In the summer of 1870, just after the university's first academic session, ten students wanted to explore the Sierra Nevada "pioneer style". They invited Dr. Joseph LeConte, and embarked on a spectacular five week camping journey on horseback. 

While in Yosemite with the students, Professor LeConte was introduced to a then-unknown naturalist named John Muir. Muir ended up joining the University Excursion Party for part of their trek. He and LeConte formed a lifelong friendship, full of many more adventures!

Many outings later, Muir and LeConte cofounded the Sierra Club in 1892 to more formally plan future trips

In 1917, students formally registered the University of California Hiking Club. The club reorganized and expanded significantly after WWII, in 1948.

Following new club naming guidelines restricting the use of "UC" in 1992, the club was renamed to the Cal Hiking and Outdoors Society, as it is still known today!