These two interesting desert peaks were climbed by an SPS
group of nine persons after their scheduled trip was snowed out. Providence,
one of the better peaks on the DPS List, was ascended Saturday via the standard
route from Mitchell Caverns Park Headquarters. (Incidentally, the Rangers now
charge one dollar a night per carto stay in the camp, and 50¢ per day just
to use the parking lot.)Sunday we drove to the abandoned Bonanza King Mine via a passable though sometimes rocky road. The summit of Mitchell cannot be seen from the mine. Our route headed southwest, gradually ascending towards and gaining the ridge. Mostly it is class 2, with some easy 3rd in a few spots. Near the top the ridge drops off sheerly in spots, providing spectacular views. The west side of the summit drops sheerly for over 600 feet, as does the ridge over towards Providence Peak. The total climb was around 3000 feet.
MANCHESTER MTN. (3598'), May 6 Harry Melts
Mt. Manchester is the highpoint in the Dead Mts., located northwest of Needles. The hike started 6.7 miles north of Arrowhead Junction from the paved road (US 95). There are several desert tracks in the area, remains of an era when the military used the region. The peak is clearly visible from the starting point. The hiking distance is 10 miles, mostly on a gradually rising desert floor, and later up a canyon and ridge to the summit, class 1. A long stretch of the Colorado River is viewed from the top. Highlight of the trip was the number of colored lizard, sunbathing so sleepily that close-up photos were easily obtained. Total elevation gain was 1800 feet.
BLACK MTN. (9083'), May 11 John Robinson
Black Mountain does not involve a very lengthy ascent, but the panoramic view from the top makes the climb worthwhile. The peak lies at the extreme west end of a 9000-foot ridge near the southern terminus of the White Mountain Range. Lying well to the west of the main White massif. Black Mountain offers superb views down the Owens Valley trench as far as the Cosos. Directly across the valley to the west the rugged Palisades rampart provides a spectacular horizon.
The driving approach is via the mining road, steep and rocky in spots but passable, shown on the above map. The climbing route is short, but involves much up-and-down scrambling. From the mine at roads-end, ascend the false summit directly west, drop about 300 feet to a saddle, follow southwest