On Sunday, we climbed Granite #2. We drove to Palen Pass Road where we were joined by Bill Faulkner. Using Dale's and Bill's 4wdrs we went east on the road; it had some sandy spots that might have stopped passenger cars. We went to the junction at 769539 shown on the 7-1/2' topo, Palen Pass but not on the old 15' topo. From here we went north on the faint track and parked at its end at 770559. On the 15' map this track goes from the turn at the east edge of Sec 16 to about the NE corner of Sec 19. It is probably a better route than the one shown in the peak guide. We climbed Granite via the ridge that borders the main gulch on the west and goes over Pt 996. We descended the main gulley. Both routes are fine; we enjoyed the contrast. Our round trip time was 7-1/4hours including 1/2 hour for lunch. It was a good outing with fine weather and splendid people.

In response to Dale's study of area closures due to passage of HR-780/S-11, attached are the approach and hiking directions for Stepladder Mtn from the Northeast. This route will apparently be open should S-11 become law, whereas the standard approach in the DPS Peaks Guide will be closed. On 15 February 1986, En Lee Lin and I did the peak from this direction in a 2WD Toyota passenger car. APPROACH: From Vidal Junction drive north on Hwy .95 for 27.8 miles, passing the signed, paved Havasu Lake Road and coz:itinuing another 8.1 miles to a good dirt road heading west (left). This is a maintenance road for the pipeline running parallel to it across the desert. Turn onto this pipeline road and follow it west for 7.8 miles to a junction with a MWD (Metropolitan Water District) powerline and access road. Continue another 0.55 miles past this junction on the pipeline road to a faint, poor dirt road heading south (left) down the Chemehuevi Valley. Follow this road for 6.0 miles and park. HIKE: From car, head west at a bearing of 245° to wash located south of point 2538 on 15 minute map (point 773 on metric map in DPS Peaks Guide). Hike up wash to where it turns northwest (UTM 962296). Leave wash here and head west over small hills to a saddle located 1/4 mile north of the peak. From saddle, head up chute to base of cliffs and a prominent cleft that goes up to notch between the two summit masses. Ascend the cleft until you can exit left on an easy ledge leading out onto the northeast face of the mountain. A series of zig-zag ledges will bring you to the abovementioned notch. From here climb up and left on easy rock to the summit. Gain: 1250 ft. Round Trip: 9 miles, 5 hours.

Dave Jurasevich

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