If the 7 Tabs above header image disappear on a narrow screen, use below links:
About Us  |  Membership  |  Peaks List  |  Trip Reports  |  Outings  |  News-Info-Newsletter

Sierra Peaks Section: Our Purpose  |  Welcome to the SPS  |  Header Photo Credit 
Campfire Events Calendar  |  Great American Outdoors Act (5/20/21)  |  Web Cams
Membership Application or Renewal Form  -  Renewal due 12/31; delinquent after 3/31

2026 Membership Forms

12/8/25 - A new form is now available for:
               (1) Members to renew subscription and membership for 2026.
               (2) Others to subscribe to The Sierra Echo or to join the SPS.

Scrambler Ratings Updated & Benchmarks Added

12/1/2025 - The tables of Mountain Scrambler Ratings for Sierra Nevada peaks have been updated with new ratings of 65 non-technical routes up SPS and non-SPS summits, including coverage of an additional 30 mountains. Also, Scrambler Ratings have been revised for 21 routes. In total, there are now Mountain Scrambler Ratings for 1038 non-technical routes up 642 Sierra Nevada peaks. As part of the latest update, the rating definitions for three categories were clarified to reduce misunderstandings. In addition, benchmark climbing routes were identified for each category of the Scrambler Ratings in order to provide convenient reference points intended to facilitate better understanding and use of this relatively new grading system for the difficulty of non-technical climbs in the High Sierra. For more info, click HERE.

Scrambler Ratings for:     SPS Peaks   |   Non-SPS High Sierra Peaks   
Benchmark Routes for Scrambler Rating Categories   |   Definitions     

Zoom Presentation: Climb of Ecuador's Volcanoes

3/18/2026 – Th at 7 pm - The third quarterly slideshow presentation: Climb of all three of Ecuador's highest volcanoes in one trip: Cayambe (18,996 ft), Cotopaxi (19,347 ft), and Chimborazo (20,549 ft). A Zoom link will be provided closer to the presentation date via Instagram, Facebook, and email. 

For a link to a video of the previous 9/18/25 presentation, check page 2 of the Vol. 70#1 Jan-Mar 2026 issue of the Sierra Echo newsletter. Note/record instructions. Once the video starts, advance to 9:30 minutes:seconds for actual start of the climb.

SPS Instagram Account

5/10/25 - The SPS Instagram account is @sierrapeakssection. Posters can use "#sierrapeakssection" as a tag in their posts to connect them to other SPS members.

SPS Echo Newsletter / Peaks List

02/23/26 - The Jan 2026 Mgt Comm Policies & Procedures are now available.
03/13/26 - The Apr-Jun 2026 Newsletter Vol 70-2 is now available.
04/22/26 - Newsletter Vol 70-2 added to Newsletter Index. 
01/12/25 - SPS Peaks List, January 2025 - 29th Edition  
For a history of recent additions to Newsletter & Index, click HERE.

National Park Reservations Required?

7/11/24 - Reservations are now required on certain days of the year to drive into Yosemite National Park. For more info, go to https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

1/2/2024 - For 2024, Zion National Park is continuing its (lottery based) permit system for the trail to the top of Angels Landing. For more info, click HERE (external link).

Newsletter Index Page Expanded

3/7/26 - The Newsletter Index now includes all Echos (1957 v1-1 thru 2026 v70-1). Climbs and photos of SPS peaks are listed in Peaks List order. The index is split onto several web pages.

National Park Entry Requirement

6/5/23 - Some parks within the National Park System (including Death Valley) no longer accept cash and require a debit or credit card for entry. For more info, click HERE [msn.com web site].

SPS (Active) Changes - Recent Years

Info moved to About Us page - For text on the following topics, click HERE:
1/20/25 - Ratings for Scramblers - Updated    
1/01/20 - New Waiver Forms for Outings Leaders    
9/29/17 - FREE First Year's Membership or Echo Subscription    
9/28/17 - Outings Leader Incentives    
SPS List with Mileage, Gain and Trailhead Information    
12/xx/15 - SPS Membership Requirements - Change  

Other Links / Info

Info removed from this page may have been moved to the News--Recent Past page     

Recent member accomplishments/emblems are listed on the Accomplishments page.
New members are listed on the New Members page.

Road Closures in National Parks and Forests: Go to Permits page and look for Alerts.
Road Closures elsewhere in California: Go to Links page for link to Caltrans

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