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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
November 22
Black Mountain - 2198'
We couldn't leave Vegas until late morning, so I picked 3 small objectives to do on the way south. Using Dean Gaudet's advice, this peak is class 2. We avoided the standard scramble with loose rubble.
Spirit Salt and Pepper Mojave Lake Copper
Peak 3288
A nondescript hill, yet pleasant. West ridge, class 2.
Peak 2201
Furthest south peak in the Dead Mountains. Trains galore! There's a passageway under the tracks. West gully and then upper west ridge. Mining prospects on the ridge. Steep and loose at the end, but good views.
ore Dead Mountains
11-23
Peak 3441
The first time I did the main summit of the Palen Range in 2017 with Greg. We decided we liked the range and have talked about going back for the obscure south peak. I spent hours studying satellite maps, plotting an old road on the west side of the range. This is not Subaru country. Jeeps or trucks only. But as usually happens, Bob Burd beat me to the chase and established a very workable route with a better approach road. Greg agreed to bring his sand rail, in case the sand was too much for his truck. As it turned out, we didn't need it afterall, but it's got some very bad spots.
3441
We hiked up and over Peak 3441 on the way to the main objective. Southwest ridge.
3441 good quality South Palen Middle Palen, far away Granite South Palen South Palen coming down from 3441
South Palen - 3619'
To get to the main peak we hiked down 500 feet into a saddle and back up 650 feet. For the final object we dropped off the east face, just like Bob.
summit Palen Middle Palen west dropping 2000 feet South Palen
Middle Palen - 3231'
Greg was ready for a break and willing to wait for Frances and I. I chose the ridge east of where Bob ascended because it was more gentle. We traversed around several high points and then ended on the southwest ridge. It was a very long walk back to the car, with the last hour in the dark, crossing small washes and canyons.
traverse to summit ridge Middle Palen southwest ridge Frances and the two peaks we came over behind her Palen main peak
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
11-24
Peak 4118
The peak southwest of Pilot. Bob Burd route. Thanks Bob! We replaced the register jar, which was rusted and leaking on the lid.
going to Pilot
Pilot Mountain - 4216'
Two bighorn rams spotted on ascent and a herd of 10 deer on descent.
Black Peak 4369
Afterward we explored the petroglyphs of Corn Springs.
11-25
Queen Mountain - 5680'
Several people have recommended this peak to me over the years. Trail to near the summit, but hard to follow in a couple spots. Two summits of nearly equal height. Don't trust the map. Do both. Frances and I agree that Queen is a very average summit in the desert, 5/10 stars.
Queen east summit slabs west summit from east. San Gorgonio San Jacinto
Outlaw Benchmark - 3291'
Frances was ready for a break and willing to wait for me while I got one more. Outlaw is in a remote part of Joshua Tree National Park. No roads and no trails. I walked several miles up a sandy wash. At first I couldn't tell which peak was the highest, but as I got closer, things on the map made more sense. I found a tortoise shell, full-size. The thing probably died of old age.
Outlaw
As I was ascending the north ridge, I noticed wind increasing and a wall of dust coming up behind me. No time for a break. I ascended as quickly as possible, hoping to get to the summit before it hit. I managed that. This dust storm was not anticipated, but fortunately I had an emergency dust mask to wear for the descent. To date, it's the worst dust storm I've been trapped in. I was leaning sideways into the wind for part of this descent.
Outlaw here it comes Coxcombs, Spectre group Pinto Range
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Abert Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 588 | TRs | Pics Location: Sequim |
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Abert
Member
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Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:15 pm
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I lost my gps coming down from Queen on the 20th. It was snowing lightly and I wasn't in the mood (or really dressed) to go back up and look for it. I'm so dependent on it now I'm amazed I made it through almost a week without one.
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