a rough trail that no one but a true outdoor lover would care to travel. one questions the wisdom of building good roads into unsupervised areas of natural beauty. A good access road is, theoretically, a fine thing for the public who likes to see and enjoy these places, but the sad truth is that it also brings in the litterbug legions, with their inevitable deluge of rubbish. This rubbish never finds its way out again but stays there, growing in volume and scattered by the winds. We note that the villainous beer can has now been joined by a new partner in crime -- the soft drink throw-away container, You ain't seen nothin' yet! It's easy to find the little stand of native palms high in a deep cleft of the canyon wall. No ducks or signs necessary -- just follow the beer cans. I took a hike up the canyon one afternoon to have another look at this uniquely situated little group of some 40 or 50 native desert palms -- one of the rare stands of the Washingtonia palm in Arizona. The sight that met my eyes was one of complete desolation. A fire had left nothing but black, charred trunks. So intense was the heat from the accumulation of dry fronds in the rocks, that huge boulders had been fractured. What once was a lovely little clump of palms in a unique natural setting is today a sorry looking sight. Perhaps they will survive the ordeal. Evidently some moron who had no business being there had touched off the conflagration. Just build a good road into a wilderness area and Mother Nature takes a bad beating -- also nature lovers. Perhaps we ought to change the name Kofa Mountains, and, like the old-time prospectors, simply call 'em the S. H. Mountains. CORN SPRINGS - PILOT PEAK The first week end of the new year (January 1-2) brought out 32 people on the scheduled trip to Corn Springs in the Chuckwalla Mountains. We found the little palm oasis of Corn Springs had been ravaged by fire. Virtually nothing remained except the black charred trunks of the palms, countless rusty tin cans and the scorched earth. It was too unpleasant to camp under the tall palms owing to the dust and ashes, so we moved up to higher ground in the open. It looks like another fine desert camping spot has been permanently ruined. Under the leadership of Bob Bear and Bob Schmelzer, 13 hiked to the top of Pilot Peak on Sunday, returning in a drenching rain which swept down from San Gorgonio Pass. NEW ADDRESSES John and Janet Delmonte will be in their new home at 1637 Don Carlos Ave., Glendale 8, after February 1. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Zagorites, 1600 "D" W. Commonwealth, Alhambra (ATlantic 2-73l9). Parker Severson, 5913 West Blvd., LA 43 (AXminister 4-l625). DPS NOTES I am sure we all sympathize with Mr. and Mrs. Chester Versteeg in their recent misfortune. A gas explosion wrecked their beautiful home in San Marino on December 29. Mrs. Versteeg was home at the time but fortunately was not injured. We hope it won't be too long before they are reestablished in their home. Till we meet around the next desert campfire,
				Sincerely,            Parker Severson, Chairman

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