Becoming a Member To become a member of the California Alpine Club, please download and complete the membership form. (Note: requires Adobe Acrobat reader.) Download Membership Form

About Us

The California Alpine Club (CAC) is an outdoor and social organization with special interests in outdoor education and environmental protection. The CAC offers an interesting variety of travel outings along with events and activities centered in its two lodges. Both lodges have kitchens, private bedrooms, and dormitory facilities that are available for the use of members and associate members at CAC events. The CAC activities are listed in the newsletter, TRAILS, which is published 10 times each year. The lodges are available (as scheduling permits) for private rentals, weddings, business meetings, and family reunions. The CAC is also active in conservation work and contributes regularly to the support of numerous environment organizations. Total membership currently stands at about 850. Family membership is encouraged.

CAC Lodges

CAC owns and operates two lodges: ALPINE LODGE, acquired in 1925, and ECHO SUMMIT LODGE, acquired in 1952.

Alpine Lodge

Alpine Lodge is located on the south slope of Mt. Tamalpais, at 730 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley, California 94941 (one block from the Mountain Home bus stop). [View map (opens in new window).] For rental information and reservations call 415-381-4975. To contact someone at the lodge call 415-388-9940. The lodge is open to members every Sunday offering scheduled hikes, hospitality, and refreshments. Revenue from lodging and CAC events provides funds for maintenance and improvements.

Echo Summit Lodge

Echo Summit Lodge is located at the summit of Old Meyers Grade above Lake Tahoe, one mile from U.S. 50 on Johnson Pass/Meyers Road. [View map (opens in new window).] The phone number is 530-659-7274. It is a large, comfortable, year-round mountain lodge in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 7,365 feet. The lodge commands a superb view of Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding mountains. Forty thousand acres of rugged granite peaks and the Alpine Lakes of Desolation Valley Wilderness Area are within easy walking distance for hikers, mountaineers, and fishermen. Echo Lake, a mile from our lodge, is a delightful place in the summer for swimming, fishing, and boating. In winter, the area excels for ski touring and snowshoeing. Nearby well-known downhill ski areas include Heavenly Valley, Sierra at Tahoe, and Kirkwood.

Maintenance And Operation

Insofar as possible, members, on a volunteer basis, perform the maintenance and operation of both lodges.

Membership Expectations

To maintain and operate our lodges, members are expected to contribute time and energy regularly. Alpine Lodge has mid-week and Sunday work parties. Echo Lodge has periodic multi-day work parties. Coordinating a major event, cooking a large dinner, editing TRAILS, accepting a leadership position, or other special projects can satisfy work obligations.