Calendar

To list February & March outings, events or meetings, email to Reg Allen reginaldallen@email.msn.com before January 8. Please follow the format below.

Outings

All Club members and interested public are free to sign up for any outing. There is no cost, except for sharing gas expenses with the driver. We meet for car-pooling at various times and places, so call the leader for that information. Participants may be screened by the leader for appropriate equipment and experience.

Tuesday, December 1 — Full moon hike on Mesa Trail near Eldorado Springs. Bring hot drinks and treats to share. 4 mi., 500’ gain. Steve Bortz, 303-440-5459 (IPG).

Saturday, December 5, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm — Join a state park naturalist for a hike around the Fountain Valley Trail followed by a discussion of current conservation issues facing Roxborough State Park. Explore what it means to be a Natural Area, unique wildlife that lives here, the history of the land conservation effort in this area, and more. Reservations are required. Please call 303-973-3959 (RMC).

Sunday, December 6 — Moderate, conditioning 6 mi. ski tour on the Rock Creek Rd., a wide jeep road with gentle turns near Allenspark. 1000’ gain. Kirk Cunningham, 303-939-8519 (IPG).

Sunday Dec. 6 — Gem lake, Rocky Mountain National Park. This will be a joint outing with the High Plains and Poudre Canyon Groups. Join us for the annual HPG hike to a picturesque lake with unique rock formations along the trail, such as Paul Bunyon’s boot. This is a great end of year hike as it is usually clear of snow and has much wildlife. 4 miles round trip, 1,080 ft elevation gain. Easy pace easy hike. Call Steve Farley in Denver 303-680-7393 (SPG) and Donna Spivak in Ft. Collins 970-495-6901 (PCG) for details.

Sunday, December 13 — Easy 5 mi. hike to The Pool in Rocky Mountain National Park. Susan Jones, 303-444-6821 (IPG).

Saturday, December 19, 1:00 pm — Volunteers wanted for the Cherry Creek adopt-a-trail monthly work session for the Enos Mills Group. We meet at the bottom of the ramp to Cherry Creek from Colfax at 9:00 am to walk the section from Colfax to Lawrence collecting trash. Call Don Thompson for additional information, 303-629-1922 (EMG).

Saturday, December 19 — Escape the holiday madness with a fairly strenuous ski tour or snowshoe tour, depending upon conditions, to Heart Lake near Rollinsville. 10 mi., 2000’ gain. Kirk Cunningham, 303-939-8519 (IPG).

Sunday, December 20 — Devils Thumb Ranch , west of Fraser a secluded, peaceful and amazingly beautiful private valley for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. 100km of groomed trails. Trail fee & rentals available. Call Sue at 303-477-4285 (GLS).

Friday, January 1 — Chief Mountain 11,709 ft. Don’t watch football! Grab your first peak of the year and only thirty minutes from Denver. Roger Wendell and I will be going on our 2nd annual snowshoe to the summit for beautiful views of Denver, Mt. Evans and the front range. After reaching the summit we will return thru the trees, off trail, gliding down on our snowshoes in untracked powder. No ice axe needed but poles required. Moderate difficulty 3 miles round trip, 1,000 ft. elevation gain. Don’t worry we won’t be leaving early. Call Steve Farley 303-680-7393 (SPG).

Saturday, January 9, 1:00 pm — Volunteers wanted for the Cherry Creek adopt-a-trail monthly work session for the Enos Mills Group. We meet at the bottom of the ramp to Cherry Creek from Colfax at 9:00 am to walk the section from Colfax to Lawrence collecting trash. Call Don Thompson for additional information, 303-629-1922 (EMG).

Sunday, January 10 — Easy Singles showshoe hike to Lost Lake near Eldora. Great for beginners. 6 mi., 700’ gain. Steve Bortz, 303-440-5459 (IPG).

Sunday, January 24 — Moderate 10 mi. loop ski tour starting at Camp Dick in Peaceful Valley up to Beaver Reservoir and Coney Flats, then back along the Middle St. Vrain Creek Rd. Kirk Cunningham, 303-939-8519 (IPG).

Saturday February 20 — Cross country-ski up Kinney Creek near Silverthorne. Ski on one of the lesser used trails in Summit County. Climb through the trees for good views of Ute Park. This is an easy outing with a gentle descent on the return. 7.1 miles round trip, 902 ft elevation gain. Call Steve Farley 303-680-7393. (SPG).

Events

Saturday, December 12, 6-10 pm — Chapter Holiday Party & Fundraiser in a fantastic Tudor mansion in the Park Hill section of Denver. Meet our special guest, Dick Pownall, a member of the 1st American team to climb Mt. Everest. Refer to the detailed notice in this newsletter.

Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 pm — A SC State Air Quality Committee meeting will be held at the Sierra Club Office in Denver. Volunteers are needed to participate in activities that involve meetings, research, and brainstorming sessions that will help make a difference for clean air! The current air quality issues being monitored by the SC committee include the following: - Public Service’s Voluntary Compliance Plan - Permit reviews for the Metro Power Plants - Citizen complaints regarding air quality problems - Regional Air Quality meetings - Colorado State Air Quality Control Commission meetings - Tire burning as recycling in Florence CO.- Medical waste incinerators - Emissions from automobiles - The annual Toxic Release Inventory report of air emmissions - Evaluate 1999 legislation that involves air quality issues. For further information call Joan Seeman 303-738-8407 or email to jsee@earthlink.net.

Wednesday, January 26, 6:00 - 9:00 pm — Legislative workshop, sponsored by the Enos Mills Group and the Denver Audobon Society. At the Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden (Clermont & Hampden). $10, For further information call Angela Medbery at 303-433-2608.

Chapter Meetings

All Sierra Club meetings are open to the public. New and old members who would like to become more active are urged to attend. It’s a good way to meet people and share concerns. Chairs: to reserve a conference room at the Club office building, call Mary Romano at 303-861-8819 (days) at least one week before your meeting.

Metro Regional Council of Groups

The Metro Regional Council of (Sierra Club) Groups, meets monthly for breakfast to provide an informal forum for inter-group communications on issues that cross group boundaries, especially those related to growth (for example, RTD, mountain backdrop, water, open space, air, GOCO). Contact Don Thompson, 303-320-4895 for agenda information and the meeting date.

Chapter Conservation and Legislative Committee

Monday, December 14 & January 11, 5:30-9:00 pm Suite 205B at 1410 Grant St., Denver. (NE Corner of Colfax and Grant). We discuss issues and state legislature bills of importance to the Chapter and how to respond to them. Open to all members. Please contact Conservation Committee Chair. Kirk Cunningham, 303.939.8519 or kmcunnin@juno.com regarding information and agenda items for the Conservation Committee meeting and Mark Pearson, Legislative Chair for agenda and information concerning the Legislative Committee, 970-259-6181, mark.pearson@sierraclub.org .

Executive Committee

Saturday-Sunday. January 16-17, The Ex-Com is the governing body of the chapter. It meets quarterly at locations throughout the state to discuss and decide on conservation issues and administrative matters. The next Chapter ExCom meeting will be hosted by the SdCG, in Canon City. Tentative plans are for the meeting to be held at the historic St. Cloud Hotel. For information and agenda, contact Chair Dave Mastronarde, 303-440-0253.

Lifestyles/Education Committee

• Wednesday, January 20, 6:00 potluck, then from 6:30-8:00 pm The Lifestyles/Education Committee seeks to review our new years resolutions and our commitment to living an eco-friendly life. The next meetings will be at the home of Jan Oen at 1201 Adams Street, Denver. For details call Jan Oen at 303-320-4895.

• Thursday, January 28, 6:30 pm Voluntary simplicity study circles are a project of the Lifestyles/Education Committee. A Voluntary Simplicity introductory evening will be held at the Sierra Club office this month. Join simplicity advocate Mary Romano to learn what Voluntary Simplicity is, how it can make your life more enjoyable and rewarding, and to get more information on the simplicity study circles now forming throughout the state. Contact Mary Romano (w) 303-861-8819 or (h) 303-388-0911, or email Mary at mor1@concentric.net.

Population Committee

The Chapter Population Committee meets for its bi-monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30 pm at the Sierra Club office, 1410 Grant, B205. Overpopulation is the root cause of most environmental problems. Join us for a discussion of current legislation, international action, and the one letter you can write to make a difference. For more information and to confirm meeting date, call Fred Elbel, 303-220-7499.

Water Quality Committee

The committee holds evening meetings monthly, at irregular times. It deals with all issues covered by the Clean Water Act: pollution, discharge regulation, planning, polluted run-off and wetlands protection. We usually meet for a potluck supper before the meeting. To be on our contact list, call Chair. Kirk Cunningham, 303-939-8519.

Inner City Outings

Wednesday, December 9 & January 13, ICO meetings are usually held in the evenings on the second Wednesday of the month, in Suite 205B at 1410 Grant St., Denver. ICO introduces disadvantaged urban young people to the out-of-doors. Meetings dates and times may vary, so call the ICO hotline at 303-512-8331 to confirm.

Peak & Prairie mailing party

Thursday, January 28. Join us for fun at the mailing party! Dinner and refreshments provided. Call Angela Medbery, 303-433-2608, to confirm location and time.

Gay and Lesbian Sierrans

• Sunday, December 27 - Outings Planning potluck. Help us to make our Winter calendar of events tour biggest and best Calendar yet! Come share your ideas for events and your Colorado outdoor experiences! Call Sue, 303-477-4285 to confirm date, time and location.

•Saturday, January 7 - New Member’s potluck. Meet fellow Sierrans and find out about GLS activities and opportunities in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. This event will be held at a member’s home in the Park Hill section of Denver. Call Greg, 303-861-2844.

•Monday, January 16 - GLS Activist potluck. Join other GLS members who are concerned about threats to Colorado’s clean air, clean water and wild places. Find out what we can do together as a group to make a real and lasting difference for Colorado. Call Greg, 303-861-2844.

Group Meetings

Enos Mills Group
(Denver)

• Tuesday, December 8 and January 12, 6:00 pm potluck, 6:30 meeting. The Ex-Com. Meets at Sierra Club Headquarters, Suite 205B at 1410 Grant St. Denver. An opportunity to meet other EMG activists and learn what the Sierra Club is doing in Denver. Call Jan Oen, 303-320-4895 to confirm time and location.

• EMG outings leaders or potential leaders who wish to submit an outing for the February and March P&P, please email the text to reginaldallen@email.msn.com, by January 8.

High Plains Group
(eastern Denver suburbs)

For information on meeting dates, call Chair. Roger Wendell at 303-693-4244.

Indian Peaks Group
(Boulder area)

• Wednesday, December 2, 7 pm. IPG Conservation Committee meeting, LAW Fund Building, SW corner of Baseline and Broadway in Boulder. We discuss and formulate a Group strategy on pressing conservation issues not involving urban areas. Contact Kirk Cunningham, 303-939-8519, for information and agenda.

• Thursday, December 3, noon. IPG Urban Land Use Committee-downtown Boulder Restaurant. The ULUC covers issues within the incorporated areas of Boulder County. Contact pro-tem Committee Chair Kirk Cunningham for agenda items and other information, including the meeting place, 303-939-8519.

• Thursday, December 10, 6:15 pm. IPG Executive Committee meeting, the Hoge’s home, 2300 Iris Ave. in north Boulder (look for the wooden fence and the mailbox with animal figures on the south side of Iris). Meeting starts with a potluck at 6:15, and the rest of the meeting at 7 pm. Call Chair Susan LeFever for agenda items and other details 303-443-5482.

• Wednesday, January 6, 7 pm. IPG Conservation Committee meeting—see December notice.

• Thursday, January 7, noon. IPG Urban Land Use Committee meeting—see December notice.

• Thursday, January 14, 6:15 pm. IPG Executive Committee-meeting room of The Atrium retirement home, SE corner of Iris Ave. and 30th St. in Boulder. Potluck dinner starts at 6:15, the formal meeting at 7 pm. Contact Group Chair Susan LeFever for details and agenda items 303-443-5482.

• Monday, January 18, Outings Planning Meeting, All outings leaders and any individuals who are potentially interested in leading outings for the Sierra Club should attend. We’ll inform interested folks on the nuts and bolts, and do our planning for the Spring schedule. Call Susan Jones at 303-444-6821 to RSVP and get directions.

Mount Evans Group
(SW Jefferson, Northern Park, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties)

Thursday, December 10th and January 14th, 7:30 pm at the Evergreen Recreation Center. MEG meets on the second Thursday of each month. At our December meeting, we’ll mix holiday partying with our regular business meeting. Main December business will cover Ex-Com Committee nominations for 1999 and working on our continuing effort to prevent the paving of Guanella Pass Road. Members and interested citizens are always welcome. Call Myron Gerhard at 303-948-9778 or Lyn Yarroll at 303-838-8117 for more information.

Pikes Peak Group
(El Paso & Teller Counties)

• Tuesday, December 8 & January 12, 6:30 - 9:00 pm At the Beidleman Environmental Center, 740 W. Caramillo. All members are invited to attend and participate in our monthly Conservation Committee and Executive Committee meetings. If you are interested in local, state, or national environmental issues, this is the place to learn more and get involved with the activities which relate to them. Hope to see you there! For more information, call Chuck Hachmeister at 719-592-0963.

• Sunday, December 20, 5:00 pm Newsletter Folding Party and Potluck Dinner. Come join us to help assemble and prepare for mailing the next issue of our Timberlines newsletter. This is a great place for new and newly-active members to get involved. It’s one of our most enjoyable social activities. For more info about the location please contact Judy Bolin at 719-592-0963.

Poudre Canyon Group
(Larimer and Weld Counties)

Monday, December 14 & January 11, 6:30 pm Ex-Com usually meets at the Norlarco Credit Union, 700 Whaler’s Way, Fort Collins. Confirm dates with Will Walters, 970-568-9841, or email to Walters@ezlink.com.

Rachel Carson Group
(eastern Jefferson County)

Thursday, December 17 & January 14. Meetings are usually held at the Arvada Municipal Hall, but call Joan Rech, 303-541-0710 to confirm location and time.

Sangre de Cristo Group
(Arkansas River & San Luis Valleys)

Tuesday, December 8 & January 12, 6:30 pm Ex-Com meets at the Lamplighter Coffee House in Pueblo. Call Susan Finzel-Aldred, 719-947-0315, for confirmation of dates.

Uncompahgre Group
(Mesa, Delta & Gunnison Counties)

Wednesday, December 9, 6:15 pm Ex-Com meeting and potluck supper. Meet the second Wednesday of alternate months at Shelly Weiss’ home, 2215 Driftwood Lane, Grand Junction; call Shelly for directions, 970-243-5138.

Weminuche Group
(Durango area)

Monday, December 7 & January 4. Ex-Com meeting. Call Jim Decker for information and to confirm meeting dates, 970-247-8811.