September 8-10 (Fri-Sun)
Crooked Meadows Carcamp (M)
South of Mono Lake
Crooked Meadows lies between Bald Mountain and Glass Mountain in a landscape of
sagebrush and Ponderosa Pine. We'll begin at Mono Lake Visitor Center, explore
Panum Crater, then hike in rarely visited Wild Cow and Dexter Canyons.
Outstanding scenery and wildlife abound. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
September 22-24 (Fri-Sun)
Benton Hot Springs Bash & Annual Meeting (E)
Eastern Sierra
For this 25th Anniversary event, we have rented all nine hot tubs at Benton Hot
Springs from noon Friday to noon Sunday. In addition to a short meeting on
Saturday, there will be day activities, communal meals, a scavenger hunt,
singing around the campfire, and general camaraderie and celebration years. We
would like to see the old-time members, the newest members, and all the
regulars. To sign up, send a $25 check per person (made out to DS), along with a
SASE, to Karen Rusiniak, 1821 8th St. Apt. B, Berkeley, CA 94710.
For more information, call Karen, (510) 843-0337,
or Steve Tabor, (510) 769-1706.
October 7-8 (Sat-Sun)
Chimney Peak Wilderness Carcamp (M)
Northern Kern County
Enjoy two days of hiking east of Lake Isabella on the Pacific Crest Trail in
shady woods -- lots of uphill, but gently graded. We'll camp at a BLM campground
with a warm fire. Fall colors should be nice; pinyon nuts may be ripe; deer,
cougar, and bears optional. To facilitate wildlife viewing, participants must
stay behind the leader while hiking. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
October 20-22 (Fri-Sun)
Cottonwood/Marble Canyon Backpack (M)
Death Valley National Park
A classic Death Valley hike from the riparian oases of Cottonwood Canyon to the
deep slots of Marble Canyon. In between, we'll cross a high meadow that's home
to Death Valley's only wild horses. Petroglyphs and pioneer inscriptions mark
the brief human history of this remarkable area. Minimal water carry; suitable
for beginning backpackers. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
October 27-29 (Fri-Sun)
Cady Mountains Backpack (M/S)
East Mojave Desert
Immediately east of Barstow is a proposed wilderness area. Although these
mountains appear desolate from the Interstate highway nearby, the interior
valleys, washes, and mountains are scenic, rugged, and seldom visited. Using a
car shuttle, we will have a one-way trip of about 21 mi. with an opportunity to
climb one of the high points. A water cache along the route will reduce our pack
weight somewhat. Autumn weather should make this normally hot desert a pleasant
trip. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
November 3-5 (Fri-Sun)
Cerro Gordo Peak Backpack (M/S)
This 9,180' peak is the southernmost highpoint of the Inyo Mountains. Starting
from Lee Flat, we will backpack partway up the mountain, exploring old mining
sites and ruins as we go, and set up camp in a juniper/pine forest. The second
day will be a strenuous dayhike to the summit, where we will look down upon, but
not visit, the ghost town of Cerro Gordo. On the third day we will backpack out.
Cool weather, short days, and long, starry nights. Carry all water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan (510) 528-3360
November 10-12 (Fri-Sun)
Inyo Mountains Service Trip Carcamp (M)
Saline Valley (DVNP)
Help stop the tamarisk invasion! We'll help BLM and Friends of the Inyos remove
tamarisk from Beveridge and Pat Keyes Canyons on the steep eastern flank of the
Inyos, and set up test plots to monitor our success. Afterwards a hot springs
soak will reward our work. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
November 18-19 (Sat-Sun)
Red Rock Canyon Carcamp (M)
Northwestern Mojave
From the campground in Red Rock Canyon State Park, with its colorful sedimentary
formations, we'll hike on trails and old jeep routes. The fall sun accentuates
the cliffs' beauty, and cooler weather may bring out raptors and other wildlife.
Some of the country is rough, but easy gradients make hiking manageable. To
facilitate wildlife viewing, participants must stay behind the leader while
hiking. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
November 18-19 (Sat-Sun)
Rock Art Carcamp (E/M)
Southern Owens Valley
This outing will take us to four different petroglyph sites. Saturday we will
visit sites in an area bordering the Coso Mountains. Sunday we will be escorted
to Little Petroglyph Canyon on the China Lake Naval Weapons Station. Because of
government restrictions for the weapons center, all arrangements and
confirmations must be completed by November 1. High clearance 2WD is sufficient;
dayhiking, potluck dinner. Limit 14.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
November 23-26 (Thu-Sun)
Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness Carcamp (M)
Central Riverside County
Spend Thanksgiving weekend here south of Joshua Tree NP. We'll camp at Corn
Springs campground and do three hikes: west, southwest, and south. Features
include granite rock, washes, petroglyphs, Sonoran vegetation, and a peak climb
with outstanding views. The fourth day we'll hike on the north or west side.
Winter weather should be cool, and we'll enjoy good campfires. To facilitate
wildlife viewing, participants must stay behind the leader while hiking. Limit
15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
November 24-26 (Fri-Sun)
Manzanar/Alabama Hills Carcamp (M)
Owens Valley
We will see the Eastern California Museum in Independence for a picture of daily
life at Manzanar, then we'll visit the World War II internment camp. Later we'll
travel through the beautiful Alabama Hills, site of countless western movies.
The snow-capped Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains provide
unmatched background scenery. Camping at Tuttle Creek or Santa Rita Flat. Limit
15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
December 3 (Sun)
The Incredible Desert (E)
North Beach, San Francisco
This year's annual holiday party, another 25th anniversary event, will be an
informative, entertaining celebration of the desert at Broadway Studios in North
Beach, from 3 to 8:30 p.m. It will be catered with a no-host bar and will be
advertised to the public. Entertainment will be provided by the membership.
Volunteers are now working on a multimedia presentation that honors both the
founding of the club and the California and Nevada deserts. More details
in a later mailing. Limit 200. Note: We are looking for additional talent!
For more information, contact Gerry Fait, (415) 331-1072