Summer 2025 Alpines Lab, Merritt College

To go on a trip-

1. Make sure you review the course requirements, logistics and Frequently Asked Questions.

2. Then REGISTER for the class.

3. Email Stew stewwinchester@sbcglobal.net 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 stewwinchester@sbcglobal.net 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: June 19th 2025, Thursday 630-930PM. Merritt Hort Unit. 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 email for general inquiries: stewwinchester@sbcglobal.net

Stew’s cell phone is (510) 685-7024.

Summer 2025 Trip Schedule

Trip 1 - 7/3/25-7/7/25

Siskiyous and Cascades

Elevation range: 4500’ to 9500’

Klamath and Shasta-Trinity Nat’l forests: “reasonable' roads and paved road combo, ‘our shakedown cruise’
Historically famous destinations: Cook and Green Pass. Bee Camp. Kangaroo Mtn. Possibly Alex Hole.
Panther Meadows. Mt Shasta - many of you have participated in this ’trip’. 4-5 mile hikes, beautiful!!

Drive time 7 hrs

Trip 1 - Alternate - 7/3/25-7/7/25

Marble Mtns, Boulder Peak, Upper Wright’s Lake

Elevation range: 6000’ to 8300’

Marble Mtn Wilderness, Klamath Nat’l Forest - some sketchy sections of road. Beautiful hiking.

Drive time 7 hrs

Trip 2 - 7/10/25-7/14/25

Central Sierra - Trams and Passes

Elevation range: 6000’ to 9500’

Tahoe and El Dorado Nat’l Forests. Paved roads, with more people of course. 3-4 mile hikes.
Palisades Ski Area Tram to Granite Chief then drive down to Carson Pass, Hwy 88.
Winnemucca Lake Hike - and if time allows: Mammoth Mtn Tram, Hwy 395.
A floral survey of peaks and passes courtesy of the conveyances that make it much easier!
One can come and go for some or all of the destinations.

Drive time 4-8 hrs

Trip 3 - 7/17/25-7/21/25

Eastern Sierra, Onion Valley and Horseshoe Meadows

Elevation range: 9000’ to 11000’

Inyo Nat’l Forest. Paved roads - hikes to the Kearsarge Pass and Golden Trout Lakes.
Actual Subalpine and Alpine communities - lakes and no air - enlivens the soul!!!
6-8 mile hikes. All granite.     

Drive time 8 hrs

Trip 3 - Alternate - 7/17/25-7/21/25

Warner Mtns Tour

Elevation range: 4500’ to 8500’

Modoc Nat’l Forest - good gravel roads and paved road - drive and hike tour
All basalt - beautiful and vacant. Upper Great Basin Range.   

Drive time 7 hrs

Trip 4 - 7/24/25-7/28/25

White Mtns Eastern California

Elevation range 8600’ to 12000’

Inyo Nat’l Forest - Juniper Pinyon, Subalpine and Alpine Woodlands. Great Basin Range.
Good gravel roads and paved road. Bristlecone Pines and rock garden flowers.
5 mile hikes in thin air. Austere and beautiful!   

Drive time 8 hrs

Trip 4 - Alternate - 7/24/25-7/28/25

Ruby Mtns Eastern Nevada

Elevation range: 7000’ to 10000’

Humboldt Nat’l Forest - all paved roads. Metasediment and Granite layered!
Montane Riparian and Subalpine Forests - glacial carved valleys and canyons.
Lot’s of water - waterfalls and hikes to passes and more lakes, great rock gardens.
The wettest range in the State! 6-8 mile hikes.

Drive time 9 hrs

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.

• Each participant provides their own food and personal camping equipment. Stew may have gently used gear available for purchase and hand out Mountain Hardwear store passes at the Orientation Meeting.

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

Please revisit this page for more information and schedule updates.