East Ord Mountain. Camp Rock Road is wide and mostly well-graded with terrible dust the only problem. From Calico, it took us forty minutes to reach Power Line Road where we were supposed to meet David Hammond to climb together. We were on time but did not make contact. Learned later this was due to a mix-up. We continued to roadhead along a mine road that is heavily rutted in places (saw road to the west, our left, leading to another mine). Parked near what appears like a small rough concrete slab of irregular dimension. Twisted sheets of corrugated metal lay on the ground nearby, an eyesore. Although East Ord Mountain is considered an easier peak than Granite, only Chris, Steve, and I climbed it; our time was two hours and thirty minutes (also the rated time in DPS Guide). Meanwhile, Laura nursed her sore knee and Kathleen kept her company. There appear to be a number of good routes; we returned by way of a ridge that led straight down to our cars. It was interesting to see gourds (of the genus Cucurbita), an uncommon sight, growing in such an arid area; yet it must get some rain, as we passed cattle warning signs on Camp Rock Road. The planned hike to and soak in Deep Creek, warm and hot spring, south of Hesperia, had to be cancelled because we got down too late and the spring is off-limits after dark. *2 On our way home, we regrouped for dinner at Griswolds in Claremont.
The trip was marred by Paul's mishap. When I telephoned him on Monday, he told of having tripped and fallen forward against sharp volcanic rock, suffering injuries to both hands including three badly dislocated fingers and numerous lacerations to face and body that required suturing. Seeking medical attention, had taken Ruth and Paul from Baker to Barstow, then to Kaiser Permanente in Fontana. Sobering how even a simple Cl 2 climb can be so potentially dangerous. They contacted the Ranger and Sheriff, believing that if their answering machine message was not received by me, I would contact the Departments.
David Hammond telephoned me on Monday to reconstruct how we failed to meet. He had arrived at the intersection of Camp Rock and Power Line Roads forty-five minutes early, waited for us, then drove north, up Camp Rock Road waiting again at another place before solo climbing East Ord all the way from there. He saw us on the summit from a bump to the north and did a loop, approximating DPS Guide directions down. Took him seven hours round trip for the climb. Sorry Dave was unable to join us; glad he got the peak. Not the average trip if there is such a thing; but still good company, peaks, and weather.... . ED
| *1 Calico
Ghost Town Regional Park Box 638 Yermo, CA 92398 Tel 1619 254-2122 |
*2 Deep Creek
Information: Arrowhead Ranger Station P.O. Box 7 Rimforest, CA 90278 Tel 1714 337-2444 |
