December 3 (Sun)
"Incredible Desert" Event (E)
San Francisco
Celebrating Desert Survivors' 25th Anniversary, our holiday party is a
multimedia show and catered dinner at Broadway Studios, an elegant showplace
in North Beach, from 3 to 9 p.m., to finish the year in grand style. We'll
have a video on DS, speeches by founders, original skits and art performances,
and dancing afterward. Sign up by November 18. Limit 200, so sign up
early! Members, guests, and nonmembers welcome - only $25 per person, dinner
included.
To sign up, call Gerry Fait (415) 769-1072
or Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
December 1314 (Wed-Thu)
Backpacking the Border, Part 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 with
long views eastward over the Salton Sea in the distance. Distance 16 mi. and
carry water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
December 1516 (Fri-Sat)
Backpacking the Border, Part 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 near by, 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 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
December 1718 (Sun-Mon)
Backpacking the Border, Part Three (M/S)
Jacumba Mountains Wilderness
This last border backpack traverses a small range immediately north of the
Mexican border. This is an exploratory trip beginning with the 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. Distance 14 to 19 mi.; carry water.
Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
December 2225 (Fri-Mon)
South Turtles Backpack (M)
Southeastern San Bernardino County
The south end of this wilderness features craggy peaks rising above broad,
gently sloping bajadas. Long canyons carved into hard precambrian gneiss lead
into and out of the range. Old mineworks exist in the canyons, and Horn Spring
(probably dry) is hidden on the east side. Horn Peak (3866 ) rises above it.
Long distances across the valley on short days once intimidated me; now I know
we'll just have to walk. Mileage is long, a 26 mi. loop in four days, but
gradients are easy. Carry all water, probably two gallons. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
December 2326 (Sat-Tue)
Mecca Hills Carcamp (M)
Southeast of Palm Springs near the Salton Sea, the badlands of the Mecca
Hills offer a maze of twisted canyons. From basecamp in Painted Canyon, we'll
explore Painted and Ladder Canyons, Sheephole Oasis and/or Hidden Spring, and
possibly a day in palm canyons near Palm Springs. Expect 6-12 mi./day, some
trail and lots of wash walking, but also some off-trail rock scrambling and
loose rubble. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Lucy DuPertuis (505) 275-3514
duperhiker@yahoo.com
December 29January 2 (Fri-Tue)
Anza Borrego Carcamp (M)
This huge state park offers a little of everything: a rocky canyon with a
perennial stream, a trail ascending several ecological zones, picturesque loops,
native palm groves, a slot canyon, ruins, badlands, mines, a hot spring pool,
and balmy nights. We'll camp near Borrego Springs and at Mountain Palm Canyon.
Expect some easy and some rough off-trail hiking; maximum of 12 mi. and 2000
elevation gain. If you can't make the whole five days, feel free to join the
trip late or leave early. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Lucy DuPertuis (505) 275-3514
duperhiker@yahoo.com
January 1214 (Fri-Sun)
Granite Mountains Carcamp Service Trip (M/S)
Mojave National Preserve
Our task will be surveying springs in the rugged Granite Mountains. From a
basecamp we'll set out on 6- to 10-mi. dayhikes to locate remote springs that
are vital to wildlife. The information we collect will help BLM assess the need
(if any) to install guzzlers. Expect great scenery, abundant wildlife, and
awesome starry nights. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
robtlyon@sbcglobal.net
January 2021 (Sat-Sun)
Wind Wolves Preserve Service Carcamp (E/M)
At the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, the Wind Wolves Preserve was
created by the Wildlands Conservancy for the purpose of restoring a part of
California to its natural state of a century-and-a-half ago. On Saturday we
will help staff and other volunteers to plant trees, remove invasive plants, or
improve visitor facilities, as needed. On Sunday we have been promised a hike
and tour of this astonishingly beautiful landscape and habitat. A mellow
weekend; families invited. Limit 15.
Contact leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
deutsche@earthlink.net
February 3 (Sat)
Groundhog Day Party (E)
Bay Area Location TBA
Let's 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 1618 (Fri-Sun)
Orocopia Mountains Backpack (S)
Southern Riverside County
This is one of the most varied and demanding sections of the Desert Trail.
We'll start at Sheep Hole Oasis then wind through slot canyons of barren
sandstone walls before making the 1000 climb to Orocopia Peak. After twisting
through narrow canyons and dropping over dryfalls, the terrain opens to the
wide expanse of Manirobra Valley, ending at Chiriaco Summit on I10. There are
frequent views of the Salton Sea to the east and the constant promise of
bighorn sheep. Distance 23 mi., with 4500 elevation gain. Carry all water.
Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
robtlyon@sbcglobal.net
February 1719 (Sat-Mon)
Slate Range Carcamp (M)
This range east of Ridgecrest was once a Wilderness Study Area but was
dropped from the California Desert Protection Act in 1994. Much of it is still
roadless, though it's been penetrated by off-road vehicles. We'll do three
dayhikes into the area to see what's left. Geology is largely metamorphic.
As for vegetation, we'll just have to see. There are some old mines to explore.
Canyons may be rocky. We'll go for high points when we can. Good night
campfires. A late moon predicts excellent stars. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
February 2325 (Fri-Sun)
Coxcomb Mountains Backpack (S)
The Coxcombs, located mostly in the northeastern corner of Joshua Tree
National Park, are crossed by the Desert Trail, but we'll do an out-and-back
trip. We'll backpack into the inner valley of the Coxcombs from the north,
then spend a day exploring without our backpacks, and return the way we came.
There are a number of possible side canyons we could explore, and we may climb
one of the easier peaks. This is a carry-all-water trip. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: John Wilkinson (408) 947-0858
johnfw1@mac.com
March 1618 (Fri-Sun)
Carrizo Plain Carcamp (M)
Eastern San Luis Obispo County
Two planned trips to Carrizo last year were canceled due to muddy roads and
an icy spring chill. This year we hope to find it dry enough to avoid thick
mud, wet enough for the sand hill crane migration to Soda Lake, and warm enough
for a great wildflower display. Side trips to Painted Rock and the San Andreas
Fault at Wallace Creek. Mike Yantos and Carolyn Dorsch will serve as botanical
guides. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 674-6885
robtlyon@sbcglobal.net