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APR 10, SAT, LTC LEADERSHIP
TRAINING SEMINAR: YOU can become a qualified Sierra Club Leader! All applicants must be SC members and have participated in at least 5 SC hikes or trips. Held at Griffith Park Ranger Station. To enroll in the seminar send a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to Alice Bannister Danta, LTC Registrar, 4448 Sunnycrest Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90065-4827. Completed application forms must be returned to the Registrar NOT LATER THAN March 27, 1993. |
OCTOBER 17 & 18, 1992
LEADERS: ED LUBIN & GEORGE DENNY
As we were about to leave our Keeler meeting place at 8:00 AM, on Saturday, a row of closely spaced shiny dark 4WD vehicles passed by us on Hwy 136. It appeared to be an official motorcade, but was in reality members of the Desert Peaks Section bound for the townsite of Cerro Gordo, to climb Pleasant for the Bob Hicks (lx) Duane McRuer (2X) Doug Mantle (3X) list completion celebration.
Our group headed the opposite direction, led by George Denny who replaced Paul Bloland, the scheduled co-leader for our trip into the Inyo Range to bag both New York Butte (10668') and Pleasant Mtn (9690') over the weekend, and do some sightseeing. Unfortunately, Paul had to miss the trip due to an ailing back.
George was already our guide to be, because he had driven the rough, Swansea, Cerro Gordo roads before. Through his knowledge and skill we were able to use the 'DPS Road and Peak Guide' Drive/Route B/Western Approach (Guide No 1.10) for N.Y. Butte; then exit by way of Cerro Gordo, using Drive/Route B/Southern Approach, without great difficulty. Owen Maloy was even able to drive his small Suburu coupe, much to the amazement of the drivers we met while underway (all hunters) who were unaware the car had 4WD. It only had to be pushed once.
Our experience could be misleading because in some locations the two roads are poor and potentially dangerous. There are very steep up and down grades, and lo-lo gear was used often. Driving certainly was not easy. Only mechanically sound 4WD vehicles with high clearance and tires with good traction are suitable. For safety, there should be accompanying vehicles; best with CB radios.
The drive routes are accurately described in the "Guide", but road conditions could change. Consider contacting fellow DPS member, Steve Smith, before venturing on a trip: W (619) 375 7125. He is a BLM Ranger based in Ridgecrest.
George Denny and Jim Whitted led in a Ford Bronco II; with Steve Durkee, I followed in my Jeep Cherokee; then came Owen in his Suburu; John Thomassen, Raye Rowley in a Jeep CJ; George Pfeiffer and Judy Ware in a Toyota 4 Runner.
We drove to the trailhead for N.Y. Butte in about 3.5 hours, having taken time for sightseeing enroute. Hiking at a moderate pace, we were all atop the narrow, fin like summit block within one hour (more difficult than "Guide" Class 1). The views are spectacular; particularly of the Sierra Nevada. By looking along the top of the eastern escarpment, the earth's curvature can be seen.