Current and Past Trip Information

Remember: You must be a member of Desert Survivors with a release on file to join in with one of these trips. Join Desert Survivors if you are not yet a member.

Click here for your Overnight Backpacking Checklist.

For reference, we have many listings for trips in the past.

If you are new to Desert Survivors or contemplating joining one of our interesting desert trips as a new member please click on the above "General Trip Information" button to acquaint yourself with additional information concerning the scheduled trips below.

Many of our popular trips, particularly car camps on 3 day holiday weekends, tend to fill early and quickly, so plan accordingly. We ask that if you do secure a reservation with a trip leader, please be sure to use it, but if you cannot keep the reservation then advise the trip leader immediately to allow someone on standby to take the open slot.

Other backpacking trips tend not to fill to maximum at all times and may have an open space or two. If you find yourself with an open weekend and want to join in, try phoning the trip leader, space may still be available.

Most of our trip leaders ask that you contact them directly by telephone. This enables the leaders to assess your skills and abilities and to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Your safety and enjoyment while on the trip is just one of their many concerns. They want you have fun and the trip to be a rewarding experience. This also enables the trip leaders to build a "balanced group" that will enhance everyone's enjoyment of the trip.

Upon securing a slot for the trip you will be mailed additional information concerning the meeting area, car pooling, last minute changes, etc.

It may help you to jot down your questions before phoning.

 

WINTER 2009 TRIPS

"Mono Lake lies in a lifeless, treeless, hideous desert, guarded by mountains ... whose summits are always clothed in clouds. This solemn, silent, sailless sea, this lonely tenant of the loneliest spot on earth is little graced with the picturesque."

Mark Twain, "Roughing It"

(E) EASY (M) MODERATE (S) STRENUOUS

  1. December 19 (Sat)
    DESERT SURVIVORS HOLIDAY PARTY (E)
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA

    Join your fellow Survivors for our festive wintertime holiday party. Blow away those short-day/long-night blues. We'll enjoy the traditional potluck dinner, a White Elephant gift exchange, and slides of past trips. We'll also conduct a fundraiser auction, so bring your old camping and backpacking gear. Mark your calendar now for this one. A detailed flyer with location, directions, and a map accompanies this mailing.
    For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  2. December 24-27 (Thu-Sun)
    JACUMBA MTNS WILDERNESS MONITOR BACKPACK (M)
    SOUTHEASTERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

    The Jacumba Wilderness is stressed by competing groups: smugglers, immigrants, off-roaders, BLM law enforcement, the Border Patrol, hikers. Yet the interior offers hidden wonders: exotic plants (cactus and palm trees), strange wildlife, Native-American sites, dynamic topography. We'll hike with a shuttle, downhill from 4000' to 400', carrying all water. We may encounter roving Border Patrol agents as we hike. Note: On this wildlife-viewing trip, you must stay behind the leader while hiking; if you cannot, please choose another trip. Minimum of six backpackers; limit 15.
    Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  3. December 29-January 3 (Tue-Sun)
    PALEN MCCOY WILDERNESS SIX-DAY BACKPACK (M)
    EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

    People once feared the desert's vastness. Regain that sense of distance on six days across the Palen-McCoy from I-10 to Rice Valley. Open desert, rocky canyons, barrancas, ironwoods, chalcedony rose, colorful ridges, a rock tank or two. Five days backpacking (40 mi.), one day rest. Midway, pick up two gallons water per person, placed beforehand by the leader. Expect the full moon and the desert’s silence to seep into your soul. Note: Participants must stay behind the leader while hiking; if you cannot, please choose another trip. Limit 15.
    Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  4. January 15-17 (Fri-Sun)
    PAHRUMP VALLEY WILDERNESS MONITORING (M)
    SERVICE TRIP, SOUTHEASTERN INYO COUNTY

    North of the Kingston Range, Pahrump, California, and Mesquite Valleys' rugged landscape of canyons, bajadas and winding washes are home to desert tortoise, golden eagles, and bighorn sheep. Several plant species dependent on limestone soils grow in the area, as well as unusual yucca species. With biologist Anne Wallace, we'll assess critical habitat, quality and quantity, of flora and fauna for Barstow BLM. Limit 12.
    Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 586-6855

  5. January 16-18 (Sat-Mon)
    BROADWELL LAKE CARCAMP (M)
    CENTRAL SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

    PG&E and BrightSource Electric highly touted their eight-square-mile solar power facility in Sleeping Beauty Valley near Broadwell Lake. They've now withdrawn this blight on the desert, ostensibly because a proposed National Monument may protect these public lands. We'll celebrate the plant's death with a three-day carcamp. First day, explore the site that had been condemned. Second day, hike east into the hills, a Wilderness Area. Third day, hike the Cady Mtns Wilderness Study Area to the west. Cool clear air, dynamic scenery, no industrial clutter. New moon promises good stars. Limit 15.
    Contact leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  6. January 23-24 (Sat-Sun)
    DESERT WILDERNESS MONITORING TRAINING (E)
    MOJAVE DESERT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

    A special trip in the desert near Ridgecrest for Wilderness monitoring volunteers. We'll train volunteers who pledge to monitor Wilderness Areas to report off-road trespass, cattle damage, problems with springs and wildlife habitat, and other useful information for the BLM. No experience necessary, but you must commit to do the job in the coming year. Monitoring with map, compass, GPS, camera, and notebook. Call early to get on our volunteer list. One half-day training at camp, the rest if the time in the field in a Wilderness Area. We'll write a report afterward at home. Limit 12.
    Contact leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  7. January 30 (Sat)
    DESERT SURVIVORS GROUNDHOG DAY PARTY (E)
    OAKLAND, CA

    Our Groundhog Day party is a good way to 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 will give details about the location.
    For more information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  8. February 13-15 (Sat-Mon)
    IVANPAH VALLEY/STATELINE WILDERNESS CARCAMP (M)
    NORTHEASTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

    A five-square-mile solar facility is planned for Ivanpah Valley. Construction is slated for March. We'll visit the site to say goodbye to the old-growth barrel cactus and pencil cholla (five feet tall!), and the tortoise and ground squirrels who inhabit this beautiful place. We hope the plant will be stalled or that the perpetrators will run out of cash, but if it doesn't and they don’t, we'll bear witness and photograph what the solar junkies want to destroy. We'll do other hikes in the Stateline Wilderness to the north to soothe our souls. Limit 15.
    Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  9. February 20-22 (Sat-Mon)
    TURTLE MOUNTAINS CARCAMP (M)
    SOUTHEASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

    Despite proximity to a major highway, the Turtle Mountains remain fairly pristine with little trash or vehicle intrusion. Saturday we'll hike from a rock cabin to palm-lined Mopah Spring. Sunday bring your sketch book, camera, and art supplies for a hike to Coffin Spring and old mining relics; we'll have a gallery of impressions. Monday we'll make a short hike to cave-bound Mohawk Spring. Limit 15.
    Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 586-6855

  10. February 26-28 (Fri-Sun)
    KINGSTON RANGE WILDERNESS BACKPACK (S)
    NORTHEASTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

    Spend three days backpacking in the Kingston Range Wilderness, east of Death Valley, including a hike to Kingston Peak. This trip will include Wilderness monitoring. Expect big nolina, relic white fir trees, stunning views, and maybe even bighorn. Carry all water. Limit 12.
    Contact Leader: Paul Menkes (510) 710-3283

  11. February 26-28 (Fri-Sun)
    TURTLE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS BACKPACK (S)
    SOUTHEASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

    Starting near Mohawk Spring, we'll climb over a steep pass to Gary Wash following the original Survivor trek in 1989. We'll pass over rugged unnamed peaks and return by Coffin Spring. Carry all water. Expect outstanding views and likely bighorn sightings in a seldom-visited Wilderness Area. Limit 8.
    Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 586-6855

  12. March 5-7 (Fri-Sun)
    LITTLE CHUCKWALLA WILDERNESS CARCAMP (M)
    NORTHERN IMPERIAL COUNTY

    Dayhike three days in this Wilderness and the nearby Mule Mountains south of I-10. Hike washes and bajadas, climb a rocky peak in the center. The Wilderness is known for bighorn and tortoise. We'll also watch for old Indian trails leading to the Colorado River. Camp by the cars under bright stars, enjoy campfires both evenings. Wildflowers may be blooming if there's rain. Note: On this wildlife-viewing trip, you must stay behind the leader while hiking; if you cannot, please choose another trip. Limit 15.
    Contact leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  13. March 12-14 (Fri-Sun)
    ANZA BORREGO ARTISTS’ CARCAMP (E/M)
    SOUTHERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

    Join with the ever-ebullient artist Sonny Sorenson for exercises in pastel, oil, acrylic, watercolor, and tequila. From base camp in Borrego Palms Canyon, we'll hike to a waterfall and the ridge beyond. Another day we'll go to the magical Slot in Hawk Canyon. Cut that inner artist loose and join us for a fun-filled weekend. Limit 15.
    Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 586-6855

  14. March 12-14 (Fri-Sun)
    RESTING SPRING WILDERNESS BACKPACK (M)
    EASTERN INYO COUNTY

    Three days backpacking through this Wilderness east of Death Valley. Mojavean vegetation, colorful limestones and shales, dynamic ridges, good open wash hiking. No water, requires a three-day carry. Lizards may be active, wildflowers may be blooming. Part of the DS "Neglected Wilderness" program. This WA will get an intensive monitoring treatment like the ones last year. New moon, a big sky of stars. Note: On this wildlife-viewing trip, you must stay behind the leader while hiking; if you cannot, please choose another trip. Limit 15.
    Contact leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

  15. March 27-29 (Sat-Mon)
    WILDFLOWERS AND SERVICE CARCAMP (E)
    NORTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

    To increase our chance of seeing spring wildflowers, BLM will scout the Golden Valley and Grass Valley Wilderness for the best bloom and we'll go to the best location. Saturday we will help BLM with ORV deterrents. Sunday and Monday we will enjoy the desert bloom in this undiscovered area. Joint trip with the California Native Plant Society. Co-leader Carolyn Dorsch; BLM leader Marty Dickes. Limit 12.
    Contact Leader: Michael Yantos (650) 743-2807
    yantosarchitect@att.net

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    ADVANCE NOTICE
    Advance reservations are required for the following trip. Final sign-up deadline will be December. For more information and to make reservations, contact Trip Co-leader Steve Perry, (925) 443-8894.

  16. June 6-12 (Sat-Sat)
    DINOSAUR CARCAMP AND GREEN RIVER RAFT TRIP (M)
    UTAH/COLORADO

    We'll spend three days hiking and sightseeing in Dinosaur National Monument before embarking on four days of rafting down the Green River following John Wesley Powell's adventure through the Gates of Lodore. Optional guided hikes each day. ARTA provides equipment, guides, food, and transportation for about $650. $100 deposit required. Trip leader Bob Lyon. Limit 25.
    Contact co-leader: Steve Perry (925) 443-8894

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Annual membership ($20) required for trips. A $20 donation may also be requested by the leader at the trailhead.

    Each participant must sign a general liability waiver before departing on the trip.
    Trips are cooperative in nature.

    Some trips may be exploratory (not previewed by trip leader). Conditions may be difficult and the unexpected may occur. Consult with leader for details before deciding to go on a trip.

    Trip sign-up procedure:

    1.You must call or write leader in advance to reserve space and receive a map and detailed trip description. Leader will confirm your sign-up.

    2. As noted in trip write-ups above, some leaders have set limits to the number of participants.

    3. Sign-ups are first come, first served. A waiting list will be maintained to fill any spaces that arise due to drop-outs. Please notify the leader ahead of time if you are dropping out.

    4. As noted in write-ups, some leaders have set beginning and end dates for signing up.

    5. Desert Survivors' trips begin at the designated trailhead. While trip participants are expected to cooperate with the trip leader, each participant is responsible for his or her own safety. In particular, trip participants are responsible for safely transporting themselves to and from trip locales.

    6. Desert Survivors encourages trip participants to carpool as a means to increase driver safety while reducing costs, energy consumption and environmental impacts. Trip participants
    are responsible for making their own carpool arrangements. Desert Survivors recommends that trip participants make equitable arrangements to share costs, and that all arrangements and financial compensation should be clearly negotiated in advance.

    Additional questions? Call: Steve Tabor, President (510) 769-1706
    Dave Halligan, Activities Director: (510) 528-3360
    Desert Survivors website: http://www.desert-survivors.org,
    mailto: bighorn@desert-survivors.org

 

Desert Wildflowers: Where and When?
An often asked question of Desert Survivors is "what trip should I choose to see desert wildflowers". This can sometimes be a difficult question to answer. Phone the trip leader and ask that question if you are interested in that aspect of your trip. Click on the above link for additional information about desert wildflowers.