The late Spring and early Summer activities of D.P.S. gained
momentum with the Owens Peak trip on the weekend of April 26th and 27th. Ably
led by Ken Rich and Polly Connable (this was Polly's third ascent of the peak),
the group left Mr. Standard's land off Grapevine Canyon on Sunday morning.
Contrary to earlier predictions of stormy weather, the overcast clouds
dispersed during the night to reveal a beautiful and challenging landscape for
the climb. Following a full flowing brook, the group wended its way through
many beautiful wild flowers the flowering bushes of purple lupin particularly
impressed the writer.
Contouring from one slope to another, towards
the headwaters and snow pockets which fed the stream, the Sierra Club members
and their friends slowly began to gain altitude. The slope became more steep
and the party began to spread out as individual members chose a pace suited to
their hiking enjoyment. However, 1:00 P.M. found many members of the group at
the summit. Besides Ken Rich and Polly Connable, among those officially signing
the register were: Frank Sanborn, Art Lembeck, Don Bush, Dick Kenyon, Bob
Schmelzer, John Delmonte, Walter Heninger, Bernice Heninger, Nona Canner,
Connie Jarabin, Franklin Meyer, Margaret Henderson, William Henderson, Bob
Engelhardt, Norman Ronning, Tony Sargent, and three youngsters - Korry Rich,
Judith Delmonte, and Jocelyn Delmonte.
Owens Peak, the highest point
in Kern County, provided a panorama of snow covered Sierras to the North, and
the infrequently visited lower Sierras to the South. All felt that the trip was
a healthy conditioner after a relatively quiescent period during the Spring.
The descent provided more than the usual amount of excitement -
Jocelyn Delmonte slipped and rolled with a large stone, incurring severe
contusions on her right forearm, which later X-Rays fortunately revealed was
not broken. At last report, Jocelyn is looking forward to her next climb up
Telescope Peak on May 17th and 18th. |