Over the
week-end of April 15-16 and in the face of a forecast for a wet Sat-Sun, nine
desert votaries defied the inauspicious augery of the elements and met at the
Cal-Nev state line for the climb of Devil Peak. The skies Sat. morning sparkled
with jewelled radiance with nary a cloud in sight. The group was comprised of
the following; Gene Gail, Wes Shelberg, Jack Grams, Ceasar Gonzales, Randy and
Linda Shields, Dick Agnos and his girl friend Kate and myself as leader. From
the roadhead SE of the peak (good desert road), at about 3,600', we leisurely
headed for the pass to the S of the peak. A profusion of varied desert flowers
and some cacti were encountered and to the consternation of a few who trekked
thru innocuous shrubs eking out an existence in the middle of the roadway,
poison oak was positively identified. Gene Gail was certain of his diagnosis
and it was a surprise to all-- except Gene--that poison oak actually grows in a
desert clime. Devil Peak itself was straightforward up the S slopes to the
summit where lunch was enjoyed. Azure skies with a few flocculi of clouds
smiled benignly upon us. Descent was toward the NE to a canyon which provided
an interestingly sculptured granite bedrock floor, carved in spots in twists
and funnels up to 10' in height. After reaching the desert floor, the party
contoured to the cars. Dinner was as similated at the restaurant at stateline
which was reached in rapidly deteriorating weather. During dinner, light rain
squalls fled by the restaurant windows but after dinner we caravanned to a spot
about 2 miles NW of Jean in clear twilight along the paved highway. Overhead
mainly clear, star studded skies presented, but the stars soon became blotted
out by a continuous overcast that around 10 o'clock precipitated a fairly good
rain. Needless to say, all slept in various contortions within the assembled
vehicles.
By morning the weather had completely cleared and after a quickie
breakfast at Jean, we caravanned to a point about 1/2 mile N of the Sultan
mine, N of Little Devil Peak. This peak was more imposing than its higher
brother and gave us some moderately challenging 3rd class pitches on rough
limestone before the summit was attained. The two girls elected to rest at the
cars.
These two peaks at the southern end of the Spring Mountains make for a
pleasant week-end of climbing. Of the two, Little Devil proved to be enough of
an ascent, with sufficient vertical gain to possibly consider it for addition
to the DPS list. At least this was the consensus of those who made the ascent.
Little Devil should be climbed by other DPS members who may render affirmation
or negation for such inclusion. |
