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Maryland Chapter
Join the Maryland Sierra Club as we explore and enjoy the mountains, waters, and shores that shape and define the Old Line State.
"The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." - John Muir
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Links
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Sierra Club Outings
Visit Our New Activity Search Page Here.
Sierra Club outings are open to everyone, members and non-members alike. Each outing is intended to be a wholesome, safe, and enjoyable experience in the outdoors. Participants must have proper clothing, equipment, and stamina suitable to the event, and are encouraged to select activities that match their individual abilities for outdoor adventures. The Club offers a variety of outings from "easy" to "strenuous" that suit all activity levels. The difficulty of each outing is clearly designated in the announcement. Reservations are generally not required for a local outing unless noted, but the outing leader should be contacted in advance for questions about the terrain, the difficulty or duration of the trip, recommended clothing, footwear and equipment. Activities are normally held "rain or shine," but may be postponed at the leader’s discretion for safety reasons in the event of inclement weather. Potential participants are reminded that all outdoor activities carry a degree of risk, and some take place in locations where professional emergency medical aid may be two or more hours away. People with health concerns should consult a physician to determine the advisability of participating in these or similar activities. The Club outing leader is responsible for the safety of all participants, and has the final authority to decide whether or not an individual may participate on a specific outing. Sierra Club safety policy requires that helmets be worn on bicycling outings. Also, any participant must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) on outings using personal watercraft such as kayaks or canoes.
Unless noted in the announcement, Club outings are intended for adults. Children and dogs are not normally permitted, unless an outing is so designated. Even on outings that are designated as child/dog friendly, please contact the leader in advance before bringing minors or pets. Minors (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian, or they must have both 1) a signed permission slip, and 2) the leader’s prior consent to participate in the Club outing. Dogs must be non-aggressive, well-behaved, and on a leash. Sierra Club outings officially begin and end at the trailhead, paddlecraft put-in/take-out point, or some other similar designated locality near the activity. Travel to the official starting point and back, even from an advertised meeting place, is the sole responsibility of each participant. While the Club encourages car-pooling, such arrangements are strictly between the riders and the drivers, and are not a part of the outing. Participants assume full responsibility and liability for all risks associated with such travel.
All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver, which can be viewed on the web at http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/index.asp. Sierra Club local outings are free of charge, although payment of park entrance fees, a share of campsite rental costs, permit fees, equipment rental charges, etc. may be required from the participants. Such costs are specified in the announcement whenever possible. The Sierra Club practices "leave-no-trace" trail techniques, including hiking and camping on durable surfaces, minimizing campfire impacts, packing out all trash, respecting wildlife, being considerate of other visitors, and leaving the environment as it was found. Take only pictures, leave only footprints, and have fun out there.
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Sierra Club Maryland Chapter
Outings Calendar
To Find Maryland Chapter Outings, Visit our New Active Search Event Calendar!
Anytime GB Cross Country Skiing
When snow conditions allow, local skiing or trip to Western Maryland or West Virginia may be planned. Call Jack for details at 410-256-3963.
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* For hike ratings of SCPRO, refer to their website at http://www.sierrapotomac.org/rating.htm
Most outings in the Maryland Chapter are run at the group level, with a few chapter and inter-chapter events. The group originating the outing is identified in parentheses by the leader's name. These and other abbreviations used are listed below:
AA: Anne Arundel Group
AMC: Appalachian Mountain Club
AT: Appalachian Trail
BLM: Bureau of Land Management
CCA: Canoe Cruisers Association (Washington, D.C.)
CG: Catoctin Group
C&O: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
FFA: Family Friendly Activity (kids/dogs ok, but check with leader)
FWS: (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service
GB: Greater Baltimore Group
GWNF: George Washington National Forest
HC: Howard County Group
JNF: Jefferson National Forest
MNF: Monongahela National Forest
MC: Montgomery County Group
NPS: National Park Service
NRA: National Recreation Area
NWR: National Wildlife Refuge
PFD: Personal Flotation Device (lifejacket)
PRO: Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO)*
SF: State Forest
SM: Southern Maryland Group
SP: State Park
SNP: Shenandoah National Park
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