Get Outdoors!

Backpacker Checklist

Outing Policies - Includes info on Liability Waiver

Outing Ratings - What does easy, moderate and strenuous mean?

July

• July 18th – 19th - Day Hiking/Bat Viewing/Star Gazing/ Caving at Selman Living Lab Near Freedom, OK,
  Outing Description and Itinerary: The Selman Living Laboratory (SLL) consist of 334 acres, two large caves (one a major hibernaculum for the Cave Myotis), 230 + wildflower species, 20 species of prairie fish in Salty Creek, an astronomy observatory, bunkhouses for overnight student groups and researchers, and more. This will be a rare opportunity for people to visit this research property hosted by Dr. Caire, former Dean of the College of Math and Science at UCO and director of the SLL.  The Outing does not officially start till Saturday morning but many of us may want to car pool to the lab on Friday night. On Saturday, the Oklahoma Master Naturalists will join our group. Saturday’s activities may include a plant walk, a short trip though a section of the hibernating cave, an evening of watching the SPECTACULAR stream of Mexican Free-tail mother and baby bats emerge from the maternity cave for feeding. Saturday night Dr. Steve Maier, Associate Professor of Physics at NW –OSU, will open the observatory for star gazing through the lab’s telescope. Sunday morning, after our traditional BIG breakfast, we’ll work on any projects around the lab. Alabaster Caverns, The Sod House Museum, The Little Sierra State Park, Freedom OK, and many other places are nearby to visit on the way home.
  Led by Adrianne Holmes. 405-715-0811 hm, adrianneholmes@sbcglobal.net Full Selman info in this pdf
   

August

• Saturday, August 8 – Sunday, August 16, 2009. Backpack the Latir Peak Wilderness, full Latir Peak Wilderness info this pdf.
   
• August 8th, Saturday. Winery Tour and Lunch. Drumright and Stroud are drawing their share of Sierrans! Following up on the successful Drumright winery event last spring and the berry picking in Stroud in the summer, we will be returning to the area for a day of touring multiple wineries and having lunch to go along with the tasting. More details coming. Contact is Jim and Sue Posey, jipose@brightok.net.
   
• August 29th –30th, Friday & Saturday. Turtle Rock Retreat and Sustainability Center.  Pat McFerron and Ann Hoerth, the sisters who run the Center, are welcoming us to come and be of service on their farm and in turn, to eat and play and explore nature with them for a day, or overnight, if you wish. Please check out their website and set this day or weekend aside to give back as well as to be enriched by time away from daily life. Contact Lynn Malley, lynn.malley@gmail.com. Home (405) 372-1860.
   

September

• September TBA: Map and Compass Training & Elk Bugling Tour, Wichita Mountains, OK. If you are interested in taking this course, please Adrianne Holmes, adrianneholmes@sbcglobal.net Home 405-715-0811 or Rick Wicker, rickowick39@yahoo.com.
   
• September 25-27, Friday – Sunday. Greenburg Kansas Service, Greenburg, KS This is a community service trip to help them recover from the tornado that wiped out their town a few years ago. Led by Rick Wicker rickowick39@yahoo.com
   

October

• October 5-8 23 mile Backpack – 4 days on trail. This hike is a combination of the hike #12 and hike #14 found in “Hiking Grand Staircase Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region” by Ron Adkison. From the text: “This premium 3 to 4 day trip surveys what is arguably the most attractive segment of the 52 mile long Grand Gulch, one of the top backcountry destinations in the Glen Canyon Region. … The natural beauty of Grand Gulch makes it the jewel in the crown of Cedar Mesa Canyons, yet there is even more to Grand Gulch that makes is such an outstanding backcountry destination. The Gulch is an outdoor museum of the Anasazi culture that is unsurpassed on the Colorado Plateau in the number and variety of accessible sties.”  Leader: david@keyevado.com - complete Grand Gluch Info in this pdf (note: signup closes September 19th)
   
• October 24- 25th, Saturday & Sunday. Birds and Burgers, Stillwater, OK.  Enjoy the day birding on Les & Pat Imboden’s ranch and then feast on delicious burgers. Contact Les Imboden, lesnpat@yahoo.com. Home 405-533-1532.
   

November

• November 7th & 8th, Saturday & Sunday. Family Camping at Cedar Lake, OK. Lets enjoy the fall colors at Cedar Lake with a family car camping outing. This will be an EASY outing --perfect for Sierra Cubs. The official beginning will be at noon on Saturday at Group Camp Site # 1. We will caravan to the Beech Creek trail about 15 miles from the camp site to enjoy an easy 2.5 - 4 mile leisurely hike before returning for an evening of family camping fun. The official end of the trip will be about 10 AM Sunday as we break camp. Many of us will travel Friday to the camp site and all are welcome to camp together Friday night before the official trip/hike begins on Sat. Also, it is customary when having a Sierra outing in SE OK, to stop at Pete's in Krebs for a group Italian meal in route home. A complete outing supplement to follow.  Contact Richard Coker.  richard5823@sbcglobal.net. Cell 405-625-7087.

December

• December 4th – 6th. Wilderness Survival Techniques Training.  Near Newcastle, OK. This is a tentative date. For more information contact Adrianne Holmes, adrianneholmes@sbcglobal.net. Home 405-715-0811.
   

 

The Outings Committee meets the second Sunday of the month, at various members’ homes. Contact Doug Hill: 405-476-7222 or Isawwood925@aol.com  for details.