Four hikers in another group were encountered. Two of them had to turn back after getting lost up Knight Canyon. The other two were overtaken by our DPS group while attempting the summit.
After regrouping at the cars, everyone high-tailed it to the cafe and gas station at Panamint Springs for dinner and beers. Then on to the erst-while town of Darwin, passed by the twentieth century, where we camped by the old cemetery. Much of Darwin's history is recounted on the stone and wooden epitaphs.
At 7:30 sun morn, 8 of the original 11 sojourned abut ten miles west to Lower Centennial Flat at a point about a mile northeast of Crystal Spring. Four hoofing miles later along with 3,000 uphill feet gain everyone saw Coso Pk from its apex. The return to the cars and our several destinations was without incident.
All agreed that the weekend was most Successful. Weather was in our favor, being clear and mild. The group was singularly strong, close, and friendly. Snow-capped Telescope and the Sierra were in their late winter glory as the desert floor below bloomed in stark beauty and contrast. The challenge of a desert peak had again been answered!
Amargosa River Canyon- Mar 25-26 -Bob Greenawalt
Before the weekend had wasted away, about 65 combined DPS-Camper types had seen most of the well-pastured and watered Amargosa River Canyon-either its upper or lower portions. We began Sat AM's hike as scheduled with the car shuttle taking almost 2-1/2 hrs, due to tight logistics problems. The northerly hike from Sperry Station led us thru unusual rock formations and amid several Cattle hordes, products of China Ranch nearby. Our lunch stop happened to land