subjects that range from the physics of sand dunes to the history of the Tuareg nomads, William Langewiesche introduces us to the Sahara's merchants, smugglers, fixers, and expatriates. Eloquent and precise, Sahara Unveiled blends history and reportage, anthropology and anecdote, into an unforgettable portrait of the world's most romanticized yet most forbidding desert.”

Contact Chuck McGinn, cemcginn@gmail.com

August 5–6, 2023 (Sat-Sun)

SIERRA CLUB DESERT COMMITTEE MEETING (E) White Mountains, Inyo County, CA

During the summer the Sierra Club Desert Committee beats the heat by holding its meeting at high-altitude (7,300 ft) in the White Mountains. The weekend will feature speakers on a wide variety of issues toward preserving our deserts as vital wilderness. You will learn much and meet great people. All Desert Survivors are encouraged to attend. The general public is welcome. Contact Nick Blake for more information nblake5@sbcglobal.net

October 8-14, 2023 (Sun-Sat, seven days)

LONESOME MINER TRAIL BACKPACK (S) Inyo Mountain Range

The classic Desert Survivor backpack⎯where it all began in the Inyo Mountains. The hike starts at the Pat Keyes trailhead in Owens Valley and we will traverse the Inyo Range, heading south-east direction, dropping into and climbing out of several of the canyons, and eventually coming out in Saline Valley via Little Hunter Canyon. All of the canyons have mining trails, mills, and other historic sites, and we will explore many of them. We will reach a water source once every day, but you must be able to carry a 1-1/2-day supply (about 12 pounds) for part of the hike. There is an option to spend the night after we finish at Saline Valley hot springs. Car-shuttle required. Limit 6. Contact Stacy Goss: stacy.goss@comcast.net

SAVE THE DATE - October 25-29 2023 (Weds-Sun)

DESERT SURVIVORS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND RETREAT AT THE GOFFS SCHOOLHOUSE (E-M) Mojave Desert

This year we will hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM) retreat in the historic Mojave town of Goff's, CA. Plans are in the works for a fun and interesting time with plenty of desert botany, zoology, geology, desert-themed seminars and hiking. Details of this event will be sent to all Desert Survivors members by September 2023.

Covid-19 Safety Policies for Desert Survivors Trips

The welfare of Desert Survivors members is a paramount concern in all of our activities. For this reason, to participate on in-person trips is we encourage members to be vaccinated for Covid-19, including boosters. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) urges all people age 12 and older to get vaccinated for Covid-19, including boosters, and says the vaccines are safe and effective in preventing the disease, as well as reducing the symptoms of Covid-19 if a vaccinated person is infected.

At the time of this writing the CDC is allowing vaccinated people to take part in activities as they did prior to the pandemic. Most Desert Survivors trips take place outdoors where the risk or possible transmission of the disease is greatly reduced. Trip participants who wish to take the greater precaution of wearing a mask while outdoors or at any time, are welcome to do so.

If you develop Covid-19 symptoms shortly before a trip please stay home. If Covid-19 symptoms arise during the trip, please tell the trip leader as soon as possible.

Desert Survivors encourages carpooling for travel to and from our excursions. If you plan to carpool, please work out in advance any Covid-19 mask measures you wish fellow car poolers to practice. If you are uncomfortable sharing your vehicle with others please drive alone.

These Desert Survivors Covid-19 polices, follow the best information available at the time of this writing. The Covid-19 pandemic is an ever-changing crisis. These safety protocols are subject to modification at any time, and could include requiring proof of vaccination, mask wearing or the cancellation of the trips.

Desert Survivors appreciates your patience and understanding as we wrestle with how best conduct in-person trips and events while keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Annual membership ($30) required for each adult trip participant. Beginning January 2019 each spouse of a married couple, who participates in a Desert Survivors trip, will need to pay the $30 annual membership fee. The membership fee is not required if the participant has Honorary Membership status, or if the participant is the minor child of Desert Survivors member. A $35 donation (new price) may also be requested by the leader at the trailhead. This donation is voluntary. Each participant must sign a general liability waiver and to list emergency contacts before departing on the trip. Trips are cooperative in nature. Some trips may be exploratory (not previewed by trip leader). Conditions may be difficult and the unexpected may occur. Consult with leader for details before deciding to go on trip. Trip sign-up procedure: You must call or write leader in advance to reserve space and receive a map and detailed trip description. Leader will confirm your sign-up. Due to past instances where participants signed up for a trip and did not show, a trip leader may require a $20 reservation fee. Trip participants will learn if the fee is required during the confirmation with the leader. This fee will be refunded at the trailhead.

• As noted in trip write-ups above, some leaders have set limits to the number of participants.
• Sign-ups are first come, first served. A waiting list will be maintained to fill any spaces that arise due to drop-outs. Please notify the leader ahead of time if you are dropping out.
• Desert Survivors encourages trip participants to carpool as a means to increase driver safety while reducing costs, energy consumption and environmental impacts. Trip participants are responsible for making their own carpool arrangements. Desert Survivors recommends that trip participants make equitable arrangements to share costs, and all arrangements and financial compensation should be clearly negotiated in advance.
• Desert Survivors' trips begin at the designated trailhead. While trip participants are expected to cooperate with the trip leader, each participant is responsible for his or her own safety. In particular, trip participants are responsible for safely transporting themselves to and from trip locals.
• Firearms are not allowed on any Desert Survivors activities (trips, events, meetings.)

EXPERIENCE. SHARE. PROTECT.

Trips & Events

Current Trip Information