Coachella Valley Hiking Club Blog

We encourage submission to this blog

This blog is for the amusement, amazement, and education of members of the Coachella Valley Hiking Club or anyone else who might be interested in hiking and the outdoors. Anyone can submit text and pictures of anything having to do with hiking, nature, activities of members, links to websites, and links to news having to do with hiking, nature, and activities of members. Contact Eric to find out how to do this.

Interesting article in the LA Times sent in by Ron Chang

Here is a link to an interesting article in the LA Times about an experienced hike niknamed Billy Goat. Thanks Ron!

Billy Goat Link

Three Peaks and Shangri-La

Three Peaks and Shangri-La

On Wednesday Elmar and Chuck led a group to Cornell Saddle. Then at about the same elevation as the saddle, the group followed a deer trail on the side of Cornell and Harvard peaks to Yale Peak. Several in the group scrambled up the steep rocks to the summit. From there they hiked down a draw to Shangri-La on the way back to the tram.

The first photo taken at Cornell Saddle shows a view of Leather Neck Ridge in the foreground and White Water Canyon in the background. The second photo shows Cornell Peak from the saddle (the wide angle camera lens makes it look less tall than it appeared to the eye.) The third photo is the landscape in the hidden valley named Shangri-La. The hikers shown leading the way are Elmar, Chuck and Jerry.

Ken

New Trail Map of Area!

There is a new trail map for the valley. This map was put together by Friends of the Desert Mountains with the help of other agencies and volunteers. It replaces the old BLM map that was useful but full of inaccuracies. It is for sale at the  Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitors Center. Here is a LINK to a "Desert Sun" article about it.

Applications available for trails committee members

According to the Desert Sun there are some seats available on the Trails Management Subcommittee for the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. It seems like one or two of our members should submit an application.

Here is the Link      The picture below is just a random picture of a trail.       

                                         

Aparently, hiking is even more dangerous than we thougt.

The CDC has identified snowboarding, sledding, and hiking as the most dangerous outdoor activities.

Here is the link.

Try googling "dead hiker."  When you go hiking, make sure you take along the ten essentials, tell someone where you are going, avoid hiking alone, and pay attention to your surroundings.

Richard's hike

Here is some more text and pictures from Ken Garret.

Here is a view from the lookout that includes the burned area in the  distance. Later, in Tamarack Valley, three mule deer, silent and graceful,  passed through the forest near the trail - only one is clearly  visible through the trees in the photo below. Many trees have fallen, and many more are standing over campsites waiting to fall.

Kerry's overnight to Caramba

Here is some text and pictures from Ken and Helen Garret. They went along on Kerry's Caramba overnight backpack.

Overnight at Caramba

Kerry led Koala and first-time-backpackers Ken and Helen to Caramba Overlook to spend the night on Saturday, May 31.  They set up camp at the overlook - Kerry and Koala at the edge of the cliff, Helen and Ken in a place protected by boulders and shrubs.  In the afternoon they climbed down the boulders to the waterfall on Tahquitz Creek.  Kerry went swimming in the ice cold water, and even spent some time sitting in the natural "jacuzzi."  Helen and Ken had much fun playing with their new friend, Koala.  After dinner - fajitas and wine - the four watched the lights come on in Palm Springs and the next morning woke early to watch the sunrise.  On their way out of the wilderness, they stopped for lunch by Candi's Creek at Skunk Cabbage Meadow.

 

  

    

Hike up the Momyer Trail

Last Sunday, a small group hiked up the Momyer Trail in Forest Falls. This trail goes up the side of the San Bernardino Mountains and ends up at Alger Creek, a compground. If you keep going there is another campground and eventually the trail goes up to the top of the ridge. If you had two or three days, this could be a route to San Gorgonio Peak. There is also a couple of old abandoned trails, one goes up to the ridge not too far from San Bernardino Peak and the other goes back down to Forest Falls ending in some private property.
They can be found on old topo maps of the area.
    Usually, in late May this is a hot and exposed trail at least at the begining, but due to the late season cold and damp weather there was still snow on the ground. We hiked up about two miles and turned back because no one was dressed for a thunder shower; COTTON KILLS. There are going to be a lot of flowers on this trail in a few weeks.

 

E-mail from Mingo

Just go an E-mail from Mingo. I have been wondering what he was up to. Here is a link to his website:

http://www.mingomorvin.com/

Hey everyone,
 
Just sending out a letter to say I have not dropped off the edge of the earth. We all Really know it is flat.
 
Since early feb I have been building a large custom home for a client. It is a really cool 2 story with about 2900 sq. ft. Fun project and it keeps me from having to much fun. I have one more project after that and then I hope to retire to the ocean. I am selling my 2800 sq ft home so I can buy a large sailboat and start a new life sailing. I want to go to Hawaii and then probably sail around the world. I want to hangout with Johny Depp and become a pirate in the Carib. Drink lots of rum and get some booty for sure. I know most of you think I live in a cave next to Bin Ladin's but I do have a cool looking house. Have to admit I am fond of the dirt floors though. So until mid august I will be builder. After that I will be Capt. Jack Minnow. My boat will be the "Cool Change". She will be sloop rigged most likely and if this boat is on the market when I am ready to buy she will be a 37 footer. She is a lovely boat and just returned from New Zealand and the south Pacific. Cool boat for sure.
 
Books and Einstein are still moving forward. My partner went to China and lined up stuffed toy bears and printing at some very incredible prices. We are now redoing the books into a 32 page format instead of the 24 pages. Lots more pictures and a little more text.  Also getting some investor money into the mix. This little economic downturn has affected the Einstein a little. Most though is internal restructuring and I am just to busy to devote all my time to my bear buddy. Another reason for moving offf shore, quality bear time. I late jusy I have to attend a 7 day seminar with a bunch of investors, directors and publishers. This will be fun and hopefully economically beneficial to the series. Wish me luck.
 
The other large thing looming in my future is a late season expedition to kayak 1600 miles on the Yukon River. Because of work commitments and other business commitments I have pushed this trip back as far as I can before I turn the Minnow into an ice breaker. This 45 day expedition will definitely be cooler, meaning snow, and a bit more sporty than a summer bid on the river. But even with the added risk I think that it will be a fun and entertaining trip. I am sure that I will get a few days of good weather that I can work on my tan. Yeah right. The bears will be more problematic at this time of the year. October was Treadwell feasting season. The difference is that I will be packing heat.  Besides me going I am taking Mr. Smith and Mr.Wesson in the form of a 9mm with a heavy load. Should keep me safe. My main weapon is my finely tuned brain, all 3 active cells of it. I always have fun playing with these guys. I am sure that conditions will get very sporty at times. My camera will be having fun too. Of course this is a solo trip again.
 
I will be making the final decision on this about 31 July. My expedition doc and I will have to talk plus I need to make sure my body is in tough enough condition to take this one. Lots of miles on the shoulders. Plus a few logistical and time and weather issues. Most of the trip is near the Arctic circle so my days are getting short. Fun issues to mitigate. But it does put me on the edge as I seem to like that position. I also need a 3 week training regimen to whip this body into shape. I would also believe that this will be my last long expedition. Age is creeping near to me. I will be 60 in a week or so. Even I have my limits even though I have not met them yet. Hope I do not on the Yukon.
 
So that is my summer and fall of fun. 
 
I hope all of you are doing well. Doug and Pete I will be talking with you guys in a couple of weeks as I get closer to making a decision. I value your wise council highly. Your help, knowledge and guidence on James Bay kept me alive. Not by much though.  
 
Take care and be safe out there.
 
Mingo
 

Aparently, some club members went to the Grand Canyon.

I received an E-mail from Peta Henderson. It looks like, at least the pictures indicate that some club members went to the Grand Canyon. You know, the one in Arizona. This is the first I heard about it but the pictures don't lie. I don't know when these were taken (this year, last year?) but it looks like they had fun. If anyone knows anything about this, could they send me some information or text to put in the blog. They are great pictures Peta!
 

 
 
 
 

 

Maybe we should put this hike on our schedule

Here is another link to a story from Cy Kaicener with some great pictures. Rick Kent climbed the north face of San Jacinto alone. People do this hike to prepare for Everest and Denali. I personally am amazed. I apologize to Cy that I took so long to post it.

http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/385699/soloing-snow-creek-mar-2-2008.html
http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewer.aspx?FolderID=689

Posted by: Cy Kaicener | May 03, 2008 at 02:13 AM

Apache Peak fire information link.

Here is an interesting link to the Inciweb site with information and maps of the Apache Peak fire. This one simple page has more information that all of the TV and newspapers put together. It looks like most of the trails we use in that area are closed including the Devils Slide Trail and the San Jacinto Wilderness. That nice grove of trees that graced the top and east side of Apache Peak seems to be gone. As soon as the fire is out, we have to organize a hike up there to see the damage.

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/maps/large/1236/0/

New Hike that we are going to put on the club schedule

The hike is called  El camino del Rey

Link to video of hike

Trip to Amboy Crater and Kelso Dunes

Last weekend we went on a club car camp to the Amboy Crater and the Kelso Dunes. We left at about 8:00 AM. and in the morning we climbed  the trail to the Amboy Crater. Apparently, it is one of the youngest craters in the US having gone off about 2000 years ago. It was well worth the trip.

Setting up camp at the Kelso Dunes, we waited until dark to do a moon light hike on the Dunes. We ended up climbing to the top of the Dunes. The moon light wasn't much help. By the time we got close to the top, some of us were crawling on our hands and knees. Several people were heard to remark that it was the hardest climb they had ever done, at least for a three mile hike.

We had a great dinner cook by Ron and in the morning we visited the Kelso Train Station. Afterward some people went off to see a mine. The pictures are by the famous photographer Astrid. The last picture is of Chuck who was on his first camp out. He had a good time.

                   

On March 22 club members, friends, and relatives of Hank Koenig got together on a ridge in the Mecca Hills. Several people had containers of his ashes and people spoke about what a great guy he was. A plaque
had been place the day before. It was a very moving occasion for everyone there. Hank is going to be missed.

       

Plight Of Missing Hikers Will Make Great Movie

Click on  LINK  for full details.

Hike for Hope

On March 2, 2008, the club took part in the 10th annual Hike for Hope. There were more hikers than ever even though the fee was raised. Here are some pictures. 

 
 

Hike to Faux Murry Peak led by Larry

More pictures from David.

Here are some pics of an ODC hike to Faux Murray Peak that was led by Larry Liguori. Pictures courtesy of Udi Katz as were the sugar-free cookies and the Robert Mondavi Cabernet. This was a fast-paced, mostly off-trail hike of about 10 miles that led us past a group of homeless hikers and somebody named Eric.

                                                                                                                  David M.

Pictures from Dave of the Red Rock Area

Here are some pictures from the noted hiker and upper desert resident Dave.

Myself and 7 others met up due west of Vegas on Saturday March 1 for a 13 miler. As it turned out, 4 plus hours of hiking just wasn't enough adventure for the $5.00 price of admission, so Dag and I decided to backtrack and experience these wonderfully beautiful rocks from a different perspective. Aptly named Red Rock Canyon, the pics speak for themselves as do the smiles on our faces.

                                                                                                          Dave M.

 

Sunday the 17th was our annual hike through the Wonderland of Rocks from Queen Mountain to Willow Hole. We left some cars at the Boy Scout Trail head and traveled over to the parking place at Queen Mountain. We navigated using GPS, compass, and map and were able to follow our course perfectly. The distance was about 10 miles and a good part of it involved rock scrambling. There were 13 of us and everyone had a good time. I hope to get some more pictures soon.

 

   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Here is a map of the Wonderland of Rocks and our course.