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If you are new to Desert Survivors or contemplating joining one of our interesting desert trips as a new member please click on the above "General Trip Information" button to acquaint yourself with additional information concerning the scheduled trips below.
Many of our popular trips, particularly car camps on 3 day holiday weekends, tend to fill early and quickly, so plan accordingly. We ask that if you do secure a reservation with a trip leader, please be sure to use it, but if you cannot keep the reservation then advise the trip leader immediately to allow someone on standby to take the open slot.
Other backpacking trips tend not to fill to maximum at all times and may have an open space or two. If you find yourself with an open weekend and want to join in, try phoning the trip leader, space may still be available.
Most of our trip leaders ask that you contact them directly by telephone. This enables the leaders to assess your skills and abilities and to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Your safety and enjoyment while on the trip is just one of their many concerns. They want you have fun and the trip to be a rewarding experience. This also enables the trip leaders to build a "balanced group" that will enhance everyone's enjoyment of the trip.
Upon securing a slot for the trip you will be mailed additional information concerning the meeting area, car pooling, last minute changes, etc.
It may help you to jot down your questions before phoning.
September 21-23 (Fri-Sun)
Annual Benton Hot Springs Gathering (E/M)
Eastern Sierra
We'll do geology and plant hikes, visit historical sites, practice
art, and enjoy other activities during the day, star-gazing and
campfire sing-alongs at night. Nine hot tubs for soaking
anytime. There'll be games for the kids and a desert hat
fashion show for the adults, plus more. The Annual
Membership Meeting will be Sunday morning. Members will
receive a detailed flyer to sign up. This event was great last
year. Organizer Janet Schraer.
For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
September 29-30 (Sat-Sun)
Public Lands Day Service Trip Carcamp (M)
Mojave National Preserve
We'll work with the National Park Service and other
volunteers to clean up trash and maintain trails and campsites
in Caruthers Canyon. It's a location used heavily by hikers,
hunters, and other visitors but receives minimal park
maintenance. We can make a real difference by improving the
visitor experience and protecting the fragile canyon. No
special skills are required, but trail rehab experience is a plus.
NPS will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, and vegan fixings,
and we'll provide side dishes, music, and stories for our
Saturday night potluck and campfire. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
robtlyon@sbcglobal.net
October 5-8 (Fri-Mon)
South Reveille Wilderness Area Backpack (M/S)
Central Nevada
Explore a remote and pristine wilderness area replete with
stunning geology, abundant animal populations, archeological
sites, and solitude. This place just plain rocks! Easy access off
the Extraterrestrial Highway. Be prepared for the unexpected,
as we may discover the Mother Ship, and there's a good
chance of spotting pronghorn antelope and petroglyphs. Carry
all water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
October 6-7 (Sat-Sun)
Eastern California Petroglyphs Carcamp (E/M)
Southern Owens Valley
Comfortable fall weather is an ideal time to go exploring.
Saturday we visit three rock art sites in the southern Owens
Valley area bordering the Coso Mountains. Sunday we will be
escorted to the astonishing Little Petroglyph Canyon on the
China Lake Naval Weapons Station. As government
restrictions apply here, all arrangements and confirmations
must be completed by September 15. High-clearance 2WD
sufficient. Saturday evening potluck. Limit 14.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
October 7 (Sun)
Route Finding Seminar (E)
Briones Park, Bay Area
Our first all-day seminar on route finding will cover map
reading, compass skills, and GPS. Briones Park features
rolling hills, little peaks, and small valleys, good terrain to test
our skills. Meet at picnic tables under the spreading oaks in
the morning, then hike to practice what we've learned in the
afternoon. Please sign up in advance. A small charge will help
defray costs of renting the park. Call early for this one; it's
bound to be popular.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
October 19-25 (Fri-Thurs)
Saline Valley Carcamp (E/M)
Death Valley National Park
Join us for all or part of this carcamp. We will start in
northern Saline Valley with a climb of Waucoba Mt. and camp
there Friday night. We will play it by ear depending on the
weather, taking our time to drive into Saline Valley. We will
be doing dayhikes, some potlucks, soaking, and relaxing.
Sturdy car in good shape with spare tire needed for 100 miles
total of dirt-road driving. Limit 15. Leader Jerry Goss.
Sign-up Contact: Lynne Buckner (415) 824-5454
lynne@woolstreet.org
November 3 (Sat)
Preservation Issues Conference (E)
Live Oak Park, Berkeley
This all-day conference will explore current issues throughout
the desert. Many are old: grazing, mining, off-road vehicles.
Others are new: border patrol and border intrusions, global
warming, the impact of solar and wind energy. We have
offers from many groups who want to do presentations: the
Center for Biological Diversity, the Desert Protective Council,
the California Wilderness Coalition, and others. Lunch
included. Members will receive a detailed flyer.
For information, call: Elena Gogoleva: (415) 307-8324
elenagogoleva@yahoo.com
November 9-11 (Fri-Sun)
The Green Festival (E)
Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
Join us in celebrating the desert and its "green" treasures by
coming by and schmoozing with all those watery green folks
who have no clue how to find the desert in the desert. Around
40,000 persons are expected. If you can help, please join the
crew. We'll need about 15-20 volunteers to staff our booth for
the three days and talk to folks about keeping our desert wild,
protected from off-road vehicles, free of toxic waste, and
joining our talented and diverse group of hikers and
backpackers.
Contact Organizer: Judy Kendall (510) 612-1124
November 12-13 (Mon-Tues)
Backpacking the Border--One (M/S)
Fish Creek Mountains Wilderness
This is the first of three short backpacks immediately north of
the Mexican border. The route is exploratory in a rugged land
of jagged ridges and peaks, twisting canyons, sandy washes,
and small valleys immediately east of Anza Borrego Desert
State Park. This is low desert with ocotillo, creosote, and
desert willow. December weather should be cool. Travel is
cross-country, and long views eastward look over the Salton
Sea. A 16-mi. loop. Carry water. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
November 14-15 (Wed-Thurs)
Backpacking the Border--Two (M/S)
Coyote Mountains Wilderness
This second borderland backpack is notable for the rugged,
colorful mountains through which deep canyons find their
way. Midway in the trip, we leave the canyons briefly to
climb the highest point nearby, Carrizo Peak, before
descending northward into an alluvial badlands where twisting
gullies give the land an austere and forbidding character. We
negotiate several steep climbs, travel a total of 16 mi., and
carry water. The trip is exploratory and requires a short
shuttle. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
November 16-17 (Fri-Sat)
Backpacking the Border--Three (M/S)
Jacumba Mountains Wilderness
This last of the three trips traverses a small range lying
immediately north of the Mexican border. This is an exploratory
trip beginning with an ascent of an eastside canyon. The
geography of the interior valleys will then allow us to choose
from several possible routes. From the highest point we will
see the mountains of the two previous trips as well as the
Yuha Desert to the east, and mountains to the south in
Mexico. Total distance 14-19 mi. Carry water. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
November 16-18 (Fri-Sun)
Cougar Canyon Service Trip Carcamp (M)
Inyo Mountains and Saline Valley
Return to Saline Valley with Friends of the Inyos, this time to
clear tamarisk from a remote canyon. There will be plenty of
rock scrambling to get above the falls in Cougar Canyon.
We'll have time to monitor last year's work and scout
Beaveridge, Pat Keyes, and Daisy Canyons. We'll camp one
quiet night in a canyon, another at the hot springs. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
robtlyon@sbcglobal.net
November 22-24 (Thurs-Sat)
China Ranch/Amargosa Canyon Carcamp (M)
Southern Inyo County, Mojave Desert
This Gobble Day explore a southern Utah-style canyon,
dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Mojave," with adjoining
narrows, as well as a desert wonderland near China Ranch (an
operating date ranch oasis), then explore throughout the
Amargosa Canyon, along the Amargosa River (eligible for
National Wild and Scenic River protection -- the first in the
desert). This is easy-to-moderate hiking, but the lengths each
day will be 7-12 mi. Optional Tecopa hot springs Saturday
night. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
November 22-25 (Thu-Sun)
Chuckwalla Mountains Carcamp (M)
Southeastern Riverside County
Last Thanksgiving we enjoyed a great trip on old prospector
trails in the Chuckwalla Wilderness south of Joshua Tree. This
year we'll do it again, searching out new trails in the interior.
We'll camp at the BLM's Corn Springs Campground and Corn
Springs Wash. Features include granite and metamorphic rock,
washes, petroglyphs, Sonoran vegetation, and outstanding
views. Also, the thrill of discovery as we search out old
routes. Winter weather should be cool, and we'll enjoy good
campfires. Participants must stay behind the leader while
hiking. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Nov 17 (Sat)
Antioch Dunes Service Trip (E/M)
This is the first in a series of work parties to assist the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service with removing invasive species from
the 67-acre refuge in Antioch, California, to help keep three
threatened species from going extinct. Meet at 10 a.m., rain
or shine; bring lunch. We need a head count so we will have
enough gloves/tools/snacks. If you can't make this one, contact
Karen to get on her mailing list for future work parties.
Contact Leader: Karen Rusiniak (510) 843-0337
antiochdunes@yahoo.com
December 7-9 (Fri-Sun tentative)
Redrock Canyon Carcamp (E)
Northwestern Mojave
Fantastic rock formations, corrugated red sandstone cliffs, and
cold clear nights around a campfire amidst the Joshua trees in
Redrock Canyon State Park. Does it get any better? We'll do
two or three short day hikes and maybe a trip to Burro Smith's
tunnel. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
robtlyon@sbcglobal.net
December 15 (Sat)
Claremont Preserve/Tilden Park Dayhike (M)
Berkeley, CA
Starting just north of the Claremont Hotel, we'll do a loop
hike of about 6-7 mi. with great views. Get those rusty winter
legs out! Rain might cancel. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
December 15 (Sat)
Desert Survivors Holiday Party (E)
San Francisco
Blow away those short day/long night blues at our wintertime
holiday party and enjoy the traditional potluck dinner, a White
Elephant gift exchange, and slides of past trips. We'll also
conduct a fundraiser auction, so bring your old camping and
backpacking gear. A detailed flyer with location, directions,
and map accompanies this mailing.
For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
December 16 (Sun)
Mt. Tamalpais Dayhike (E)
Meet at the California Alpine Club on Mt. Tam at 9:30 for a
joint hike with the Sierra Club, Alpine Club members, and
Desert Survivors. Look forward to wonderful Marin vistas and
a waterfall or two. The Alpine Club will be open before and
after the hike with inexpensive refreshments, a cozy fire, and
a tour of the historic facility if desired. Limited parking;
please carpool. Rain cancels. Call for directions.
Contact Leader: Jannet Schraer (707) 748-1190
December 22-25 (Sat-Tue)
Chemehuevi Wilderness Backpack (M)
Eastern San Bernardino County
Backpack four days across the Chemehuevi Mountains for
Christmas, from north to south. Two springs may or may not
have water. Hiking will be in sandy washes and tight gulches,
traversing rocky hillsides with slow going, watching for
bighorn amidst outstanding scenery of granite slabs and cliffs.
Palo verde and ironwood trees in washes provide contrast to
bare rock. Enjoy warm days, cool nights under a full moon.
Note: Participants must stay behind the leader while hiking; if
you can't do this, please choose another trip. Limit 15.
Contact leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
December 29 - January 1 (Sat-Tue)
Owl Mountains Carcamp (M)
Southern Death Valley National Park
Celebrate the end of 2007 and the New Year desert style --
peacefully! In the southernmost region of Death Valley, we'll
explore the hidden Ibex Dunes and Saratoga Spring (a
wonderful series of large ponds and old mines) -- great birding
area. We will camp about 25 miles up the well-graded Owl
Hole Spring Road near Black Magic Mine. From there, we'll
explore the remote low Owl Mountains and dry Owl Lake.
Campfires, low elevations and camaraderie should make for
warm and magical times. Carpooling strongly encouraged.
Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
January 11-13 (Fri-Sun)
Amargosa River Trail Service Trip (M)
Northern Mojave
The Amargosa River is a unique, scenic, natural, and cultural
treasure recently determined eligible for the Wild and Scenic
Rivers System. The Amargosa River Valley is an entrenched
canyon containing an unexpected riparian corridor. The trail
enters the canyon near the town of Tecopa and closely follows
the historic Tonopah and Tidewater rail bed in the canyon to
China Ranch. This is also the path of the Desert Trail and the
Old Spanish National Historic Trail. We will work on six
miles of trail from China Ranch Creek to Modine Meadows
clearing brush, leveling tread, and controlling erosion.
Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
robtlyon@sbcglobal.net
January 19 (Sat)
Wildcat Regional Park Dayhike (M)
Richmond, CA
In the area just north of Tilden Regional Park, we'll do a loop
hike of about 6-7 mi. with great views. Get those rusty winter
legs out! Rain might cancel. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510 ) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
January 19-21 (Sat-Mon)
Little Chuckwalla Carcamp (M)
Southeastern Riverside County
Dayhike three days in this wilderness and the nearby Mule
Mtns. south of I-10. Hike washes and bajadas, but we may
also go up a rocky peak in the center. The wilderness is
known for bighorn and tortoise. We'll also watch for old
Indian trails leading to the Colorado River. Camp by the cars
under a full moon, enjoy campfires both evenings. Note: This
is a wildlife-viewing trip. Participants must stay behind the
leader while hiking; if you cannot do this, please choose
another trip. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
January 19-21 (Sat-Mon)
Tortoise & Petroglyphs Service Trip (E/M)
Northern Mojave
The El Paso Wilderness, east of Red Rock Canyon State Park
and north of the town of Mojave, is home to abandoned
mining ventures, petroglyphs, and bird guzzlers. We will
install ramps in several guzzlers so that desert tortoises are
not trapped when they fall in, and we will celebrate the trip
on Monday with a hike through the washes and ridges of the
interior. Primitive carcamping. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
February 2 (Sat)
Morgan Territory Dayhike (E)
In this regional park just north of Livermore, we'll do a loop
hike of about 6-7 mi. with great views. Get those rusty winter
legs out! Rain might cancel. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
February 2 (Sat)
Desert Survivors Groundhog Day Party (E)
San Francisco Bay Area (to be announced)
Push aside wintertime cabin fever and get inspired for the
desert spring hiking season to come -- our Spring Trip Schedule
will be available, with plenty of good trips. This party is an
opportunity to meet new friends, share a potluck meal, and
show slides from Survivors winter trips. Bring your own
desert slides, DS trips or not! A separate flyer gives details
about the location and how to get there.
For more information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
February 16-18 (Sat-Mon)
Old Dad Mountains Backpack (M)
Southern Mojave
An exploratory trip into an area that will be completely new
to me. Early spring weather is often sublime in the California
Desert, or we could be treated to fantastic storms. In either
event, if we're lucky, we'll see the bighorn sheep that live here
and some early spring wildflowers. Carry all water. Limit 8.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan (510) 528-3360
February 15-18 (Fri-Mon)
Corridor Canyon/Racetrack Backpack (S)
Death Valley National Park
Explore stunning geology and solitude in a remote northern
region of the park, replete with fossils from when Death
Valley was a coral reef, possible rock art sightings, and a
nearly mile-long slot canyon or corridor no more than 30 ft.
wide. We'll start at the Ubehebe Mine and hike downhill,
exploring many side canyons. We'll save time on our way to
enjoy the Racetrack Valley with its famous moving rocks.
Carry all water. Possibility of snow or rain, but we should be
okay at this lower elevation. Road in can be done by low-
clearance vehicles, but I'd recommend high-clearance.
Carpooling strongly encouraged. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510 ) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
February 16-18 (Sat-Mon)
Death Valley Northeast Carcamp (M)
This Presidents' Day we'll visit Death Valley's northeast side,
exploring from Mesquite Campground and Scotty's Castle.
We'll hike in the Cottonwood Mtns. to the west, the Grapevine
Mtns. to the east, and Ubehebe Crater. Sedimentary rock,
excellent springs at Grapevine, and always the chance of a
bighorn sighting. Hikes in sandy washes and rocky canyons,
8-12 mi. in length. As always in winter, we'll enjoy campfires
and good cheer. Note: Participants must stay behind the leader
while hiking; if you cannot do this, please choose another trip.
Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
February 23-24 (Sat-Sun)
Greenwater Canyon and Valley Carcamp (E)
Death Valley National Park
We'll do two dayhikes to check out two of the "roads" that are
the subject of Inyo County's RS-2477 lawsuit against Death
Valley National Park. One of the hikes will take us through
Greenwater Canyon (the alleged Petro Road), where we'll
explore for petroglyphs. The canyon leads us up into
Greenwater Valley, where our second hike will traverse the
Lost Section Road. The first hike will be one-way with a
shuttle, the second will be a loop with possibly some cross-
country. Total distance for the two hikes approximately 20 mi.
Limit 15.
Contact Leader: John Wilkinson (408) 947-0858
johnfw1@mac.com
February 23 (Sat)
Sibley Regional Park Dayhike (M)
Oakland, CA
In the Oakland hills, we'll do a loop hike of about 5 mi. with
great views. Get those rusty winter legs out! Rain might
cancel. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
March 7-9 (Fri-Sun)
End of Winter Backpack (E/M)
Golden Valley Wilderness Area
The interior of this wilderness includes low mountains,
petroglyphs, deep washes, and a long, wide valley. We will
walk a short distance in and set up camp for both nights.
Saturday will feature a longer hike to the north end of the
wilderness, where we will monitor the water resources
(guzzlers) and keep a record of ORV impacts. A Sunday climb
of either Klinker or Almond Mountain is essential. Carry all
water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
March 7-9 (Fri-Sun)
Mojave Preserve Carcamp (M)
Look for details in the Spring Survivors Schedule. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
March 21-24, 2008 (Fri-Mon)
Sylvania Mountains Wilderness Area
California/Nevada Stateline
Conversations with Coyotes: part nature quest, vision quest --
this is a backpack. The focus of this trip is to mindfully
connect with the spirituality of nature through listening deeply
and moving slowly. We will have a silent day, a still day, and
two days of sharing our experiences with other under the
guidance of my facilitation. This is not a touchy-feely group
session, it's more of a way to connect deeper to the desert and
ourselves. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Kenneth Logan (510) 420-1442
kenneth.logan@sf.frb.org
Desert Wildflowers: Where and When?
An often asked question of Desert Survivors is "what trip should I choose to see desert wildflowers". This can sometimes be a difficult question to answer. Phone the trip leader and ask that question if you are interested in that aspect of your trip. Click on the above link for additional information about desert wildflowers.
Previous Trips Information Available Here
Past Trips for Winter 2003/2004
Past Trips for Winter 2004/2005
Past Trips for Winter 2005/2006
Past Trips for Winter 2006/2007
Last Updated: Friday October 19, 2007