The Desert Peaks Section of the sierra Club Angeles Chapter welcomes you to participate in the 1963 MARTINEZ TRAVERSE, an invigorating knapsack excursion over old Indian trails covering a spectacular portion of the eastern flank of Southern California's Santa Rosa range, overlooking Salton Sea.
This exciting trek was last done by our section in 1957, and previously in 1954.
As we leave our bus at elevation 4400' and meet it 25 miles later at 75' below sea level, the route is generally downhill through unspoiled desert range terrain. If we're lucky we might see some Desert Bighorn sheep. High point of the weekend journey will be rock-bound Martinez Peak @ 6539', from which is seen a magnificent panorama of Coachella & Imperial Valleys. For those who want an extra peak to their credit, a short Saturday morning side trip will cover 5124' Sheep Mtn. Both picachos are on our "100 Peaks" list. Saturday nite we'11 bed down near Agua Alta spring, an unreliable water source, though an aboriginal campsite. Sunday morning the trail leads us through Agua Alta Canyon down to the long gravel bajada of Martinez Canyon where we'll finally work our way out to Highway 99 at Valerie Jean's, home of the famous date milk shakes. (I'll take two!)
We'll depart promptly at 7 PM on Friday
the 15th, and thanks to Cal Tech, we may use their
parking lot on California St. in Pasadena, See map.Camp will be made with bus on Friday nite at Nightingale on the Pines to Palms Highway 74.
It is possible that the little restaurant here might serve us breakfast on Sat. AM but let's not count on it. Remember the bus will leave as soon as we depart on the traverse, so there is no turning back. We may leave any desired gear on the bus however, since the same bus and driver will meet us on Sunday PM.
Sat. footwork=13 miles, 12 being saved for Sunday. We will plan to eat enroute home, probably in Banning.
What to bring:
Knapsack equipment; warm clothing; food for 3 Sat meals, 2 on Sun; WATER~ though water is expected to be encountered at least three times along the trail, play it safe and carry a minimum of 2 canteens (qts), preferably 3 (Light plastic bottles make fine containers); Rain gear in the form of a plastic 3 ft diam. tube, 9' long (Bradley's in Pasadena has 'em); sturdy shoes and anti-blister moleskin; and above all a good disposition!
Topo sheets applicable to this event are the Toro Pk and Coachella quadrangles, and can be obtained for 60¢ ea. (stamps OK) from Westwide Maps, 114 W. 3rd St. LA 13. One day service and they are a Sierra Club schedule advertiser.
Your reservation is a check for $5.00, payable to TRUDIE HUNT, and covers round trip bus transportation. Since this is a charter affair, the deadline date of March 5th has been set. No later refunds. Bus holds only 39 people so get your reservation now!
Hope you can make it. Should be a dinger!
Leaders: Tom & Trudie Hunt, 19770 E, Lorencita, Covina, California