The best turnoff for Stewart is 15.7 ml from Shoshone along the west side of Hwy 178. The trick to finding the Mud Domes camp is a sharp left turn off Hwy 178, 0.7 mi from Shoshone under the archway of two trees. It leads to a wind protected canyon, perfect for DPS parties.

Randy's guide was great to follow with one clarification: The ridge up Stewart starts at the junction of the main streambed and a hanging rock waterfall l5ft. high coming in from the south. Ducks lead up the ridge over loose scree for the first 500'. We hit snow near the top in bright sunshine. It only took the group 2 1/2 hours to make Stewart. While drinking beer at the cars after the climb, a BLM Ranger stopped by just to talk. He was pleased to see a non-motorized SC group hiking the peaks. One of his responsibilities is to check on "water guzzlers" (drinking stations) for bighorn sheep located on the east side of Hwy 178. We drove to the Tecopa hot springs, showered and refreshed in the free facilities, then met at the Mud Domes for Happy Hour. Toby fixed his "baked bean special" while we played real old 1950's music and enjoyed Ron's campfire with no wind. Sunday we drove 10.8 ml from Shoshone, took the Pahrump trailhead turnoff for about 2 ml and followed the guide. However, there was snow on the north facing canyon slopes that fooled me into ascending out of the streambed too early. With Vic Henney scouting ahead, we traversed several chutes and skirted around rock outcroppings until back on route. It turned out to be a successful variation. All 10 of the party made the top and strolled down to the cars in sunshine for the ride home. The great weather and really fine people made this an exceptionally enjoyable trip.

CABEZA PRIETA EXPLORITORY March 3-6, 1990 Jones/Smith

I have discovered the best desert for solitude and beauty I have ever encountered! The Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge in Arizona goes to the top of my list. I won't say too much more as I want others to explore it and decide for themselves. Too many people would ruin it. Presently this 860,000 acre desert refuge receives only 1-1,500 visitors per year. I would suggest that the DPS schedule several exploratories and that a peak found (perhaps Cabeza Prieta or Tinaja Alta) to be considered for our peak list. The Refuge contains many desert animals including 75 rare Sonora Antelope and 250-300 Desert Big Horn. Steve, Dean and Pat Acheson and I met in Yuma for our west to east drive. The trip would be better done east to west from Ajo and Organ Pipe National Monument west to Interstate 8, Exit 29 in Wellton. We drove in a northerly entrance from Tacna and traversed along the Sierra Pinta and the Tule Desert. In 19 miles, rouqh but suitable for my VW and Dean's Subaru, we reached Tule

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