What we’re about
This Meetup site manages trip announcements and sign-ups, and we are also starting a Facebook group to share our activities with an even larger audience, bringing them back to Meetup to sign up!
We offer various outdoor programs, including beginner backpacking in spring and fall. Our modern backpacking equipment library and wilderness navigation support these programs, and we also organize backpacking trips, day hikes, service days, and other activities.
We are part of the National Sierra Club's "Local Outdoors" program and organize outdoor activities. These outings (a/k/a "trips") are open to the KC Area community and designed to be inclusive. We are closely affiliated with the Sierra Club's Thomas Hart Benton and also the Kanza & Wakarusa groups. We aim to welcome individuals from all backgrounds, and many of our members are committed to conservation, equity, and social welfare advocacy.
Our activities happen at places whose current names we can see on Google Maps, e.g., Missouri and Kansas. We know the people living there are Missourians and Kansans. Historically, it's worth noting that these areas could have had different names, and the people living there could have had other names, too. Here is a helpful mapping tool to consider these matters, another referencing many established, well-known trails re: these matters and a resource for additional perspective.
Are you looking for a way to connect with nature, meet new people, or get some exercise? Sierra Club's local outings with us and inter/national trips have something for everyone. Join Sierra Club on an outing today!
While you do not have to be a Sierra Club member to join this meetup group or participate in the outings, we welcome you to join for as little as $15 as it supports the overall Sierra Club, including the Local Outdoors program.
We sometimes ask for small donations to cover the costs of training our outing leaders in various areas, such as Wilderness First Aid, and maintaining our gear lending library for backpacking courses. It's important to note that the Sierra Club is a Section 501(c)(4) non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code, which means that any donations made are not tax-deductible. Additionally, our leaders are unpaid volunteers who generously give their time to lead these outings.
Concerning backpacking, in addition to the beginning backpacking program, our leaders host beginning and higher backpacking locally and sometimes regionally, with regular options for big league trips on Sierra Club inter/national outings, for which our local outings can help prepare you.
Our leaders are volunteers and organize diverse activities according to their interests. Day hikes, cycling, backpacking, and camping are some of our activities. Still, we also participate in other activities such as picking up trash, bird watching, clearing brush along a hiking trail, crawling in a cave, or eradicating invasive vegetation. You can feel confident that our leaders are certified for outings leadership, including the first aid training required for the level of the outing they are leading, and they complete structured pre-trip planning.
Due to certification requirements, only our leaders may create outings. However, please suggest nature—or conservation-oriented outings; one of our leaders may make them happen.
To make sure everything runs smoothly during our outings, RSVP in advance. So that you know, we do not accept walk-ins. Leaders have the final say before and during the outing, and they may require certain minimums for fitness, experience, and equipment. We will give you all the relevant information to set clear expectations, and we appreciate your cooperation in following the instructions. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you on our next outing!
Minors can join many day hikes, but only if they are accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult. Please check the outing description to see if it allows minors.
Sierra Club has a policy regarding pets on outings. Generally, pets, especially dogs, are prohibited unless the outing specifies otherwise. However, service animals are permitted and are not considered pets.
Outdoor activities occur more frequently in late spring and fall/winter and decrease during summer when leaders take personal trips or go on the water.
For the safety of all individuals, please be aware that firearms are strictly prohibited during outings.
Carpooling is encouraged among participants, but it is important to note that carpooling arrangements are strictly private and not covered by Sierra Club's insurance. As such, the club assumes no liability for any issues arising from carpooling or ride-sharing arrangements.
All Sierra Club outing participants must sign a standard participant agreement as part of the sign-in process. This agreement will be linked in individual Outing announcements; you can review it before signing it.
You must complete a medical form if you plan to go on a backcountry, overnight, or day trip more than an hour away from an emergency medical facility. The trip leader will review the form and respect your privacy. We take the privacy of our participants very seriously and ensure that the responses on the form are kept confidential. In emergencies, the form will be available during the trip. After the trip, we will either return or delete the form.
Whenever possible, we prefer to collect medical forms at the trailhead. However, for backpacking trips, we need to conduct a more thorough vetting process of the participants to ensure everyone's safety. Therefore, we require the medical forms to be filled out and submitted upfront for backpacking trips.
It is essential to prioritize the health and safety of everyone attending an outing. So, individuals who feel unwell or display symptoms of any contagious illness are asked not to participate in the outing.
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Please immediately let the outing leader know if you have any concerns during or after an outing. If you receive an unwelcome message from another member on Meetup, Meetup provides some guidance on individual action. Also, please don't hesitate to contact us if you need more help. This group is committed to posting events supporting the Sierra Club and those interested in participating.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hidden Valley Park Hike6400 NE Russell Rd., Kansas City, MO
This event is moved to May 12, due to the trail closures and rain.
This is the THIRD and LAST of three hikes to discover this hidden gem, right in the center of things! Join us to discover how spring arrives at this beautiful park!
History of Park
In the 1950’s, the park now known as Hidden Valley Park began with the acquisition of land west of North Bennington along Russell Road, purchased as part of a plan to add parkland to Kansas City North. The name was selected because of the deep, wooded valley south of Russell Road that, up until then, had been “hidden” from the general public’s view. The area north of Russell Road was first used as a radio controlled airplane airfield for many years and was formerly referred to as “Airplane Park” by locals.Hidden Valley Park encompasses close to 195 acres of ground. One-third, the mowed area, lies on the north side of Russell Road and is referred to in the Master Plan as the “North Area”. The other two-thirds is south of Russell Road, the “Natural Area”. In 1978, 82 acres of the south side was designated a Missouri Natural Area by the State of Missouri Conservation Department.
In 2013, ground was broken to being major improvements to Hidden Valley Park. Since that time, the park has been converted from a mowed field to a park with lighted asphalt walking trails, 9-hole flying disc course, state-of-the-art playground equipment, rain gardens, park benches and a reservable shelter house with picnic tables, grills and a drinking fountain.
Trail: Hiking/Walking/Running/Biking
4 miles. The Hidden Valley Park trail skirts the rim and dives into the valley that earned the park its name. A mid-length trail, Hidden Valley has a remote feel and boasts unique, stunning views down into the valley.Type: Out & Back
Elevation Gain: a little hilly
Estimated Speed: ~ 2 mph
Terrain: Mix of dirt (can be muddy) paths with rocks and roots & hillsides.
Equipment: Dress appropriately for the weather conditions, e.g. layers of wicking clothing, gloves & a hat, as appropriate. Hiking-specific shoes/boots, hiking poles/staff for traction assistance, water, snacks & whatever else you need.
Prevent bugs & ticks from being interested in you through repellent(s), pants (not shorts) & a long-sleeved shirt + check for them afterwards; promptly addressing any you find on your person.
https://www.jcprd.com/DocumentCenter/View/1147/Prevent-Tick-Borne-Illnesses-PDFUnfortunately, we cannot allow our canine partners on this walk!
There are no vaccine, mask, or testing mandates.
If you're sick, please do not attend.
If you develop symptoms/illness during the trip, you may be removed for your and others' safety.
Knowing the above, it is your choice to attend the outing.Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet 🌎
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.Why America must protect 30x30 (w/ Sen. Tom Udall, Dr. Enric Sala) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VmOchhp8o
- Trip Report Series #12 | Naatsis'áán (Navajo Mountain)Link visible for attendees
Navajo Mountain was part of a multi-stage adventure in UT & AZ. I'm happy to share a field report of the experience there which can sometimes culminate in a return through Rainbow Bridge and out via boat shuttle on the notorious (but beautiful) Lake Powell (Lake "Foul"), which has been stricken by drought; thus restricting the option to arrive/leave by boat - necessitating a land-bound approach.
Respecting Navajo land and visitor expectations and securing transportation to this remote location is especially important.
I'll provide an overview of the trip there: highs and lows, difficulties, risks, terrain, elevation, permit requirements, maps and guidebooks, information gathering, water strategy, food storage, side hikes, gear, group planning thoughts, logistics, and more.
It will be helpful to you to have reviewed this backpacking trip online and have at least a basic familiarity with it before this talk. The speaker(s) intend to launch into various specifics of the experience and not necessarily provide a start-to-finish walkthrough.
This is not a future trip planning session. This overview does not equip you with all you need to know to be safe and successful should you plan your trip - that will require your significant due diligence, beginning with official sources and this, but this talk can be helpful.
Several other area links:
1
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3*Also, did you know Sierra Club runs trips to scenic areas like this which takes on the planning for you? Search here for a wide range of trips, including at least one specifically for this area. And there is often one or several, especially for this area (e.g., Mystery of the Rainbow, Forbidden Heart of the Rainbow, etc.), trips in the space formerly run by Richard Fite and Terry Gustafson before him, now taken up by those they inspired.
Mystery of the Rainbow
/mystery-of-the-rainbow.htmlForbidden Heart of the Rainbow
/forbidden-heart-of-the-rainbow.htmlSomewhere Over the Rainbow
/somewhere-over-the-rainbow.htmlDuring this talk, you'll find some insightful curated experiential information, see video clips and pictures, and hopefully, I'llI'lle some of my trip partners' testimonials (live or recorded) for you, too—and I'll provide time at the end for questions.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with over 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club promotes clean energy, safeguards our communities' health, protects wildlife, and preserves our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.Why America must protect 30x30 (w/ Sen. Tom Udall, Dr. Enric Sala)
- Conditioning Hike - Cedar Niles Park - Newest Park in Johnson County KS25117 W 119th St, Olathe, KS
Details: This will be part one of two hikes. The first hike will be 4 miles, approximately 2 hours. The second hike will be 6 miles, approximately 3 hours, and will take place sometime in June. Note: We would love for you to join us; you don't have to commit to either the first or second hike.
Please bring at least a quart of water and a snack. We will hike steadily and take breaks as needed. A few mountain bike cyclists will likely be on the path; be prepared to step off the trail. Also, wearing bright colors will increase your visibility.
Cedar Niles Park is Johnson County, KS's newest park and is located west of K-7, stretching from approximately 119th Street just past 135th Street. The property totals 1,030 acres and contains many natural assets, including streams, dramatic topography, and diverse plant life. Cedar Niles Park offers 4 miles of multi-use paved trails as well as 5 miles of single-track trails for mountain biking and hiking. We will hike a short section of paved trail, then hike 5 mile loop of single track. The trail is called Columbine Loop after the native wildflower which can be found abundantly on the northern portion of the trail.
Trail: Hiking/Walking/Running/Biking
4 miles. We will hike a short section of paved trail to the Columbine Trail Head. The rest of the hike is on a curvy trail through gentle tree covered hills. Plenty of shade.Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal elevation gain, 345 ft total
Estimated Speed: ~ 2 mph
Terrain: Mostly mix of dirt (can be muddy) paths with rocks and roots & hillsides.
Equipment: Dress appropriately for the weather conditions, e.g. wicking clothing and a hat, as appropriate. Hiking-specific shoes/boots, hiking poles/staff for traction assistance, water, snacks & whatever else you need. Prevent bugs & ticks from being interested in you through repellent(s), pants, and long-sleeved shirt + check for them afterwards, promptly addressing any you find on your person.
https://www.jcprd.com/DocumentCenter/View/1147/Prevent-Tick-Borne-Illnesses-PDFCarpooling: This outing starts and ends at the date, location, and times designated by the Sierra Club. Outings don't include carpooling, transportation, or transit to and from them; each participant is personally responsible if making arrangements with others and ALL travel-associated risks.
Sign-in: All Sierra Club outing participants must sign a standard participant agreement. You can read it here if you would like to before you choose to participate.
There are no vaccine, mask, or testing mandates.
30x30 Conservation Agenda A bold vision for the future: Protect 30 percent of lands and waters in the United States by 2030 to meet the challenge of climate change and provide space for wildlife and communities to thrive