Desert Survivors Past Trip Schedule
Spring 2003
The trips on this page are completed. Any member that went on a trip is encouraged to send pictures, trail notes, stories for posting on the website.
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February
15-17 (Sat-Mon)
Death Valley Carcamp (M)
We'll camp and hike the three days of Presidents' Day weekend in Death Valley.
Explore Red Amphitheater one day, hike to Indian Pass the second, walk the
valley floor near Furnace Creek on the third. Hikes will be mostly gentle and at
low elevation, below 3500'. I'll have geology maps along for interpretation. Not
sure where we'll camp, but bring money for park fees. Help me enjoy my first
carcamp to the valley floor in five years. It's a full-moon weekend, another
good reason to come along.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Death Valley Car Camp Pictures
February
14-16 (Fri-Sun)
San Mateo Canyon Wilderness Backpack (M)
Bring your sweetheart along for Valentine's Day in the Cleveland National Forest
near Lake Elsinore. We'll start along the heavily wooded riparian corridor of
San Mateo Canyon and explore rugged desert and mountains on our return. Moderate
water carry. Limit 8.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 333-6602
February
15-17 (Sat-Mon)
Rodman/Newbury Mountains Carcamp
Southern Mojave Desert
Spend Presidents' Day weekend exploring two wilderness areas. A lava plateau,
wide canyons between the high points, pictographs, and bighorn sheep are among
the attractions. We will travel by car, explore with daypacks on foot, and climb
Newbury peak on the second day. Because these areas are close to Barstow they
have been significantly impacted by off-road vehicle users. We will monitor and
document the use of these areas and report to the BLM.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
February
15-17 (Sat-Mon)
Eagle Mountains Peak Backpack (M)
Joshua Tree National Park
The Eagle Mountains are a 30-mile wall of rock and rubble forming the southern
boundary of the magnificent Pinto Basin. On this trip, our goal will be to make
the high point at the western edge of the range, elevation 5,130'. After
backpacking across a portion of the basin, enjoying its stunning vastness, we
will set up camp and dayhike to Eagle Mountain Peak. Views from the summit
should be spectacular. A few early flowers are a possibility, and the weather
this time of year is usually perfect. Carry all water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan (510) 528-3360
March 8-10
(Sat-Mon)
Eagle Mountains Peak Backpack (M)
Joshua Tree National Park
The Eagle Mountains are a 30-mile wall of rock and rubble forming the southern
boundary of the magnificent Pinto Basin. On this trip, our goal will be to make
the 5130' high point at the western edge of the range. After backpacking across
a portion of the Basin enjoying its stunning vastness, we will set up camp and
dayhike to Eagle Mountain Peak. Views from the summit should be spectacular. A
few early flowers are a possibility, and the weather this time of year is
usually perfect. Carry all water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan (510) 528-3360
March 14-16
(Fri-Sun)
Calumet Mountains Waterhole Search (M)
South-Central San Bernardino County Backpack
The Calif. Department of Fish & Game proposes a "guzzler" (water catchment) in the Sheephole Valley Wilderness. They claim there's no native water for bighorn,
yet we know sheep are there. We'll search the range's east-side canyons looking
for natural rock tanks (tinajas) that may hold water. We'll hike every canyon to
its head; maybe they don't need that guzzler after all. Although a backpack,
we'll mostly be dayhiking in narrow granite canyons. Expect beautiful rock, and
maybe we'll get to see some sheep too. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
March 15-17
(Sat-Mon)
Saline Valley Salt Tram Backpack (S)
Inyo Mountains
One of the seven engineering wonders of the desert was the 1912 tramway to carry
salt from Saline Valley over the Inyos to the railroad at Owens Lake. We will
backpack up about 2000' from the base near Saline Dry Lake carrying all water
for a two-night stay at the lower control station. Our Sunday dayhike will
follow the cables up and over the canyon to the middle control station, over
2000' higher yet. Marvel at both the manmade structures and the natural gorge of
rugged Daisy Canyon. Expect some loose scrambling, knockout views, and an Inyos
good time. Limit 8.
Contact Leader: Bob Ellis (510) 525-8742
Grapevine Canyons Backpack (Note that this will take you to the Bob Ellis Website. Use your browsers back button to return to Desert Survivors)
March 21-23
(Fri-Sun)
Death Valley Bicycle Trek (M)
How about three days of biking and camping in and around Death Valley? We'll
spend two days biking from the ghost town of Rhyolite and on through incredible
Titus Canyon. It's a 28-mile ride with the last 14 all downhill. We'll also do a
one-day, ten-mile flatland ride, probably to lovely overlooked Saratoga Springs.
Plan on carrying all gear on your bike, but maybe we'll get some car porters!
Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Paul Menkes (510) 525-9347
March 29-31
(Sat-Mon)
Desert Tortoise Natural Area (E/M)
Service Trip Carcamp
These work parties provide a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to become
intimately acquainted with tortoise habitat. This spring's work will concentrate
on signing and fence construction on recently acquired lands around the DTNA and
other tasks on the Pilot Knob allotment. Attendees will be able to enjoy the
traditional overnight campout and campfire. Sufficient rains means wildflowers
too. More details at www.tortoise-tracks.org/dtpc/helpdtpc.html. A nearly new
moon will enhance stargazing. Children welcome.
Contact Leader: Dave McMullen (510) 559-9114
April 4-6
(Fri-Sun)
Mesquite Wilderness Carcamp (M)
Northeastern Mojave Desert
We'll visit two remote ranges in Southern California near the Nevada border. The
Mesquite and North Mesquite Wilderness Areas in the Mojave exhibit unusual
sedimentary rock layers. Joshua trees, blackbrush, and desert grasses grow in
the hills, creosote bush in the valleys. A paved road along the west side will
make access easy for our long dayhikes. We'll watch for desert tortoise as we
hike, and hope for a wildflower show if there's rain. Join us for a visit to two
places the Survivors have not yet explored.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
April 11-13
(Fri-Sun)
Golden Valley Wilderness (E/M)
Monitoring Service Trip Carcamp
DS is undertaking a new systematic approach to wilderness monitoring, and this
trip launches our effort. Traversing preselected routes, we will hone our
observation skills while recording our findings. Nightly critiques around the
campfire of the forms and techniques employed will aid in refining the system.
Accumulated information will be used by DS and others toward protecting precious
desert lands. This WA is renowned for its spectacular wildflower displays in
good years as well as petroglyphs and archeological sites. Monitoring is an
educational, fun, and rewarding way to explore the desert.
Contact Leader: Dave McMullen (510) 559-9114
April 12-14 (Sat-Mon)
Kingston Range Backpack (M/S)
Northeastern Mojave Desert
The Kingston Range is one of the California desert's crown jewels. Incredible
biological diversity and stunning views are the highlights of this trip. Our
goal will be to visit a relic stand of white firs, look for nolinas in bloom,
and reach the 7323' high point. However, this may be a great wildflower year, so
we may adjust our plans accordingly. Depending on our route, we may or may not
have to carry all our water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan (510) 528-3360
A short synopsis of the trip report filed by Dave Halligan after this trip. Watch for the Summer issue of The Survivor for additional information
The Kingston Range is truly one of the gems of the California Desert. A biologically diverse and visually stunning range, it should be on the “must see list” of every desert explorer. The wildflower display was quite good; a nice mix of both annuals and cacti were in full bloom. The large nolina plants that populate this range were also fascinating to see, but none of them were in bloom. However, the yuccas were up to the task. Many were sprouting beautiful bunches of waxy, white flowers. Dancing hummingbirds, a lizard impaled by a shrike, a gopher snake: these sights and many more will keep Desert Survivors coming back to the Kingston Range for many years.
Kingston Range Backpack Pictures
You will need to use your Browsers Back Button to return to Desert Survivors after viewing the pictures. If you happen to "watch" Paul's picture slide show you will lose the ability to "come back" to the DS website using the browsers back button. Just return to the DS Homepage when you are done by using the same method you used to first arrive. We are working on this technical glitch and hope to have a fix for it soon.
April 19
(Sat)
Desert Survivors Earth Day Party (E)
Come celebrate both the spring season and our activist program. Early in the
day, we'll attend the Berkeley Earth Day Celebration, staffing our outreach
table and dancing our Desert Survivors rattlesnake in the parade. In the
evening, we'll gather at a member's house for a potluck meal and party to meet,
greet, and show slides after sundown. This event is a great opportunity to meet
new friends and get involved in Desert Survivors activities and networks. A
separate flyer will give further details. Join us!
For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
April 25-27
(Fri-Sun)
Bighorn Mountains Wilderness (M)
Monitoring Service Trip Carcamp
The BLM has asked us to monitor this Wilderness. We'll observe its general
condition, record ORV trespass and wildlife sightings, and examine and
photograph a remote cabin. The cabin may be a historic site; it may be a
candidate for removal if it's a trash dump and a magnet for ORV trespassers and
vandals. We'll also visit Ruby Canyon in the wilderness' eastern sector and
Arrastre Canyon, once home of the world's largest Joshua tree, now burnt in a
fire. Hiking is in washes and rough canyons. Weather should be ideal.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
May 24-26
(Sat-Mon)
Inyo Crest Backpack (S)
Inyo Mountains
This land of old mines, mill sites, forgotten trails, and legendary eccentrics
is largely undocumented and is known by word of mouth only. We begin near Lone
Pine and climb by trail to the crest of the range. The second day will be
cross-country travel northward with extraordinary views westward across the
Owens Valley toward the Sierras and eastward across Saline and Death Valleys.
The descent from Forgotten Pass to French Spring is again by trail. Carry some
water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
May 24-26
(Sat-Mon)
Sheldon Wildlife Refuge Carcamp (M)
Northwestern Nevada
Explore a high sagebrush desert near the Oregon border marked by low hills, high
plateaus, and canyons, some with flowing water. We'll set up at Horse Canyon
Spring Campground, then do three day-long hikes to Catnip Mountain with its
outstanding views, to Gooch Table with its shallow lakes and open flat top
hiking, and to Fish Creek, a meandering stream with riparian vegetation. Expect
cool temperatures, galloping antelope, soaring hawks and eagles, perhaps a sage
grouse or two, and wildflowers. This high plateau country is at its best in May.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
May 24-26
(Sat-Mon)
Kawich Range Backpack (S)
Central Nevada Volcanic Plateau
Come with us on another attempt to visit the Bellehelen Lakes. At 9000' these
ephemeral water sources support rare plants, wild horses, and mule deer. Just
south of Hwy 6 east of Tonopah, the high plateau of the Kawich Range is not
often visited except by hunters. We will be carrying three days', water up 3000'
on rough trails to our basecamp on Saturday, explore to uplands on Sunday, and
return Monday on an alternate route. Expect the unexpected here; we've hit snow,
winds, heat, but always enjoyed our visit. Meet some classic pinon-juniper
interspersed with mountain mahogany and limber pine. Limit 8.
Contact Leader: Bob Ellis (510) 525-8742
Last Updated: Sunday, January 28, 2007