Here is information on two Desert Peaks Exploratory trips since the beginning of the year:

January 1. Explorers Willard Dean; Elsie, Eric, and Roland Kent; Margaret and Bill Henderson, climbed the highest point (latitude 33° 45.57', longitude 115° 52.82') of the Cottonwood Mountains, and the second highest point (latitude 33° 43.28', longitude 115° 54,31') of the same range. Neither peak was named, and each was shown on the map to be within the same 50' contour interval. Though they were separated by 3 or 4 miles, each was climbed, and their heights compared with a sighting level. (There are a few other ranges such as the Chocolate mountains in which a sighting level will be needed to determine which of two peaks some distance apart is the higher.) The higher peak was nothing outstanding, whereas the second high peak has an exceptional view of the Salton Sea, and Santa Rosa Mtns. A large wash on its north slope should be a fine desert flower garden in spring. The Hendersons were so impressed that they hope to return there around desert flower time, and since the truck driven up a large dry wash cuts off many miles of walking, others interested might contact them.
February 5. Twenty one explorers (Here I have no explorers names to offer, since, as is general practice, no record is kept of those enjoying that particular climb. So I now have obtained a little note book, which will be passed along to future chairmen, in which will go the names of all those participating in each trip. These names are to be received from the leader of each trip) climbed Black Butte, 4490' Elevation, highest peak in the Chuckawalla Mountains. The view from the summit was exceptional, though the trip to and from it was not. Twelve others climbed Pilot Peak, second highest peak in the same range. The view from the summit was also very fine, and the climb to it would no doubt make a more interesting trip. The hike began at 4 A.M. and a high ridge was reached for one of those never-to-be-forgotten sun rises.

So much for the past. Let's look to the future. And it really looks good. I would advise you to start packing your knapsacks right now.

March 11, 12. Martinez Peak, Santa Rosa Mtns. Many people who were on the trip to Martinez two years ago have asked to have it rescheduled, since they enjoyed it so much. Also there will probably be some new DPS members as a result of this climb, getting their sixth for membership, or their seventh peak for the pin. It is a country of heavy desert foliage, which is just about now beginning to bloom. The beautiful pinyon forest, and rough and jagged rock formation adds much to the scenic value. Also the view of the Salton Sea Basin is one of the finest, being only surpassed maybe by that from Rabbit Peak, which is a little nearer the Salton Sea. For further details, read your schedule.
March 25, 26. Rabbit Peak, Santa Rosa Mtns. The San Diego Chapter will make this trip with Jerry Zagorites as leader. Jerry is anxious to have all those from L.A. who wish to accompany him. Rabbit may well be about the toughest climb in So. Calif., though the view is well worth it. Those interested should write Jerry for particulars, since those in the schedule are not correct from his climb. His address is 3421 - 5th Ave., San Diego 3, Calif.
April 1, 2 Highest Peak of the Providence Mtns. Willard Dean was very impressed with these rugged and beautiful mountains. He is planning a very interesting trip into a country that should abound in desert flowers at this time of year. This will be an entirely new climb for the section, so it should be fun to come along and see it. For further particulars read your schedule.

I hope this letter has been of some interest to you. It's sole purpose is to keep the membership informed about the section activities. Of particular interest will be a brief account of all exploratory trips whether scheduled or not. Thus, if you make an interesting exploratory trip, be sure to send me a few interesting details of it, to put in the next, newsletter. I am not interested in publishing articles in this letter; they should go to legitimate publications. Only a few lines will be written here about each trip. The information I would like would be who were members of trip, and whether there were any outstanding things about the mountain. Also several members of the party should fill out the mountaineering forms about the trip, and sent to Bob Bear.
  Sincerely yours,
Bill Henderson, Chairman, Desert Peaks Section
 
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