  Hyperon decays present a promising alternative for extracting $\vert V_{us}
\vert$ from lattice QCD combined with experimental measurements. Currently
$\vert V_{us} \vert$ is determined from the kaon decay widths and a lattice
calculation of the associated form factor. In this proceeding, I will present
preliminary work on a lattice determination of the hyperon mass spectrum. I
will additionally summarize future goals in which we will calculate the hyperon
transition matrix elements, which will provide an alternative means for
accessing $\vert V_{us} \vert$. This work is based on a particular formulation
of SU(2) chiral perturbation theory for hyperons; determining the extent to
which this effective field theory converges is instrumental in understanding
the limits of its predictive power, especially since some hyperonic observables
are difficult to calculate near the physical pion mass (e.g.,
hyperon-to-nucleon form factors), and thus the use of heavier than physical
pion masses is likely to yield more precise results when combined with
extrapolations to the physical point.}
