water fountain and spigot, probably for those descending to that point by mule train. I continually heard voices from a mule train ahead of me and could often see the mules moving high above on the switchbacks. They had frequent. stops but, I never caught up with them. The trail winds along a narrow ledge and the views looking back at it are spectacular. By this time I needed a sweater and the weather was threatening. However, there were only a few scattered drops of rain and I didn't need to haul out the poncho. I soon reached the trailhead at 8241 ft. at 4 pm. The distance from Phantom Ranch was 13.8 miles and the overall distance from the South Kaibab trailhead was 20.9 miles. The net gain was 5841 ft but with a few ups and downs along the way the total gain must. be at- least 6000 ft. This hike was indeed a memorable one from the standpoints of spectacular scenery and physical challenge. Fortunately, the weather cooperated to make it a most rewarding experience.

OLD WOMAN, GRANITE #1, March 21-22, 1987 Jerry Keating/Walt Whisman

Ten Desert Peakers celebrated spring's arrival in shirt-sleeve attire Saturday on Old Woman Mtn. (5,326') only to dig out part of their winter gear Sunday to climb Granite Mtn. #1 (6,786') in fresh snow and stiff winds. This scheduled trip started on an unceremonious note Saturday at Amboy with the discovery that the cafe/gas station, no longer is open on weekends. Surviving this culinary disappointment and finding top-off fuel at nearby Chambiss, the group proceeded to the Florence Mine ruins to start the Old Woman climb. Nine persons were on the summit in a little more than two hours after gaining the east ridge about 400 yards from the peak. Coleader Walt Whisman suffered a facial ding during the ascent when a falling rock broke a metal part of his eyeglasses and drove it across his skin. After an uneventful return to the cars, the group next motored, via Essex (another source of gasoline) and I-40, to a junction 1.8 miles N of Granite Pass on Kelbaker Road. Cloudiness had begun to build as the group drove about 3.6 miles to a 4300' campsite in the upper reaches of Cottonwood Wash. Plans for a congenial campfire were abandoned as light rain, occasional hail and ultimately snow fell, sending two participants home early. Sunday's dawn revealed powder snow from the cars to the summit and a few wind-whipped clouds. Six parka-clad diehards did the peak, however, in quick order and returned to the roadhead before noon. The snow enhanced the beauty of this attractive part of the East Mojave National Scenic Area and more than made up for the poor weather during the night. Participants were Bill Banks, Alice Cahill, Darl Dumont, Charlotte Ekback, Nancy Keating, Jon and Betsy Lutz, Bob Tomlinson, and the leaders. Submitted by Jerry Keating--3/25/87

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