Dallas Regional Group Collegiate Peaks

Backpacking Trip Monday, July 25 –Thursday, July 28, 2016

Backpackers with experience are invited to a four-day, three-night adventure in the Collegiate Peaks region of Colorado.

WHERE? Our trailheads are in San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests, west of Buena Vista, slightly west of Colorado’s geographic center, in the Sawatch Range of the Rockies. Both hike options cross the Continental Divide. On the picture at right, our starting trailheads are near Mount Yale. WHEN? The outing begins Monday morning, July 25, at the starting trailhead and ends Thursday afternoon, July 28, at the ending trailhead. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the trailheads and must allow time before and after the outing for travel. Drive time from Dallas is approximately 13 hours (780 miles) plus stops. We don’t recommend driving this distance in one day. Instead, allow time for restful sleep and adjustment to high altitude before beginning the hike. Flying to Denver and renting a car to the trailhead is another travel option. The drive from the Denver Airport takes about 3½ hours via US Highway 285. AREA DESCRIPTION: The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area includes eight of Colorado’s 54 fourteeners. More are just outside its boundaries. Although our hike routes don’t summit any fourteeners, we’ll hike within an elevation range of 9,300’ to 12,600’, putting us in alpine terrain above the tree line for part of our days. The Collegiate Peaks are part of the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. The Sawatch forms the Continental Divide and it includes Colorado’s two highest peaks, Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, just north of the Collegiate Peaks. The Sawatch landscape was formed as colliding land masses thrust up immense blocks of rock and glaciers scoured cirques and U-shaped valleys. Glacial melt dropped silt onto outwash plains, now the relatively flat slopes at the base of the mountains, clearly visible near Buena Vista and the upper Arkansas River valley.

TWO HIKE OPTIONS: Texas Creek Hike: After shuttling a vehicle to the Timberline Trailhead, the hike starts at the Denny Creek Trailhead (elevation 9,900’). The group hikes 3 miles to make camp at Hartenstein Lake, (11,500’). Next day the group hikes over Brown’s Pass (12,000’) on the Continental Divide and then down to camp by Texas Creek (10,800’), a distance of about 4½ miles. On day 3, this trek hikes downstream along Texas Creek, about 5½ miles to another camp at 9,900’. Depending on time, weather and energy, the group will make a 3-mile round trip day hike to the Texas Lakes on either day 3 or 4. The trek concludes with a 3-mile climb to the Timberline Trailhead (10,700’) on day 4 and a return to the vehicles left at the starting trailhead. Total backpacking distance is about 16 miles, with another 3 miles for day hiking. This trek is moderately strenuous. Leader: Arthur Kuehne, 214.608.3210. Click to send email. Kroenke Lake Hike: This hike nearly circles 14,196’ Mount Yale. After shuttling a vehicle to the Avalanche Trailhead, the hike begins at the Denny Creek Trailhead (elevation 9,900’). The group hikes 3 miles to make camp at Hartenstein Lake, (11,500’). Next day the group hikes to Brown’s Pass (12,000’) on the Continental Divide and continues to climb via switchbacks. After reaching a maximum altitude of nearly 12,600’ and crossing the Divide twice again, the trek descends to camp by sub-alpine Kroenke Lake (11,500’), making a daily distance of about 5 miles. Day 3 is a downhill hike of approximately 6 miles, through a glaciated valley with vast meadow to a camp near the day’s low elevation of 9,400’, near a junction of the rough North Cottonwood Creek Road with the Colorado Trail. On day 4, the hike climbs south on the Colorado Trail to 11,900’ before descending to the Avalanche trailhead (9,400’). Day 4 distance is about 6 ½ miles. Total distance hiked will be about 21 miles. This trek is rated strenuous. Leader: Annie Wilson, 682.232.4980. Click to send email. COST: The Dallas Sierra Club is charging no fee to participate in this outing. Places on the trip are limited. Neither trek option will exceed twelve participants. To secure a place and to discourage cancellations that prevent others from making timely registration to participate, we require a security deposit of $70 per registrant, payable to “Dallas Sierra Club.” Your deposit is refundable upon outing participation. Conversely, if you don’t participate, your security deposit will be retained as a cancellation fee. The Dallas Sierra Club has reserved campsites to accommodate participants on the night before the outing (Sunday, July 24) and group cabins sufficient for as many as ten or twenty people on the night the outing ends (Thursday, July 28). These accommodations are optional. If you wish to utilize them, you may apply your full security deposit toward the optional accommodations. OPTIONAL PRE-OUTING AND POST-OUTING ACCOMMODATIONS: Sunday, July 24: We have reserved and prepaid fees ($29 per site) for eight campsites at the Collegiate Peaks Campground, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The campground is between the Avalanche and Denny Creek Trailheads. It’s 11 miles west of Buena Vista on the Cottonwood Pass Road (County Road 306). The campground elevation is 9,800’. Two tents are permitted per site. Sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings and grills. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Thursday, July 28: We have reserved two cabins suitable for up to ten people each at the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, 15870 County Road 162, Nathrop, Colorado. Mount Princeton Hot Springs has been well recommended as a place to relax in its creekside naturally hot water. See the resort’s website for more information: http://mtprinceton.com. Each cabin has two bedrooms with queen beds, a loft with two queen beds, a pull-out queen bed in the living room and two bathrooms. Including tax, each cabin is $478.46 and includes complimentary use of the hot springs on the arrival and departure days. Cabin check-in is 3 PM and check-out is 11 AM. Cost-sharing: Actual expenses for the optional pre-outing and post-outing accommodations (less any deposits retained as cancellation fees) will be pro-rated among participants who opt in for the accommodation package. Combined actual costs per person for the two nights could range from $62 to $125, with a likely price around $95 per person. Participants are encouraged to register early because there are limits to the numbers we can accommodate at reserved campsites and cabins and in hiking groups. Page 2 Alternative accommodations: If your outing registration (including the security deposit) has been received and accepted and you don’t opt in for pre-trip and post-trip accommodations, you should arrange your own accommodations for July 24 and 28. Summer is high season in this part of Colorado, so overnight accommodations near the trailheads may become unavailable and prices will be at peak rates. Try to sleep at a high elevation on July 24 to acclimatize to the lower oxygen level. The elevation at Collegiate Peaks Campground is 9,800’. REGISTRATION: After carefully reading this complete trip description: 1. Complete the Medical Form. 2. Complete the Participant Preference and Experience Form. 3. Complete the Release of Liability Form. 4. Mail the three forms and your $70 security deposit check to Trip Coordinator Mark Stein, 3631 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX 75205. Make the check to “Dallas Sierra Club.” Sorry, a copy or email of the release is not acceptable. Our attorneys require an original signature on the release. You are registered after these four items have been received and your participation has been approved by the trip coordinator and leaders, who may contact you to discuss your previous backpacking experience or health. If the leaders find this outing unsuitable for you, the Club will return your deposit. Cancellation Policy: Notify the trip coordinator if you must cancel. See the Travel Insurance paragraph below. On rare occasions the Dallas Sierra Club must cancel or change trips. The Dallas Sierra Club is not responsible for airfares or other payments you incur that are a consequence of a trip cancellation or change. Travel Insurance: We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance to cover non-refundable expenses in the event you or the Dallas Sierra Club cancels a trip, medical expenses incurred on a trip, and possible medical evacuation from a trip. CAR POOLS: To avoid liability, the Sierra Club and its leaders do not assign people to car pools. If you’d consider forming or joining car pool, the trip coordinator can exchange your interest and contact information with other participants. It’s a good idea to agree before the trip about how transportation expenses will be shared and whether you plan to camp or stay in motels on the outbound and inbound drives. Transportation is ultimately your own responsibility.

Mount Yale from the Arkansas River valley PREPARATIONS, RULES AND CAUTIONS: Experience and Conditioning: This outing is for people who have backpacked before and who are in good physical condition. You and the trip coordinator should be confident of your ability to complete a four-day hike at high altitude. Backpacking at high altitude is more difficult than backpacking at elevations near sea level. Your body requires time to adjust to air with less oxygen. Contact the trip coordinator or one of the trip leaders to discuss your readiness. Gear: Each person is responsible for bringing his or her own equipment and food. Arranging to share with a friend is fine. Contact the trip coordinator or trip leaders before departure if you’d like advice about gear. If your loaded pack weighs more than 25 or 30 pounds before water, you should probably lighten your load. Basic Equipment: Tent and ground cloth. Sleeping bag suitable for early morning temperatures near freezing. Ground pad to insulate you from cold ground. Backpack with hip belt. Water containers and water treatment tablets (or filter). Headlamp (more satisfactory than a flashlight). Whistle. Sunscreen. First-aid kit, including moleskin or burn pads for blisters. Lightweight trowel, toilet paper and plastic bags for used

Page 3 toilet paper. Personal items. 30 to 40 feet of cord and a waterproof sack so you can bear-bag your food, trash and toiletries. If your trip includes a day hike, carry a lightened load in your pack for the day hike or bring a day pack to carry your “ten essentials,” lunch and personal items you may need. Clothing: Lightweight, versatile layers are key to comfort, given the probable temperature range from 30 to 70 degrees. Five layers for your torso are recommended (including a rain/wind shell) and two layers for your legs. (One of those layers should be rain pants, which can double as thermal protection.) Cotton and denim are chilly and heavy when wet. Wear tested boots and two layers of socks (thin synthetic sock on the inside to preclude blisters), gloves and a cap to keep your head warm at night. You’ll need a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for UV protection. Lightweight water shoes (Crocs or similar) for camp or stream crossings are probably advisable. Food: Count the meals you’ll eat in camp and on the trail and pack accordingly. Bring a lightweight burner with fuel for cooking unless you plan to share cooking with a friend. We don’t build fires outside organized campgrounds except in emergencies. This makes leave-no-trace camping easier and avoids ember burns on clothing. Water: We’ll find water every day for every hike, but you’ll need to treat it with tablets, filtration or boiling. Containers for three or four quarts should be ample, although you’ll carry some of those containers empty much of the time. Don’t fill your containers in Dallas, as spills can spoil a trip. Maps: If you’d like your own map of the area, National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps are available from several web sources. Map 129 (Buena Vista and Collegiate Peaks) covers the areas we’ll hike. Leave No Trace: Low-impact wilderness ethics are expected of all participants. All trash must be packed out; human waste buried, and used toilet paper packed out (so bring a zip-lock bag for that purpose). Campfires are not allowed, so bring a small camp stove if you plan hot meals. Smoking, pets and firearms are not allowed. Medical: Our trip leaders are not medical professionals. Participants are encouraged to bring first aid supplies and a basic knowledge of how to deal with medical emergencies. If you have medical training, tell the leaders so he or she can use your skill in an emergency. Inform the leaders if you have a medical condition that could require special treatment (controlled diabetes, heart problems, allergic reactions, etc.) in an emergency. Carry any necessary medications for those conditions on your person and tell others where you store them. If you are extremely allergic to bee stings, poison ivy or anything else we could encounter, ask your doctor if you should carry an antidote kit. If you are blind without your glasses, bring a spare. We will be hiking in a wilderness area, where rescue is difficult and time-consuming. Medical help could be days in arriving. Air evacuations are extremely expensive, and the injured will be responsible for payment of costs. If you have a health condition that could require immediate medical treatment, you should not go on this outing. Group = Safety: It’s important for safety to follow the leaders’ directions. By failing to obey the leader’s instructions, you assume the risks that result. The group should stay together to minimize the chance of someone getting lost or an injured person going unaided. Sierra Club prohibits individuals from leaving the led group (the leader and those participants with the leader) for separate day hiking or other activity. If you leave the group, you do so at your own risk. Participants who leave the led group against leader advice will be asked to sign out of the trip and are no longer part of the trip. Don’t expect the group or the leader to do more than notify authorities if you do not return. The leader’s responsibility is to those who are following him or her, not to those who choose to follow a different route and put themselves at risk. Most deaths in the wilderness occur when a solo hiker becomes incapacitated and dies of hypothermia or dehydration before being found. If someone is injured while away from the led group, leave one or two people and all of the party’s food and warm clothing with the injured person, and send all of the others for help at a trailhead. If you get lost, stop and wait on a trail; don’t wander aimlessly. Leaders are not allowed to search for missing persons at night. They may not put others in the group at risk to look for a lost participant. When leaving camp for even a moment, especially at night, be careful to stay oriented and not lose your way back. Getting lost near camp could create a life-threatening situation if the weather is foul or if not dressed for the cold.

Page 4 Bears: Black bears are present in the Collegiate Peaks region, but they generally don’t associate humans and places to find food. Keep it that way for the sake of humans and bears!  Bring food that doesn’t have strong aromas.  Prepare meals away from your sleeping area.  Each night, pack your food and trash in either a bear canister or a water-tight bag to be suspended from a tree where a bear cannot reach it. Don’t store these items in your tent.  Don’t pour oil used in cooking onto the ground. Eat it or pack it out.  Disperse cooking water over a wide area, away from camp.  Don’t bury your trash. Bears and other mammals can dig. If you encounter a bear or mountain lion, group together, make lots of noise, waive your arms, and look mean. Don’t run. Do not turn your back to a mountain lion – keep facing it. Give the animal an escape route if you have accidentally cornered it. If you are between a bear and her cubs, slowly move away from both. Keep Calm: The Dallas Sierra Club has conducted trips such as those described above for 35 years without any serious injuries. If you are in reasonably good physical condition and have experience and skills suitable for the trip you have selected), you should be reasonably safe. The preceding cautions and disclosures of risk are intended to give you information for an informed decision as to whether you should participate. Hopefully, they will also encourage those who participate to act with care so we can all have a good time. CST 2087766-40: Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. (California has a law called the California "Seller of Travel" Law. (Since Sierra Club is a California non-profit corporation, we are required to post this notice.) QUESTIONS about the trip or your acceptance may be directed to the trip coordinator, Mark Stein, 214.526.3733, [email protected], or to a trip leader.

Keep scanning down for the three forms you need for registration. Mail them with you deposit of $70 payable to “Dallas Sierra Club” to Trip Coordinator Mark Stein, 3631 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX 75205

Page 5 Dallas Sierra Club Medical Form

Please fill in this form as accurately as possible. It is essential for leaders to evaluate individual and group health needs as part of trip planning, and for use during emergencies. After reviewing this form, the leader may contact you to discuss whether the trip will be safe and enjoyable for you considering your medical history. We will keep the information on this form confidential. It will be seen only by leaders, medical personnel, or others who know and understand its confidential nature. This form will be destroyed following the trip. If you choose not to go on the trip, this form will be destroyed immediately.

General Information

First Name: Last Name: Nickname:

Address: Gender:

City: State: Zip:

Home Phone: Work Phone: Mobile Phone:

Email Address: Date of Birth:

Height: Weight: Blood Pressure: / Resting Heart Rate: bpm

Emergency Contact: Relationship:

Home Phone: Work Phone: Mobile Phone:

Secondary Emergency Contact: Relationship:

Home Phone: Work Phone: Mobile Phone:

Evacuation and Medical Insurance Information We strongly encourage you to have medical and evacuation insurance and to bring your insurance card or other documentation with you on the trip. Evacuation Insurance Medical Insurance Company Name: Company Name: Policy Number: Policy Number: Contact Phone Number: Contact Phone Number:

Allergies Include medicines, foods, animals, insect bites and stings, and environment (dust, pollen, etc.).  NONE Allergy Reaction Medication Required (if any)

Continued on next page . . .

Page 6 (Medical Form – Page 2) Medical History Please list all prescription, over-the-counter, and natural medications you are taking. Use a separate sheet if necessary. Medication Name Dosage Frequency Side Effects (known & potential) Reason for Taking

Do you currently have, or have a history with, the following conditions (explain in blank and use separate sheet if necessary):  Yes  No Respiratory problems, Asthma, Do you smoke  Yes  No Diabetes  Yes  No Gastrointestinal problems  Yes  No Cardiac problems, Hypertension  Yes  No Neurological problems, Seizures  Yes  No Vision or Eye problems  Yes  No Hearing problems  Yes  No Bone, Joint, Muscle problems  Yes  No Head trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury  Yes  No Substance Abuse, Anxiety, Depression  Yes  No If female: Are you pregnant  Yes  No Have you had an illness within the last 12 months  Yes  No Have you had surgery or been hospitalized in the last 12 months  Yes  No Have you ever had problems related to exposure to altitude  Yes  No Any other health complaint or medical issue that would affect your participation in this trip If YES, please explain

Date of last tetanus immunization: Date of most recent physical: Physician's name: Phone number: Address: Please have physician sign if your leader requires a physical prior to trip Physician's signature: Date:

The information provided here is a complete and accurate statement of any physical and psychological conditions that may affect my participation on this trip. I realize that failure to disclose such information could result in serious harm to myself and other participants. I agree to inform my trip leader should there be any changes to my health status prior to the start of the trip. I understand the outing may require vigorous activity that is both physically and mentally demanding in isolated areas without medical facilities. I am fully capable of participating on this trip. Trip Name: Dallas Sierra Club Collegiate Peaks Trip Trip Dates: July 25 - 28, 2016

Signature (required): Date: Print Name:

Rev. 9/2013

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EXPERIENCE AND PREFERENCES FORM Dallas Sierra Club Collegiate Peaks Trip July 25 - 28, 2016

Return this form to the trip coordinator, Mark Stein, 3631 Normandy Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205.

PARTICIPANT NAME (Please print.):______

BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE. Briefly describe one or two relevant backpacking experiences, citing destination, approximate dates, distance backpacked, highest altitude, etc.

______

______

______

______

If you’ve hiked with a Dallas Sierra Club group, who was your trip leader? ______

HIKE OPTION PREFERENCES First choice: Texas Creek Kroenke Lake Either is fine if first choice is unavailable. Only the one I checked is acceptable.

PRE-OUTING AND POST-OUTING OPTIONS I’d like the optional campsite and cabin accommodations on July 24 and 28, if available. I’ll make my own accommodation arrangements for the nights of July 24 and 28. All registrations must be accompanied by a security deposit of $70. This will be refunded unless you cancel participation or don’t show. Alternatively, your deposit may be credited toward the actual cost of the optional accommodations on July 24 and 28, depending on the choice you express above on this form.

TRANSPORTATION PREFERENCES (Check all that apply.) I might take my own vehicle or a rented vehicle to and from the trailheads. I’d consider forming a car pool with other participants. Unless I request later that you not relate my interest in a car pool, share my contact information with other participants who would consider a car pool. Thanks, but I’m not currently interested in forming a car pool.

YOUR INFORMATION SOURCE How did you learn about this outing? ______

By signing below, I certify that I have read the attached trip descriptions, restrictions and cautions, and understand the described difficulties and risks associated with the trip(s) that I have selected above. I understand that immediate medical assistance will not be available if I become ill or injured while on this outing and that evacuation could take days. I am responsible for any evacuation and medical costs that may be incurred, should I need medical attention.

Signature of Adult Participant ______Date ______

Page 8 RELEASE OF LIABILITY Outing: Dallas Sierra Club Collegiate Peaks Trip Date(s): July 25 - 28, 2016 Trip Coordinator: Mark Stein Trip Leaders: Arthur Kuehne, Annie Wilson

Sign-In Sheet & Acknowledgment of Outing Member Responsibility, Express Assumption of Risk, and Release of Liability I understand that during my participation in this Sierra Club Outing, I may be exposed to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen or unforeseen, which are inherent in each Outing and cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of the Outing. These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, the dangers of serious personal injury, property damage, and death (“Injuries and Damages”) from exposure to the hazards of travel and the Sierra Club has not tried to contradict or minimize my understanding of these risks. I know that Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes or activities of other persons, animals, trip members, trip leaders and assistants or third parties, either as a result of negligence or because of other reasons. I understand that risks of such Injuries and Damages are involved in adventure travel such as Sierra Club Outings and I appreciate that I may have to exercise extra care for my own person and for others around me in the face of such hazards. I further understand that on this Outing there may not be rescue or medical facilities or expertise necessary to deal with the Injuries and Damages to which I may be exposed.

In consideration for my acceptance as a participant on this Outing, and the services and amenities to be provided by the Sierra Club in connection with the Outing, I confirm my understanding that:  I have read any rules and conditions applicable to the Outing made available to me; I will pay any costs and fees for the Outing; and I acknowledge my participation is at the discretion of the leader.  The Outing officially begins and ends at the location(s) designated by the Sierra Club. The Outing does not include carpooling, transportation, or transit to and from the Outing, and I am personally responsible for all risks associated with this travel. This does not apply to transportation provided by the Sierra Club during the Outing.  If I decide to leave early and not to complete the Outing as planned, I assume all risks inherent in my decision to leave and waive all liability against the Sierra Club arising from that decision. Likewise, if the leader has concluded the Outing, and I decide to go forward without the leader, I assume all risks inherent in my decision to go forward and waive all liability against the Sierra Club arising from that decision.  This Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law. If any provision or any part of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or legally unenforceable for any reason, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and shall remain valid and fully enforceable.  To the fullest extent allowed by law, I agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY the Sierra Club, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and leaders from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by negligence of the Sierra Club its officers, directors, employees, agents, and leaders, in any way connected with this Outing. I further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the Sierra Club, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and leaders from any claims, damages, injuries or losses caused by my own negligence while a participant on the outing. I understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and includes any minors accompanying me on the Outing.  I have read this document in its entirety and I freely and voluntarily assume all risks of such Injuries and Damages and notwithstanding such risks, I agree to participate in the Outing.

Name (print clearly): ______

Signed: ______Date: ______

If you are a minor (under age 18), your parent or legal guardian must sign this Agreement on your behalf.

I hereby agree and consent to the foregoing Agreement on behalf of the minor below.

Print Name and Age of Minor: ______Age: ______

Signature of Parent or Guardian: ______Date: ______

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