Reload for latest update. See below for Upcoming Special Outings

Latest Riogrande Sierran Newsletter is online.
This is a special election issue dated October 2008.

Endangered Species Act under threat. Read NYT editorial. Please Take action (press American Eagle below). Or mail your comments to:

• Public Comment Processing, Attention: 1018-AT50
• Division of Policy and Directives Management
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
• Arlington, VA 22203

 

In the news:
Sex, drugs, booze, and oil cash in MMS ethics scandal: Kierán Suckling, Executive Director, Center for Biological Diversity writes: "... the cozy relationship between the Minerals Management Service and oil and gas companies -- which the agency is supposed to bill for drilling on public lands -- is even cozier than I imagined. The scathing Inspector General report released today [9/10] shows just how ethically challenged government agencies have become in recent years as they rush to approve more and more mining and drilling projects." Also, see Charlie Savage's article in NYTimes.

Cyndi Tuell has important updates, especially in regard to the Gila Forest, on the Forest Travel page.

Go to Carl Pope's latest message and browse the Daily Compass.

Sabinoso Wilderness Act of 2008 needs your help: Go to page...

   

Click here to view Santa Fe National Forest's Proposed Action for Travel Management.

A new permanent webmaster is needed. If you are interested, see our Volunteering page.

Check out National Sierra Club Outings and local hikes below.

Upcoming special hikes:

• Thursday, October 9: Valles Caldera Highway 4 cleanup – Work on the Club’s adopted stretch while enjoying the views. David Gemeinhart (505/672-6267 – Pajarito Group).
• Saturday, October 11: Desert hike, likely on BLM lands – 6-10 miles, 500'- 1500' gain. Moderate. Off-trail. Explore little-known places with unusual geological formations. Tom Petencin (505/271-9928 – Central Group).
• Saturday, October 11: Moderate Hike to Holiday Mesa (Jemez). 6 miles RT, 1600' gain. Stream crossing (twice), steep, rough trail. Interesting geology (fossils). A few dogs ok. Stephen Markowitz (505/983-2779 – Northern group). Call Thursday, 10/9, or earlier to reserve, and call before 8PM.
• Sunday, October 12: Moderate loop hike in the Caja del Rio along old forest roads and down a long abandoned, somewhat steep trail to the Rio Grande. Interesting views, 7 miles, 1000' elevation gain, dogs ok. Norma McCallan (505/471-0005 – Northern group).
• Sunday, October 12: Strenuous Hike to Pecos Baldy. 17 miles RT, 3800' gain. Dogs ok. Tobin Oruch (505/820-2844 – Northern group) before 8 pm.
• Saturday, October 18: North Seco/Morgan Creek trails hike, in Hermosa – 7.8 miles. Moderate. Scenic rock formations, views of Black Range Crest, some stream crossings. Margot Wilson (575/744-5860 – Southern Group).
• Saturday, October 18: Cerro Pedernal climb – 8 miles, 1800' gain. Strenuous. Spectacular views to this Georgia O’Keeffe landmark. Reiner and Ilse Bleck (505/662-2368 – Pajarito Group).
• Saturday, October 18: Sierra Negra hike, near Abiquiu – 10 miles. Strenuous. Off-trail, some scrambling. Bogdan Mihalia (505/662-0421 – Northern Group).
• Sunday, October 19: Jicarita Peak hike, from Santa Barbara Campground – 15 miles, 4200' gain. Very strenuous. Hal Davis (575/758-3949 – Northern Group).
• Sunday, October 19: Kitchen Mesa hike, Ghost Ranch – 4.5 miles, 600' gain. Easy/moderate. Great views. Alan Shapiro (505/424-9242 – Northern Group).
• Friday-Saturday, October 24-25: Magdalena Mountains car camp/hike – 11 miles along the Crest Trail, 1800' gain. Moderate-plus. Marvelous views; camp at Water Canyon Campground. Rollin Rickenden (rwickgila@aol.com – El Paso Group).
• Saturday, October 25: Desert hike, likely on BLM lands – 6-10 miles, 500'- 1500' gain. Moderate. Off-trail. Explore little-known places with unusual geological formations. Tom Petencin (505/271-9928 – Central Group).
• Saturday, October 25: Red Canyon hike, Bandelier – 12 miles. Strenuous. Little-visited area in the backcountry. Norbert Sperlich (505/474-4354 – Northern Group).
• Sunday, October 26: West Rim Trail hike, Rio Grande Gorge – 9 miles, 200' gain. Moderate. Impressive views. Dan Rusthoi (505/690-8967 – Northern Group).
• ...more on Selected outings page.

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Selected Outings page. (Updated 9/28/08)

Volunteering page. (Updated 7/27/08)

NM Legislation - 2008 page. (Updated 4/17/08)

Action Alerts page. (Updated 7/25/08)

New Politics & Endorsements page. (updated 9/25/08)

News & Newsletters page. (Updated 9/25/08)

ASARCO page. (Updated 4/17/08)

Cool Cities page. (Updated 2/29/08)

Chaco Canyon page. (Updated 2/29/08)

Agriculture & CAFO page. (Updated 2/29/08)

Campaigns & Issues page. (Updated 8/12/08)

Galisteo Basin Drilling page. (Updated 4/17/08)

Water Conservation page. (Updated 2/28/08)

Mexican Wolf Reintroduction page. (Updated 2/28/08)

New Rio Grande Sierran, October 2008. (Added 9/25/08)

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This site was created to help our members scattered across New Mexico and far West Texas keep in touch. It is also intended to inform concerned citizens.

Here you will find information about the Sierra Club, its mission, its meetings, its outings, its critical environmental causes and how to join.

Sloan print # 1:

     Aplomado Falcon

Receive a signed, limited edition, print of one of our high desert raptors by renowed artist, Richard Sloan. Details...

• Explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth.
• Practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources;
• Educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
• Use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

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