We left for Last Chance at 8:00am the next morning in bright sunshine. Unfortunately, I had read the DPS guide too literally and took the group up the left ride as described. However, when we had lost almost as much elevation as we had gained, we dropped a short distance into the canyon to the north and followed the sandy wash to a steep rasp just south of point 7141' which Rob Langsdorf spotted and suggested as a good route to the top of the ridge. We regrouped at the little saddle immediately west of 7141 and found a very helpful use trail which we followed to the summit, arriving at 11:15.
The views from the summit of Last Chance were spectacular with the snowy Inyos and Sierra Nevada to the west, with Eureka Valley stretching north from immediately below us on one side of the range and with Death Valley on the other.
We spent about 50 minutes on the top admiring the sweeping vistas and then followed the use trail down to the 7141 saddle. Rather than slide down the steep loose slope by which we had ascended, we continued on the use trail to the left of 7141, a far worse choice by comparison. The trail faded almost immediately so Ed Lubin, now the point man, led us down the steep, rocky and loose mountainside to the canyon below (to the north of 7141). He skillfully led the group down the canyon, over two easily Class-3 dry waterfalls, past the water tank at Last Chance Springs and we were back at the cabin and our cars at 3:00pm.
After cleaning up the cabin (which was in immaculate condition when we arrived-& left) and leaving our extra wood supplies for the next occupants, we caravanned back down the rough road to Crankshaft Junction. It was still relatively early so Ed, Tom Sakowych & I started for the Saline Valley in our two vehicles but changed our minds (luckily, as it turned out) & went for a soak at Keough Hot Springs in Owens Valley (between Bishop & Big Pine) instead. Here we found Nancy Ornelas, Steve Durkee, & John Thomassen had already staked out their claim.
On our way to dinner at Lone Pine, Tom's Jeep ground to a halt just north of Big Pine which necessitated some shifting of loads, phone calls, and the summoning of a tow truck. We learned later that the transmission had to be replaced.
After a filling dinner at the Sportsman Cats in Lone Pine we parted company for the long trek beck to Los Angeles. Among those others who helped to make the trip a success were Martha Flores, Minor White, and George Pfeiffer, a good group to hike with. ...Paul
