This years annual Banquet will he held on May 6 at the Luminaries Restaurant. We will have an excellent dinner of Teriyaki Brochette for $l2.00 per person. We are most fortunate this year to have as Banquet Speaker Remi Nadeau. Remi Nadeau has written about California history, Los Angeles history and Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of California. This years program will be Ghost Towns of California. Don't miss this exciting and outstanding program. We will also be treated to viewing Desert Peak Paintings by Betty McCosker. Try to identify your favorite desert Peak through Betty's art.
There still seems to be interest in Mexico regardless of the of Sierra Club insurance policies and increased gas prices. A letter from Bill Hauser invites us all to explore more of Mexico including the high point of Sonora. What and where is the high point of Sonora?
Over New Year's I went to Mexico and Cerro Pinacate for the third time. In the May-June 19th, Vol #122, Desert Sage, there is a sketch map of the dirt road to Pinacate by John Backus. This map is quite accurate, except the Mexican Ranch is no longer in existence. the remains of the ranch are quite obvious. There are two additional side roads after one leaves the main dirt road, when in doubt stay left. The wash is now negotiable with high clearance vehicles. The first quarter mile of dirt road off the main dirt road (Parke Nacional) is the dustiest road I have ever driven. At least 6-8 inches of dust billows over the car and windshield, so don't stop, keep driving even if you can't see. My truck now needs a total steam cleaning. The turnoff of Mexico 2 is near the 50 Kilometer Marker and the Ejido Nayarit. There are Parque Nacional signs at the beginning of a good graded dirt road, which goes to Elegante Crater. The Cerro Pinacate register was placed by the Tucson Hiking Club in l964. The last time I read the register, Edward Abbey had made an entry. This entry has been ripped out and ripped off. It seems autograph hounds even invade such places as the top of Cerro Pinacate.
Mexico is fun, good food, good beer, good people and great weather. The Desert Peaks Mexican Peaks will just have to he led on private trips.
