Forecast of Saturday. I doubt if anyone intending to climb Little Devil and Devil Peaks in southern Nevada could have reached Jean, Nevada.
I arrived in Victorville where I was to meet Bill Schuler, and with 4-5 inches on the ground there already, with the radio reporting Cajon Pass closing, I decided the impossibility of back road driving was imminent, even if Jean were reached, and made other plans, which I presume all takers has already done.
Instead Biill, Ellen Siegal, and I tried for climbs near paved highways. Everthing was covered with snow Sat AM and exquisite to behold. We drove over to Boron and tried to drive toward Saddleback Mtn, but snow squelched that idea. Instead we turned back down 395 and did what we though was the highpoint of the Kramer Hills, only to find another higher SE hill, which we did with ease. The snow was beginning to retreat so we drove down the road toward Red Buttes, lying SSW of the Kramer Hills. We climbed the highest 3426' and then proceeded to, and did Gray Mtn, 3100', just north of the town of El Mirage. North of Gray Mtn is Nash Hill, which we found to be a rocky mountain, beautifully frosted with snow on the big rocks. Our last climb of the day was a little 400' hill just west of Gray Mtn.
All of these climbs were, of course, in San Bernardino County, and thus furthered my ambition of ascending every highpoint of the separate and distinct ranges of massifs in the county.
On Sunday we went and did Bell Mtn northeast of Victorville, up the eastern slope. A fine panoramic view is the reward for this summit, and with all the frosted land about it was like a fairyland. Next spotted was Fairview Mtn to the east. This proved to be our finest mountain of the weekend, reminiscent of peaks in Joshua Tree NM. This one is made up of large rounded and sculptured roacks, making for indescribable beauty. The summit mass loomed as a Himilayan giant! Great care was taken going over these slick rocks. This peak should be added to our DPS list!!
Black Mtn, to the NNE came next, about 5 miles distant. A locked gate hampered things 2-1/2 miles from the top, but we made good time on foot. About half a mile from the summit we saw a large feline bounding up towards the upper ridge line, evidently a cougar, though very dark in color, almost black. Later we wondered if it might be an escaped panther, as cougars are tawny in color. We are still wondering!
Our last day's duty was Catholic Hill, NW of Apple Valley township. Again snow was present.
If one could have reached the environs of the Devils, and enchanting climb would have resulted. At some future date I'll reschedule them and hope for a better break with the weather.

Non-Sked Events
Wheeler Peak (13,063') Nov 18 -Steve Smith
Leaving Sacramento Fri evening, I began the 600 mile drive to Nevada's second highest peak, using Highway 50.
Wheeler now presents no difficult obstacles, since now there is a graded road from Lehman Caves Nat'l Monument, 10 miles long, ending at a campground. Here a main trail leads one on a two mile loop, passing several small lakes. Also the three mile summit trail goes directly up a beautiful ridge to Wheeler, the highest point in the Snake Range.
Death Valley Backpack Nov 4-5 -Ben & Miriam Romero
(stolen from Vall-o-Vents for DPS interest)
Nineteen adventuresome hikers met at Wildrose Station in the Panamint Mtns of the Death Valley area on Sat AM for an exploratory hike along the old Skidoo pipeline, which is located on the western slopes of Telescope Peak.
We explored the line from Birch Springs to Wildrose Canyon, all seven miles of it. A car shuttle was set up and the intrepid group left Mahogany
 
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