Activities

Activities sponsored by the Club include dayhikes, carcamps, backpacks, summit climbs, rock climbing, snow camps, bicycling, 4-wheel drive trips, canoe/kayak trips, cross-country ski trips, photo tours, trail building, noontime slideshows, evening slideshows/dessert socials, wine tasting trips, nature walks, and beachcombing. Anyone may join in Club activities, but in the case of trips with limited available space, Club members and their guests have priority.

Twice a year, trip planning parties are held to determine the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter schedules. These parties are social events with a free dinner provided, and are intended to enlist volunteers for Trip Leaders and Assistant Trip Leaders. This is a good way to get people involved with the Club and contribute their knowledge of good places to go and things to do. We also provide great incentives for trip leaders and their assistants: free Hiking + T-shirts, and 50% off on cost trips.

Noontime slideshows, presentations, and other special events are held at JPL on the third Tuesday of each month. Themes may include slide shows of Hiking + club trips, outdoor activities, and National Parks; events such as walking tours, lectures, and trainings are also on our calendar. We recruit presenters from the Club membership, as well as non-members and people from outside JPL. The Club rewards presenters with a Hiking + T-shirt.

If you have ideas for the Club, would like to lead or assist with a trip, or host a noon time presentation, we'd like to hear from you! Contact any Club Officer and they'll be happy to help.

 

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History and Membership

JPL Hiking + was formed in 1975, beginning with a grand total of 18 members. Over the years the Club has grown, and the active members now number 183! Made up of a diverse mix of JPL, CIT, NASA, ESA, and Contractor employees, the Club also has retirees and members with no affiliation.

Members consist of all age groups, and include many singles, couples, families, and friends. The Club, now known as JPL Hiking +, was also named the "JPL Hiking Club," the "JPL Hiking and Backpacking Club" and the "JPL Hiking and Backpacking Club and Wilderness Gourmet Society" in years past.

This last descriptive title originated in part from a memorable High Sierra backpack to Iva Bell Hot Springs where a talented member not only served iced margaritas to fellow backpackers in a natural hot pool, but whipped up a stunning gourmet dinner of mu-shu chicken (complete with plum sauce!) on a tiny backpacking stove. Soon a loyal following of culinary artists emerged, and thus began a tradition of holding a "Happy Hour" the first evening of any given trip. We enjoyed a tremendous array of delectables, from homemade to store-bought; not surprisingly, many appetites were spoiled from indulging in too many hors d'oeuvres, and dinner plans were frequently put on hold until the next evening.

Some of the original members from 1975 are still around and participate in many of the Club's activities: they include Anni Castain, Roger Wells, and Nancy Feagans, to name a few...

We hope that you will join us...

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