PLANNED WINTER 2003/2004 TRIPS

1. December 13 (Sat)
Desert Survivors Holiday Party (E)
Last year's party was a joy. This year's should be no different. The holiday season is a time to come together for fun and frolic, with a potluck dinner, the traditional "White Elephant" gift exchange, and slides of past trips. We'll also conduct a fundraiser auction--save your old camping and backpacking gear! It will be festive occasion, so mark your calendar. A flyer with location and directions accompanies this mailing.
Additional information here.
For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

2. December 25-28 (Thu-Sun)
Imperial Dunes Monitoring Backpack (M)
Southeastern California
A novelty this Christmas, a monitoring trip across the controversial Algodones (Imperial) Dunes near Yuma. We'll explore and photograph the part the BLM is supposed to be protecting from off-road vehicles. Camp and hike in the dunes, surrounded by sand. Good stars and a crescent moon. Backpack 27 miles, plus one day hike of 10 miles. Carry all water. The leader will write a monitoring report afterward.
Note: This is a wildlife viewing and monitoring 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

3. January 2-4 (Fri-Sun)
Carrizo Gorge Backpack (M)
Southern San Diego County
Follow the Desert Trail from the Mexican Border to Anza Borrego through a 2000'-deep granite gorge. Boulders, rockfalls, riparian vegetation, and water-filled pools add to the adventure. Water along the way. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885.

4. January 23-25 (Fri-Sun)
Backpack the Middle Desert (M)
Chuckwalla Wilderness, East Riverside County
The Chuckwalla Mountains, lying between the low and high deserts of Southern California, include low peaks, sandy washes, several springs, and long views. We will ascend Ship Creek, climb Pilot Mountain, and exit the wilderness area along another wash to the north. We carry two days of water 24 miles cross-country. Suitable for beginning backpackers who are in reasonable physical condition. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net

5. January 23-25 (Fri-Sun)
Clipper Mountains Monitoring Carcamp (M)
Southern Mojave
Three days exploring lava hills and canyons in this colorful volcanic wilderness near Route 66. Emphasis will be on surveying bighorn water and looking for sheep. We'll visit four springs, map and photograph them and any "game guzzlers" we find. Easy travel in washes,  with some rocks in the canyons. Camping at the cars in open desert with no moon, good stars. Note: This is a wildlife viewing and monitoring trip. Participants must stay behind the leader while hiking. If you cannot do this, please choose another trip.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

6. January 30 - February 1 (Fri-Sun)
Black Mountains Carcamp (M)
Death Valley National Park
Several colorful canyons slice into the Black Mountains in southern Death Valley. We first explore Ashford Canyon, with better "mosaic"  rocks than Mosaic Canyon and the ruins of Ashford Mine, complete with splendid outhouse overhanging a gorge, and maybe ascend Desert Hound Peak (800' climb to mine, 2500' to peak). Next day we'll follow Virgin Spring Canyon and attempt to find remote Desert Hound Mine (2300' gain.) Last day, a gorgeous short hike up Scotty's Canyon (of "Scotty's Castle" fame) to see the grottos where he hung out during his prospecting days (1000' gain). Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Lucy DuPertuis (530) 573-0965

7. January 31 (Sat)
Groundhog Day Party (E)
We'll get a head start on the groundhog this January. This party is a good way to break that wintertime cabin fever and get inspired for the desert spring hiking season and those much-hoped-for wildflowers. Our Spring Trip Schedule will be out, with plenty of good trips to sample. Take the opportunity to meet new friends, share a potluck meal, and show slides from Survivors' winter trips (and any you've done yourself). A separate flyer will give details about the location and how to get there. Join us!
Additional Information Here
For more information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

8. February 6-8 (Fri-Sun)
Piute/El Paso Mountains Carcamp (M)
Northern Mojave
After setting up base camp and marveling at the accordion-pleated cliffs of Red Rock Canyon, we'll visit two outstanding birding and wildlife areas at Butterbredt Spring and Kelso Creek. Bring stories and music for the campfire. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885.

9. February 14-16 (Sat-Mon)
Skiing in the Desert (M)
Owens Valley Carcamp
The desert is a new world when it is covered with snow. We will headquarter at the Pleasant Valley campground (cold) near Bishop. One day will be cross-country skiing at Mono Craters, another will be along the road at the crest of the White Mountains, and the final day will be east of Highway 395 between Mammoth and June Mountains. Little experience needed, views are wonderful. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net

10. February 14-16 (Sat-Mon)
Rabbit Peak Backpack (S)
Santa Rosa Wilderness
Rabbit Peak (6623') isn't the high point of the Santa Rosa Mountains, but it is one of the more challenging peaks in our desert. Lying just north of Anza Borrego Desert State Park, gaining the peak requires a strenuous, carry-all-water, shadeless, uphill, cross-country backpack along rocky ridges full of creosote, ocotillo, agave, and cactus. Your reward will be terrific views of the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sink, and maybe a bighorn sighting. A classic. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan 510-528-3360

11. February 14-16 (Sat-Mon)
Piutes/Little Piutes Monitoring Carcamp (M)
Southern Mojave
Spend President's Day weekend monitoring a small wilderness in the Mojave near Route 66. Gentle hikes with some rocky washes. Begin with a hike into the Little Piutes looking for ancient metamorphic rocks thrust-faulted from Arizona. Next day, a long loop in the Piutes to a spring, hunting for bighorn. Final day, check out Barrel Spring in the Piutes. The leader will take pictures and make notes for  an official report. Note: This is a wildlife viewing and monitoring trip. Participants must stay behind the leader while hiking. If you cannot do this, please choose another trip.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Click Here For Additional Trip Information

12. February 27-29 (Fri-Sun)
Providence Mountains Backpack (M/S)
Mojave National Preserve
Our route will follow the Desert Trail from Kelso Depot across the Providence Mountains and Wildhorse Mesa, finally winding through the slot canyon at Hole-in-the-Wall. Some hikers may want to continue 8 miles to Mid-Hills. Features mixed Great Basin-Mojave plants, geological oddities, and Native American history. Carry two days' water. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885.

13. March 6-8 (Sat-Mon)
Flowers, Antelope, and Service Carcamp (E)
Carrizo Plain National Monument
On Saturday and Sunday we will assist monument staff in the removal of fence wires to allow antelope freer access to the range. Monday we will have time for sightseeing. The views from the Caliente Mountains are spectacular; spring flowers should be blooming, and the monument is known for the number and variety of raptors present. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche, 310-477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net