There was snow even at this low elevation. This 10 mile long range is very rugged, some of the peaks appearing to be Class 4 in difficulty. The high point was Class 2 in the upper 200 feet. We left a register in the cairn. Round trip was about 5 miles. This range - with its high point - deserves Desert Peak Status due to the ruggedness, color, beautiful desert washes and soft sand on some of the slopes, not to mention the extensive views. Our last climb was Twenty Nine Palms Mountain, elevation 4,562 ft. A large cairn was found here and an old register, so we left a new one after placing the previous record in it. Class 1. A delicious dinner at The Apple Valley Inn, rewarded our moderate efforts of the weekend.
JANUARY 4-5, 1969			SPECTRE PEAK, THE COXCOMBS AND SHEEPHOLE	BOB HERLIHY
On Saturday, January 4, a group of fattened, softened Christmas New Year's Holiday survivors met at Yucca Valley for the caravan to climb Spectre Peak. Bernie Petitjean was selected to be assistant leader, and 37 hikers headed eastward up the fan toward a prominent pass. We contoured down, into a sandy wash and followed it eastward to the top of the pass. We then contoured slightly down and around to the southeast, leading to the "V" shaped canyon that cuts its way up, southward to a bowl, marked by a very large dark brown boulder standing in the center, from which the noteworthy high points of the northern, end of the Coxcomb Range, may be climbed. Thirty-six people made the Class 2 climb to Spectre Peak by going around the boulder, then following the left fork of the streambed which winds around and up, leading SSW toward the peak. We followed the easy left ridge to the summit where we ate lunch, enjoyed a beautiful view of the surrounding desert and could appreciate why the Coxcomb Range so richly deserves its name. Although Spectre is the recognized high point, another point called 'Diatic' lies to the northeast and appears to be of comparable elevation. Six climbers under the leadership of Wally Henry and How Bailey made the Class 3 to 4 climb of that high point and rejoined the group later at the cars. Six other climbers made the easy ascent of Agua Peak (also known as Tensor) which is a 15 or 20 minute scramble to the north of the brown boulder in the bowl. All participants returned to the cars before dark. A large and cheery campfire was built. while appetites were being satisfied.

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