In several more miles, we once more entered the canyon. Here, it was steep and very narrow with vertical walls on the sides - no place to be in a cloud burst. We had no more than entered the canyon when our nostrils sensed smoke being carried on the cool draft that was slipping down the canyon, and apparently making every sharp bend. We expected to come onto the camp any minute, but it was 30 or 40 minutes of climbing away, at the head of the canyon where it broadened into an open slope. There was Bernice, Walter, and Fritz, ready to start for Keynote. They told us of the other four on New York butte, and we envied them their grand position for the sun rise. It was only 6:45 and we were still in the shade of the high ridge to be ascended. At l0:30 we were enjoying the cool shade of the fox tail pine on the suimmit of Keynote, which is truly the finest observation point in the Inyo Mtns. But the question everyone was asking, was, who built this wonderful trail. It passed within a few hundred yards of the summit of Keynote, and then continued along the ridge to the North. No doubt it was miners, but it would be interesting to know. To tell the final episode, the 175 switchbacks were comepleted in reverse in 3 hrs flat. I feel sure that henceforth Keynot will take its place with Dubois, Boundary, and Telescope as one of our finest desert peaks. Thanksgiving Trip, November 23 through 26. Death Valley and Mtns. On this extended week-end, the Section will visit fine mountainous areas which have felt the feet of few hikers. First the Ubehebe Peak and Race Track area - Ubehebe Peak is a short climb, but this granite pinnacle has many types of routes from easy ones to difficult rock climbs. Climbing time will be several hours. Ubehebe Peak is to be climbed on Friday, but Fritz Sloman, the leader, plans also to climb Tin Mtn. on Thursday. You can contact him about where and when to meet. Tin is about 10 miles north of Ubehebe. Saturday's climb of Avawatz will be the toughie. I am sure it is going to be a thrilling climb so don't miss it. There have been two tries at it already and both failed. Time and elements were blamed for their two failures. Surely the third time will be the charm. Hell-Broke-Loose Mt.(alias Volcano) got its name in print by Chester Versteeg in the Friday, November 3rd issue of the Herald Express. It tells of the attempt, by Chester and 4 others to have this change-over of name.
				Sincerely yours, B. D. Henderson, Chairman Desert Peaks Section
BDH:mh

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