Desert Survivors Past Trip Schedule
Fall 2003
1. September 17-19
(Fri-Sun)
Black Rock Desert Service Trip Carcamp (M)
Northwest Nevada
Celebrate Public Lands Day at Soldier Meadows. Friday we'll hike along the Desert Trail in High Rock Canyon. Saturday will be a work day with BLM Volunteers to clean up wilderness areas. In the evening we'll celebrate with a campfire, speakers, and entertainment. Bring your work gloves, food to share, music, and good spirits. Be part of the entertainment if you like. Limit 15. Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
2. October 2-4 (Sat-Mon)
Piper and Sylvania Mountains Service Trip (M)
Camping & Hiking, North of Death Valley
Our trip combines the pleasures
of exploring a remote setting, early fall weather, and the satisfaction of
protecting these places that we value. On Saturday and Monday we will assist a
BLM specialist in closing the east boundary of this wilderness area to illegal
ORV entry and in rehabilitating previous damage. Sunday will be a hike to the
summit of nearby Sylvania Peak for long views west to the Sierra and east into
Nevada.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670 deutsche@earthlink.net
3. October 8-10 (Fri-Sun)
Monte Cristo Mountains Carcamp (M)
Western Nevada
We'll hike three days in this
isolated range east of the White Mountains. Expect convoluted canyons, low
ridges, and some color in rugged volcanic rock. No water but plenty of geology
to investigate. Hikes will be long but without much steep uphill. A late moon
promises brilliant stars. Farewell to Nevada before the snow comes down, but we
could have a warm Indian Summer. 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
4. October 15-17 (Fri-Sun)
Cottonwood/Marble Canyon Backpack (M)
Death Valley National Park
Backpack along a classic trail that's considered one of America's best hikes. We'll travel from open wash through dense Cottonwood forest, across alluvial plains and into a deep slot canyon. We'll see petroglyphs, pioneer inscriptions, and signs of mountain lion and bighorn. If you do only one hike this year, this should be it. Minimal water carry. Suitable for beginners. Limit 12. Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
5. October 23 (Sat)
Annual Meeting/Desert Conference (E)
Save the date! The Desert
Survivors' Annual Membership Meeting is the one time each year when members
gather to elect Directors and make Bylaws changes, but we'll do more. As last
year, presentations on environmental topics and issues will accompany the
speeches and the election. To follow will be the traditional potluck meal plus
some real entertainment appropriate for a Saturday night. Details in a separate
mailing.
For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
6. October 29-31 (Fri-Sun)
Ubehebe-to-Eureka Dunes Backpack (S)
Death Valley National Park
Three days on the Desert Trail,
Ubehebe Crater to Eureka Dunes. Hike in Death Valley, then cross the Last Chance
Range at 5700', descend Dedeckera Canyon amid rare plants. Features: barren
washes in Death Valley, limestone cliffs on the ridge, views of Eureka Dunes; 23
miles, but we'll hike at a moderate pace. Carry all water. Weather should be
cool as the season turns. 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
7. November 5-7 (Fri-Sun)
Santa Rosa Mountains Backpack (M)
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mtns Nat'l Monument
The Santa Rosas lie south of
Palm Springs and north of Anza Borrego. The high point is Toro Peak (8,716';
2,657m). We'll visit this summit and perhaps other worthy high points as we
follow what were originally Native American trails through this wonderful desert
range of dry washes and pinyon-juniper. This trail passes by several
(unreliable) springs, so there is chance of seeing some of the bighorn sheep
that still hang on in these mountains. Backpacking should be moderate, but we
will be carrying all our water. Car shuttle. Limit 8.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan (510) 528-3360
8. November 12-14
(Fri-Sun)
Table Mtn/Valley of the Moon Carcamp (M)
Southeast San Diego County
A sacred mountain, prehistoric
Indian encampments, diverse plant life, and fantastic wind-carved boulders
highlight this trip to the Jacumba region. We'll hike up Table Mountain where
Kumayaay shamans tracked the sun. Then we'll explore the caves and jumbled rock
formations in the Valley of the Moon which have sheltered smugglers and
travelers for a century. Saturday we'll see the folk art at Desert View Tower
then walk to the Jacumba Wilderness looking for bighorn sheep and Baja cactus.
Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
9. November 25-28
(Thu-Sun) Thanksgiving Weekend
East Imperial County Carcamp (M)
Thanksgiving weekend in the far
southland near the Colorado River. Hikes in four different environments: one day
in the Indian Pass Wilderness in ironwood-lined washes, one in the Cargo Muchaco
Mtns. on barren rock, a day in the Imperial Dunes watching for off-road vehicle
trespass, another looking for geoglyphs. Each is like a world in itself. Short
days mean quick dayhikes and long nights around the campfire on this full-moon
weekend. Note: This is a wildlife viewing trip. Participants must stay behind
the leader while hiking. If you cannot do this, choose another trip. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706