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Sierra Club Outings
Clair Tappaan Lodge

Contact the Lodge

2008 EVENTS
  • Thanksgiving, November 27. (Thursday). LODGE BOOKED FOR A PRIVATE GROUP

  • December 6. Backdoor to the Backcountry: Nordic Ski Tour (see description below under 2009 events)
  • December 12 (Friday).  Full Moon hike or snowshoe

  • December 13. Backdoor to the Backcountry: Intro to Snowshoe Tour (see description below under 2009 events)
  • December 20. Backdoor to the Backcountry: Nordic Ski Tour (see description below under 2009 events)
  • December 31, 2008 (Wednesday). Plan now to attend the traditional and wonderful New Year's celebration at Clair Tappaan Lodge
2009 EVENTS

Backdoor to the Backcountry: Intro to Snowshoe Tour

Have you ever wanted to try out snowshoeing and experience the backcountry in the winter but didn’t know how to get started? This guided tour can be just the event to introduce you to a new activity in a perfect setting. Your certified Clair Tappaan Lodge Outing leader will provide an introduction to the equipment and techniques you’ll be using during the tour. Then the group will snowshoe right from the backyard of Clair Tappaan Lodge and ascend in to the winter wonderland of Tahoe National Forest. You will hear the sounds of nature - the wind whispering through the trees and the winter wildlife greeting you as you come into their habitat. You will see the wonders that are part of this forest - the tall Jeffery Pines that soar above you, the mountains and peaks that are part of this region and the clear blue sky that transcends all understanding. You will experience nature at its finest. After enjoying lunch with a view the group will return to Clair Tappaan Lodge with new skills, friends and confidence. You will be building memories that will encourage you to explore more of the Sierra Nevada during all seasons.

Tour Dates 12/13/08, 1/10/09, 1/24/09, 2/7/09, 2/21/09, 3/7/09, 3/21/09, 4/4/09
Tour begins at 9:00AM
Tour distance/elevation gain/duration - 3 miles / 500 feet / 3 - 4 hours
Tour level of difficulty - Beginner
Minimum Age - 12
Minimum # of Participants - 5
Maximum # of Participants - 13 Tour Price - $15

Tour may be modified or cancelled due to storm and avalanche conditions

Backdoor to the Backcountry: Nordic Ski Tour

Clair Tappaan Lodge’s Backdoor provides convenient access to the Donner Summit Backcountry. This guided tour will begin on Clair Toppaan’s groomed trails but will quickly get off the beaten path in order to explore the area fully. During the tour your certified Clair Tappaan Lodge Outing leader will provide interpretive information on the rich natural and human history of the Donner Summit area. You’ll learn how the Sierra was formed, what animals make this harsh environment their home, and how Donner Summit has served as a transportation and communication corridor since the time of the Native Americans. Participants should be comfortable skiing off of groomed trails.

Tour Dates 12/6/08, 12/20/08, 1/31/09, 3/14/09
Tour begins at 9:00AM
Tour distance/elevation gain/duration - 7 miles / 800 - 1,000 feet / 5 - 6 hours
Tour level of difficulty - Intermediate
Minimum Age - 14
Minimum # of Participants - 5
Maximum # of Participants - 13
Tour Price - $25 - Reservations Required

Tour may be modified or cancelled due to storm and avalanche conditions

Castle Peak Backcountry Ski/Ride Tour

Backcountry skiing is becoming more and more popular as outdoor enthusiasts look to escape the weekend crowds of the ski resorts. Donner Summit offers an excellent introduction into the world of backcountry skiing with the popular Castle Peak. This guided tour will begin with a tour up Castle Valley before beginning our climb toward to the top of Castle Peak. After descending from the peak into Round Valley we will enjoy lunch within the Peter Grubb Hut. After lunch we will have a chance to make more turns down Basin Peak before returning to Clair Tappaan Lodge. Due to the terrain encountered during this tour your certified Clair Tappaan Lodge Outing leader for this tour holds an Avalanche I Certificate. Participants are required to carry their own avalanche beacons, shovels and probes (equipment rental available with reservation). An introduction to using these avalanche safety tools will be provided at the trailhead. Participants are also required to bring skins for their Telemark, Alpine Touring (AT), or Backcountry Split-Board set-ups (equipment rental available with reservation) since the tour will be climbing long and steep slopes. Participants should be in good physical condition with experience in downhill skiing or riding.

Tour Dates 1/3/09, 2/14/09, 3/28/09
Tour begin at 9:00AM (participants meet at CTL @ 8:45 and carpool to trailhead)
Tour distance/elevation gain/duration - 8-10 miles / 2,000-3,000 feet / 7 - 8 hours
Tour level of difficulty - Intermediate-Advanced
Minimum Age - 16
Minimum # of Participants - 5
Maximum # of Participants - 13
Tour Price - $40 - Reservation Required

Tour may be modified or cancelled due to storm and avalanche conditions

Silver Peak Backcountry Ski/Ride Tour

Backcountry skiing is becoming more and more popular as outdoor enthusiasts look to escape the weekend crowds of the ski resorts. Silver Peak, within the Tahoe National Forest makes up part of the Sierra Crest and makes a great and rarely visited backcountry peak. This tour provides a diverse mix of forested valleys, steep ridges, and an exposed summit with spectacular views of the Sierra Crest and Truckee River valley. Due to the terrain encountered during this tour your certified Clair Tappaan Lodge Outing leader for this tour also holds an Avalanche I Certificate. Participants are required to carry their own avalanche beacons, shovels and probes (equipment rental available with reservation). An introduction to using these avalanche safety tools will be provided at the trailhead. Participants are also required to bring skins for their Telemark, Alpine Touring (AT), or Backcountry Split-Board set-ups (equipment rental available with reservation) since the tour will be climbing long and steep slopes. Participants should be in good physical condition with experience in downhill skiing or riding.

Tour Date 1/17/09, 2/28/09, 4/11/09
Tour begin at 9:00AM (participants meet at CTL @ 8:45 and carpool to trailhead)
Tour distance/elevation gain/duration - 9 miles / 3,000 feet / 8 hours
Tour level of difficulty - Intermediate-Advanced
Minimum Age - 16
Minimum # of Participants - 5
Maximum # of Participants - 13
Tour Price - $40

Tour may be modified or cancelled due to storm and avalanche conditions

  • May 8 - 13, 2009. Z Meditation: "Fishing for Happiness" Clair Tappaan Lodge with all its rustic charm will be the venue for our second meditation retreat of six days! click here for more details

August 14 - 16, 2009
Gala 75th Anniversary Celebration of Clair Tappaan Lodge
85th Anniversary Celebration of Hutchinson Lodge
and a Star Gazing Weekend

rev. November 9, 2008. E.M.