| EAST ORD-SPECTRE, JAN. 31-FEB. 1, 1987 | Jerry Keating/Norm Rohn |
Pioneer Park in Lucerne Valley, complete with flush toilets and other amenities, was the gathering place Saturday for 26 desert lovers, most of whom drove out that morning. We approached East Ord via well-graded Camp Rock Road, then a firm 1.4-mile spur that ends at 3900' about 0.75 mile east of the Grand View Mine.
One person waited at the cars, and everyone else climbed East Ord (6120+') via its broad ridges. Among those on top for lunch was former SPS Chairman Chuck Miller, making his first appearance on a DPS scheduled trip in many years. Other seasoned climbers along for East Ord only included Barbara Reber and Ted Pinson.
Those desiring Spectre drove via California 62 to an unmarked turnoff about 40 miles east of Twentynine Palms, then 3.7 miles to camp (2580') just outside the Joshua Tree National Monument boundary. The turnoff is 0.85 mile east of highway marker SB72, and the side road is sandy for only the first several hundred yards.
Sunday's hikers numbered 29, including eight who joined us for Spectre only and another Sierra Clubber who was camped adjacent to us with a Cactus and Succulent Society group. Of the 29, 20 made Spectre (4400+') by 11:30 a.m. in balmy weather, then descended to the bowl for lunch. (New register needed.) Besides the leaders, the summit party consisted of Dick and James Agnos, Art Benkain, Bobby Dubeau, Darl Dumont, Richard Dushett, Charlotte Ekback, Dick Farrar, Harry Forry, Bill Gray, Pat Jump, Nancy Keating, Julie King, Return Moore, John Rhodehamel, Fran Silver, Carolyn West and Robert Wyka.
The others explored the approach to Spectre before returning to the cars, and everyone was back by 3 p.m.
Thanks to Norm Rohn for subbing as a leader on this pleasant weekend which attracted a total of 35 participants.
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| We met at the intersection of the
Death Valley road, and the road going to Last Chance roadhead. This is also
known as the Crankshaft Junction because of the crankshaft located there. We
had 22 participants, two of who elected not to hike the first day. Since Sandy is the longest distance away, we did it first. The starting point is a little difficult to find, because you can not see the peak. You drive up the road which crosses the Last Chance Range to a large flat saddle area located on the midwest part of section 36 of the Last Chance topo. The best way to do it is to head directly for bump 5870, and circumambulate it to the east. Then follow a long ridge with minor ups and downs to the summit. While this is not a spectacular hike, everyone found it very enjoyable. The view of the sand dune, is great. Two of the participants did not have enough steam to make it to the top, so they stayed along the route and waited for our return. Saturday night we drove to Last Chance Spring and enjoyed a fine party in the tin shack. Gisela Kluvin entertained us by showing her pictures of her trip to India. Sunday morning nineteen of us climbed Last Chance. You can take either of the two ridges from the spring and go to the summit. This peak qualifies as one of the more scenic ones. The climb is colorful and also geologically quite interesting. View of the Sierras is also superb. |
| Participants: Anna Valkass Marti Washburn Donn Cook Steven Crooks Peter Severynen Vivian Goltsos |
Karen Leonard Gisela Kluvin Paul Freiman Ross Ritari Terri Walsh Maris Valkass |
Teri Sutor Anne Scott Gail Hanna Bill Stevens Helvia Miller |
Tom Jeter Chris Jeter Bob Wyka Harry Forry Barbara Raab |
My thanks to Tom Jeter who assisted me on this trip, and all the people who contributed to the good time that we all had. I would also like to mention that we had a large contingent of DPS'ers from San Diego. It just goes to show that no peak is too far!