A Desert Survivor backpacker rests in a grove of Octotillo (Fouquieria splendens) and red Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus) near Gary Wash in the Mojave Desert-- January 2012. After winter and spring rains, green leaves will sprout from the Ocotillo branches and red flowers will bloom from the tips. The Barrel Cactus will produce yellow flowers from the top of its stem The desert is alive with unusual plants and animals. Desert Survivors is an organization by and for people who love the desert and wish to experience and protect it. It sponsors backpacking and car camping trips throughout the year. Become a member and join us on our wilderness adventures. Photo by Martina Konietzny.

Latest News & Upcoming Events

NEW TRIPS Whipple Wilderness Backpacking, Two Trips Back-To-Back NEW TRIPS Bowmans Wash Road - Mine Site Exploration (M) -- March 23-25, 2012 (Fri-Sun) This trip is for experienced backpackers in good physical condition who want to explore remote parts of the Mojave Desert. The Whipple Mountains are outlined by a half circle meander of the Colorado River. The border along the river has a long history of Native American occupation followed by extensive mining operations. This eastern side of the Whipple Wilderness is characterized by carved red volcanic rock over a light grey-green base. Rock spines are separated by gravel filled washes. Both Mojave and Sonora flora and fauna are found here. This will be a monitoring trip and exploration of mine sites. We will start at a Bowmans Wash Road car camp at the southeast edge of the wilderness. We will need to start out with two gallons of water per hiker. The extent of our exploration will be decided as we go. Much of this trip will be on old jeep roads. Participants can continue on the trip that follows this one. Limit 8. Please contact Bob Davis davis@desert-survivors.org Whipple Wash Exploration (S) -- March 25-29, 2012 (Sun-Wed) . This trip immediately follows the preceding trip. Participants can go on both trips. This trip is for well-seasoned backpackers, in very good or better physical condition, who are willing to travel through rough cross-country routes that have not been evaluated by the leader. The Whipple Wash runs northeast from the core on the Whipple Crest to the Colorado River. Not far from the trailhead-- on the power line access road-- the BLM has said that there are palms in this wash. Near the suggested site the USGS map indicated a spring. We will need to start with two gallons of water per hiker. Limit 4 Please contact Bob Davis davis@desert-survivors.org

The Desert Survivors Winter 2011-2012 Trip Schedule is now ready. Also available in PDF format (168 KB).
Join Desert Survivors! This website is maintained by Desert Survivors as a public service. Desert Survivors is a 501(c)3 non-profit public-benefit organization based in Oakland, California. More than 95% of our revenue comes from membership dues and donations. We have no corporate sponsors. You can support our work by becoming a member for $30 per year (or more if you can). Non-member donations are also gratefully accepted. Send checks to Desert Survivors, PO. Box 20991, Oakland, CA 94620-0991. All donations are tax-deductible. To pay with a credit card, click here for membership, or here for donation. Thank you for supporting Desert Survivors!