Hiking: Climb to South ridge and follow crest all the
way to summit. Longer than Clark Well Route, but terrain easier going.
NORTH RIDGE: Climbed in 1938 but no information available. Approach
would appear to be longer than any of the above routes. |
"WILD RABBIT" |
Rabbit Peak seems to inspire the grandest and most touching
literary artistry at times. The reason why this dry, barren, unspectacular
hogback should cause the composing of these masterpieces is a complete mystery;
but somehow it does. Parker's Lament (see page 8) is only the latest of a long
series of poetic creations that have sentimentally adorned the summit register.
The epic poem "Wild Rabbit", printed below, was written by Chester Versteeg and
placed on the summit by Bill Henderson's 1948 group. |
You sneak up on him, mite by
mite, Foot by foot, bit by bit. Four jaws are grim; there's no
smile; Then a final lunge and you've captured it - ! |
THE RABBIT |
For seasoning use sage
or wild pea, And, if you want to pep it up a bit, Dip the meat yonder in
the Salton Sea. Yum Yum, boys and girls, this is it - ! |
THE WILD
RABBIT |
Telescope, White Mtn.,
Boundary or New York Butte, You bet, we like 'em all a bit. But today no
steak tough as a climber's boot; Today, tender and sweet - this is it
- |
WILD RABBIT
! |
|
The 1950 group, led by Jerry Zagorites added the following
verse after climbing through clouds and cold rain to the
top:
|
And for flavor add snow and fog,
Even worse than Los Angeles smog. When it is so cold the fire
freezes, And snow and sleet come on icy breezes - |
FROZEN WILD RABBIT !
|
|
An anonymous stanza was added later:
|
Tell me, why are you all so bitter
? We found it nothing but a flitter. Up washes, rocks and scratchy
brush; Now surely that must make you blush ! |
THE WILD (?) RABBIT
! |
|
THE D.P.S.
NEWSLETTER Published bi-monthy by the
Desert Peaks Section, Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club. Subscriptions: Send one
dollar to Hugh Parshall, Sec.-Treas. of DPS, 627 Valencia Mesa Drive,
Fullerton, California. Editor: John W. Robinson, 418 E. 20th St., Costa
Mesa, California. |
|