SIERRA CLUB DESERT PEAKS NEWSLETTER #52 - 2 MARCH 16, 1952

Dear Desert Peaker: With the exception of the Monument Mt. trip on February 16th and 17th, scheduled Desert Peaks trips have been relatively quiet lately. D.P.S. trips during the next few months, however, will more than make up for the 'quiet' season:

Castle Dome-El Picacho - March 22nd and 23rd (San Diego Chapter) Owens Peak - April 26th and 27th Telescope Peak and Wildrose Peak - May 17th and 18th San Francisco Peak - May 30, 31, and June 1st

MONUMENT MOUNTAIN. Led by Willard Dean on February 16th and 17th, the Desert Peaks trip to Monument Mt. proved to be an interesting and highly enjoyable trip. A clear week-end enabled the party to enjoy the cool, but beautiful desert atmosphere. On Saturday, the group assembled in the vicinity of Cottonwood Springs. by nightfall some 30 people had collected, including the younger Bears, Deans, and Delmontes. Spirited singing by Marie and Eleanor Smith enlivened the evening campfire. Early next morning the cars caravaned across a rough desert road towards the Hexie Mtns., and a favorable ridge that Willard had scouted for the trip. About 24 made the ascent in about 2 hours over a trailless, but easy route. Snow-capped San Jacinto and San Gorgonio provided a lovely background. Among the old-timers were Bill and Betty Crookston, and Walter and Bernice Heninger, though many new faces made their initial appearance on a D.P.S. trip. ANNOUNCEMENTS. Barbara Lilley notified your chairman that El Picacho-Castle Dome trip, originally scheduled for January has been re-scheduled for March 22nd and 23rd. Both these peaks qualify for D.P.S. membership. Georgie White still has a few openings for the river trip planned for May 16th to June 18th. For further particulars contact Georgie at 737 W. 101st St., L. A. 44.

ANONYMOUS. AS IT SEEMED IN THE BIG MARIAS   Little drops of water mixed with mud and sand Make the going gooey in this desert land. Little drops of water falling in the hills Trickle down the steep sides forming little rills; Make the climbing nasty, make the stone slabs slick For the desert peaker who tries his way to pick. Little drops of water in the form of mist Hide the mountain summit in a clammy fist. Little drops of water rolling down the neck Drench the shirt or blouse, saturate the pack. Little drops of water running down the nose Show observant climbers whence the weather blows. Running down the forehead they make a pattern weird, Make the desert peaker mumble in his beard. Little drops of water falling anywhere Make the desert peaker wish he wasn't there.

Sincerely, John Delmonte, Chairman Desert Peaks Section

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