Rudy Fleck takes a picture of Kettle in the Mopah Range on Saturday morning. Photograph by Dan Richter.

Hiking route for Kettle.

The Turtle Mountain Wilderness Area is located in eastern San Bernardino County just west of US Route 95 and about 12 miles north of Vidal Junction California.

The flat top of Kettle (3,460') is surrounded by sheer cliffs.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

The cone of Umpah (3,553') (center) in the morning sun.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

Approaching Kettle - Rudy Fleck followed by Brian Smith.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

Summit of Kettle with Umpah and Mopah in the background - Brian Smith (l) and Dan Richter (r). There was a large cairn on top, two bench marks and no register.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

The flat top of Kettle is a mile long. The views in all directions were spectacular. The plateau was covered by green spring grasses and flowers.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

There were fresh grasses, billions of flowers, and blooming cacti everywhere.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

The North face of Umpah.  The route went up the left side to the prominent notch on the East Ridge.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

Maria Yocum on the summit of Umpah with Kettle in the background.

Photograph by Dan Richter.

Umpah summit.  Brian Smith, Rudy Fleck, Asher Waxman. Maria Yocum and Dan Richter (left to right).

It was a wonderful spring weekend scrambling in the Mojave.

Photograph by Dan Richter.