Summer 2026 Alpines Lab, Merritt College

Summer Trip Slideshows

To go on a trip

1. Make sure you review the course requirements, logistics and Frequently Asked Questions, as well as the Summer 2026 Specific Logistics and Details (below).

2. Then REGISTER for the class.

3. Email Sasha Cherkassky: corvid.problem@gmail.com to request a spot on your first choice trip.

• Indicate which trip is your first choice and your second choice.

• Trip sign-up requests must include your cell number.

• If you need to cancel, you must email Sasha Cherkassky: corvid.problem@gmail.com as soon as you know that you cannot attend a trip that you have signed up for.

4. ATTEND an orientation meeting - Those new to Stew’s field trip classes MUST attend an orientation meeting.

Alpines Lab Orientation Gathering: Thursday, June 11th: 630-930 PM. H101.

Orientation will include location specific information and photos, map sessions, logistics, vehicle reqs/prep, food and kitchen items needed, equipment, physical and academic preparation, plant lists and books/apps, as well as the following objectives:

• Look over maps in detail, review logistics for each outing.

• Discuss alternatives, backpack or car camp, for each trip.

• Identify alternate destinations in case of fire or smoke-outs.

• ID the individual camp gear for backpack or car camp; see setup.

• Look over info sources/literature per trip.

• Sample proposed foods and snacks for trail.

• Identify communal gear; limiting unnecessary overlap.

• Discuss vehicle types per trip type; carpooling.

• View slideshow of locations; flowers and vistas!!

• Safety and medical status. Physical conditioning.

Contact

Please use this email for general inquiries: Sasha Cherkassky: corvid.problem@gmail.com

Stew Winchester: stewwinchester@sbcglobal.net, cell phone (510) 685-7024

Summer 2026 Trip Schedule

Trip details and destinations to follow.

Trip 1

June 25th- 29th, 5 days, Thurs-Mon

Siskiyou Crest Possibilities

Klamath Nat’l Forest

• Version # 1. Cook and Green Pass, Bee Camp, Kangaroo Mtn.

• Version # 2. Alex Hole, Condrey Mtn, Dry Lake lookout

Trip 2

July 9th - 13th, 5 days, Thurs-Mon

Marble Mountains (1st)

Klamath Nat’l Forest

• Upper Wright’s Lake, Boulder Pk

Mendocino Nat’l Forest (2nd)

• Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, Mt Linn, Ides Cove

Trip 3

July 16th - 20th, 5 days, Thurs-Mon

Warner Mountains

Modoc Nat’l Forest

• South Warner Wilderness, Squaw Peak

• Dismal Swamp, Mt Bidwell

Trip 4

July 23rd - 29th, 7 days, Thurs-Wed

Wallowa Mtns, NE Oregon

Wallowa - Whitman Nat’l Forest

• Eagle Cap Wilderness

• Lostine Canyon, Lake Maxwell, Minam Lake

• Slick Rock

• Mt Howard, (tram), East Peak

• Blue Mtns Bivouac, (Layover, to and from the Wallowas) July 23rd and 29th

Summer 2026 Specific Logistics and Details: Critical

Limit: ~ 15 students per trip - if there are fewer than 6 signed up, trip is cancelled.

Vehicles/Transit

• Carpool lists will be made after the orientation meeting. Participants will be polled about vehicles: It would be great to have as many 4WD and AWD vehicles with higher clearance* - the roads aren't bad - just need a little more ‘ooomph’ to get up those hills. Passengers will pay for the gas!

• Those who can help out with high clearance vehicles get first priority on trips and pay no fee.

• The first two trips have some ‘off-road’ sections, the last two trips have ’tame’, mostly paved or good gravel roads.

• Vehicles must have good A/C, tires and some form of GPS - in general, reliable! Cell phones and chargers a must!

• Students will have to make their own arrangements: where and when to meet to begin the trip. We will provide driving times, approximate mileage and destination. Generally we distribute info on Trailheads or Campsites - as well as planned stops along the way for gas, food and restrooms.

• To facilitate carpooling, Sasha will keep the tally of people per vehicle and number of cars per trip. All participants will exchange contact info per trip so we don’t get too far out of range from one another.

Equipment:

• Each student is expected to supply their own camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, pad(s), pillow, small duffle of extra clothes, good shoes, (and socks!) hiking poles, headlamp w/extra batteries, small notepad/pens, daypack, TP, camp shovel.

• Everyone should bring along the medicines they need, especially pain killers, plus toiletries, bandaids, earplugs, ziplock bags are a must!!!! A roll of paper towels is handy as well. Don’t forget your chairs!

Food/Kitchen Items:

• Each vehicle should have at least one medium cooler, preferably two; small stoves and fuel, pots/pans/kettle and eating utensils, mugs/cups, lighter/matches. Water jug(s). 2.5 - 5 gallons and water filter.
  We won’t necessarily have accessible water in our camps. Don’t forget your electrolytes!

• It is suggested that we should confine our cooking to items that tend not to require a lot of pot cleaning or take long to prepare - save on water and time, (I bring prepared items that don’t require heating).

Communal Gear:

• I will supply tables for cooking, two burner stove w/fuel, for general water heating, 5 gallon water jugs, (3), an extra cooler for anyone needing to store their perishables and cold drinks, small first aid kit - some lanterns.

• Extra paper goods: plates, cups, utensils. paper towels and TP, pots and pans.

• I’ll have few portable chargers for phones - Bring your own cables! With standard USB plug on one end.

• I will bring extra equipment if its requested before the trip - tents, pads, fleeces - otherwise it might not be as good an outing.

• It is suggested that you use plastic water bottles, (filled and frozen) rather than ice in the coolers – again - less work, and have the additional water if we need it.

• I will supply maps and literature useful in local species. I would encourage everyone to google the “Siskiyou Crest” to see what lists you can find.

Please note:

• ALL DESTINATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE! Posted destination may change depending on weather, atmospheric conditions (smoke/fire), road conditions, or phenology.

• Car camp style trips: Group will meet at the destination, or nearby, by arrangement, then camp and head out daily for day hikes.

• Costs: Trip fee $30 (includes shared equipment such as water filters and stove fuel). Additional expenses include carpooling (riders cover all fuel costs for drivers) and may include campground fees and wilderness permit fees where applicable. Participants carpool for all trips.

• Students who emailed their trip requests will be signed up for their first choice trip until the trip limit is reached. Students who request to sign up for a trip that is full will be notified that they need to select an alternate trip.

• Each participant should be in good shape and be able to hike/backpack/take care of personal needs/keep up with the group AND have enough energy remaining to learn about plants while exploring the outdoor environment.

• REI offers classes in basic camping skills. This is a botany class.

Please revisit this page for more information and schedule updates.