Emblem status is awarded to DPS members who have been members for one year and have climbed 15 of the 95 peaks on our Desert Peaks list, including five of the seven emblem peaks.

First List Completion status is awarded to DPS members who have been members for one year and have climbed the peaks on the current Desert Peaks list.

Second List Completion status is awarded to DPS members who have been members for one year and have climbed the peaks on the current Desert Peaks list two times.

Third and subsequent List Completions status is awarded to DPS members who have been members for one year and have climbed the peaks on the current Desert Peaks list three times.

Desert Explorer Emblem is awarded to DPS members who have climbed 40 peaks on our Desert Peaks list by more than one route. To qualify as a different route, the second route should be different from the first route for a significant portion (at least 50%) of the route.

Leader Emblem is awarded to a regular member of the Section who is a qualified Angeles Chapter leader and has led or co-led 50 peaks on the Desert Peaks list.

Awards are given for service, mountaineering accomplishments and lifetime achievements.