A CLIIMBERS' GUIDE TO RABBIT PEAK

This 6623-foot hogback peak dominates the southern half of the Santa Rosa Range. Towering over Borrego State Park on the west and the Salton Sea on the east. Rabbit Peak is a lengthy and strenuous climb from any Direction. Following are descriptions of routes so far ascended. Additional information concerning these or any other routes would be appreciated.

SOUTHEAST RIDGE (Salton Sea Route): Class 2. 10 miles.
Driving: Turn off US 99 15 miles south of Indio at 74th Avenue junction. Drive south on Fillmore Avenue to 78th Avenue, then continue south .2 mile to second dirt road Leading right (just beyond row of palm trees on left). Take dirt road through garbage dump, over rise, to sandy parking area beyond.
Hiking: Take old but distinct trail 3 miles across gradual upward-sloping desert floor to foot of Rabb1t southeast ridge. Cairn on left marks beginning of steep trail that ascends SE ridge to about 2000'. Near end of trail is a junction with a trail that descends to spring. Stay on ridge trail to end shortly beyond, then proceed up along ridge crest to wide, undulating plateau. Good campsite at far (west) end of plateau just below steep ridge leading up to Rabbit hogback. Proceed up steep SE ridge, around right (east) side of rocky gendarme to slopping summit hogback. Cross hogback to summit at far (north) end. Alternate via spring: Proceed up main desert trail beyond above-mentioned cairn to entrance to first canyon on left (1/2 mile). Follow wash one mile to spring above dry waterfall. To get above waterfall, scramble well around the right side. From spring take old, faint trail out of canyon on left up to SE ridge just below plateau.

NORTHEAST RIDGE (Mecca Route): Class 1. 10 miles, (Boy Scout Route)
Driving: Turn off US 99 at 74th 4ve., proceed west to end of road.
Hiking: Cross desert floor 3 miles to wide (at bottom) northeast ridge of Rabbit. Follow ridge with many ups and downs, up to tolerable campsite at 4100'. The ridge proceeds west to 4700', then becomes steep and turns southwest directly toward peak. The summit is shortly beyond top of ridge. An alternate and slightly longer approach is to take trail of SE Ridge Route to near main canyon, then ascend to NE ridge at 2600' saddle directly north of canyon.
Southwestern Approach to Rabbit Peak
SOUTHWEST FLANK (Clark well Route) Class 2. 9 miles.
Driving: Drive east 55 miles from Borrego Springs, then north 3 miles on paved road. Turn east .6 mile on dirt road, then north 4.6 miles, across Clark Dry Lake, to Clark Well. Warning: In event of heavy rain, Clark Dry Lake may be impassable for several days.
Hiking: Proceed east across boulders to south ridge of Rabbit. Ascend steeply to ridge, then north to top. This is shortest but rockiest route.

SOUTH RIDGE (Truckhaven Route): Class 1. 10 miles.
Driving: From end of paved road mentioned above, proceed east on Truckhaven road about 6 miles to within a mile of the prominent ridge running south from Rabbit.
 
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