thick brush (including mostly thorn covered wild gooseberry bushes) and just before nighttime, we reached the first of 3 difficult waterfalls. In total, there are about 20 waterfalls, of which we were able to downclimb 12 without protection, 5 required belaying, and 3 we repelled. Repelling everyone down, we made camp at about 4,200'. The next day the brush was more intermittent and greatly reduced along some stretches which was great. The water flowed on the surface most of the way and the numerous waterfalls, eroded canyon wails, and several fern and water filled grottoes were impressive. As we got nearer the bottom we began to see more evidence of occasional use - including a set of 4 golf clubs someone had left near a small bench shelter. A 70' vertical waterfall with overhang near the end of the canyon at about 2,400' was the toughest. Someone had left about 120' of nylon rope hanging off 2 pitons on 80' vertical side wall. Two Ridgecrest climbers had told me of their experience in going down this canyon in June. Along with the brush problems, they did not have a repel rope long enough for the overhanging waterfall and so had used the older hanging rope since they had no choice. Fortunately, it got them down - slowly. We doubled our 150' of 11mm rope and it reached the bottom with about 5' extra. We anchored for our rappel off a huge boulder at the top of the falls and also had a second rope so everyone was also on a belay. After that we climbed around and down 3 more falls and then reached the roadhead at 1,500' at the mouth of Beveridge Canyon. The Inyos offer some tremendous hiking and climbing opportunities. Having year round water flows in several of the eastern side canyons makes backpack trips easier plus the water adds to the flora diversity and scenery. Anyone having route information about the Inyos or thoughts on management needs, please let me know. In a future issue I will provide information on the other historic hiking trails that we have inventoried and which people might be interested in using.

Avawatz, Smith, Brown

Private Trip - Owen Maloy, Don and Ursula Slager, October 7-9, 1990 We took off from Bishop at 6AM and drove via the Sandy-Last Chance road to Stovepipe Wells, where a ranger informed us that the government was shut down and that she could not sell us a topo for Canyon Point. Canyon Point Road Washed Out - We tried to get to the trailhead anyway, but the road was washed out where it enters Cottonwood Canyon. An effect of the mid-September rains, no doubt. High-clearance 4WD drives might make it, but being without a map or clear climbing instructions we aborted, and drove to Avawatz.

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