January 30th - 31st, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, MR: Turtle Mountain. (4298) and Mopah Point (3,530’) Escape to the Eastern Mojave Desert for early season climbs along with a great DPS car camp and BBQ chicken pot luck dinner. Saturday - hike Turtle, 13 miles, 2700’ gain. Sunday climb class 3, Mopah, 8 miles and 2000’ gain to summit. Participants must be comfortable with class 3 rock climbing; leaders will carry rope and provide belay if needed. Completed Medical Form required. Send SASE with climbing experience and Sierra Club Membership Number or e-mail to Leader: Barbee Tidball ,. Co-Leader: Larry Tidball.

December 11th - 12th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Edgar Peak (7162') and Mitchell Point (7042') Join us for two peaks in the Providence Mountains area. Saturday we'll climb Edgar Peak (5 miles, 2900') and return to the vehicles for a car camp and Happy Hour that night. Sunday we'll drive to a second trailhead and climb the nearby Mitchell Point (4.5 miles, 3200').  High clearance vehicles required. Send e-mail with conditioning and experience to Leader: Paul Garry or Co-Leader: Matthew Hengst.

December 18th - 19th, Saturday – Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I:  Black Butte (4505’) and Chuckwalla Mountain (3446’): Join us for a relaxed paced hike up two peaks in the Chuckwalla Mountains.  Saturday we’ll hike Black Butte from the north (12 miles, 3800’) and that night  we’ll have a car camp complete with campfire and potluck.  Sunday we’ll hike Chuckwalla (3 miles, 1600’).  High clearance vehicles required. Send e-mail with conditioning and experience to Leader: Matthew Hengst or Co-Leader: Adrienne Benedict.

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January 15th - 16th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section MR: Mopah Point (3,530’), Umpah Point  (3,553’) and Turtle Mountain (4298’): Join us for three peaks in the Turtle Mountain Wilderness area. Saturday climb Mopah and Umpah  9 miles round trip, 3800’ gain, with happy hour after.  Sunday climb Turtle Mtn. 13 miles, 2700’ gain. Must be comfortable with 3rd class rock, have helmet, climbing harness, and submit medical form.  Restricted to Sierra Club members only. Send e-mail or sase with Sierra Club number, climbing resume with experience on 3rd class rock, conditioning, and contact information to Leader: Matt Hengst, Co-leader: Jack Kieffer.

January 29th - 30th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I:  Whipple Mountains (4130’) and Chemehuevi Peak(3694’):  Join us for a winter climb of these two low elevation peaks near the Colorado River. We will climb Whipple by route B, 2700’ gain, 9 miles. Chemehuevi is 2000’ of gain and 7.5 miles. Driving distance between the peaks is short; there is 1 mile of poor dirt road, but 2WD can probably make it or we can carpool the last mile. DPS happy hour and potluck Saturday night. Leader: Dave Perkins, send email/SASE to Ann Perkins, Assistant Leader.

February 5th - 6th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Black Butte (4504’) and Chuckwalla Mountain (3446): Join us for two class 2 hikes near the historic Bradshaw Trail. Saturday: Black Butte, 1600’ gain, 3 miles if we have enough 4WDs or 1830’ gain, 6.6 miles from the 2WD parking spot. Sunday: Chuckwalla, 1600’ gain, 3 miles. Be prepared for catclaw. Send contact and rideshare information to Leader: Tina Bowman, Co-leader: Tom Bowman.

February 26th - 27th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, M: Pyramid Peak (6703’), Eagle Mountain #2 (3806’): We’ll climb these two Death Valley Peaks over the weekend and carcamp/potluck on Saturday night. Saturday climb class 2 Pyramid 10.5 miles, 3500’ gain. Pyramid is located within Death Valley National Park. Sunday climb class 3 Eagle 3 miles, 1800’ gain. Comfort climbing class 3 rock required. Send email or sase with recent experience, conditioning and carpool information to Leader: Gary Schenk , Co-Leader: Tina Bowman.

February 26th - 27th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I:  Rosa Point (5000'+) and Indianhead (3860'+):  Join us in Anza Borrego State Park. Rosa Point is a strenuous climb up a desert canyon and ridges with an overall gain of 4800’ and 12 miles round trip.  Car camp with BBQ chicken potluck Saturday night. Sunday will be a more leisurely day with 3200’ gain and 4 miles round trip to climb Indianhead. Send sase or email with experience, conditioning, H&W phones and rideshare information to Leader: Barbee Tidball,  Co-Leader: Larry Tidball.

March 19th - 20th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section,  I:  Dry Mountain (8674’) and Nelson Range (7696’):  Saturday climb Dry from the west (route B), 5200’ gain, 10 miles round trip.  High clearance, 4wheel drive required.  Saturday night enjoy a soak in the mineral waters of Warm Springs.  Sunday climb Nelson, 1200’ gain, 2 miles round trip. Send email or SASE with recent climbing experience to Ann. Leader: Dave Perkins, Assistant Leaders: Virgil Popescu and Ann Perkins.

March 26th - 27th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Sandy Point (7062') and List Finish on Last Chance Mountain (8456'): Assuming the Sandy Point ascent on Saturday is a success (2000' gain, 11 miles); Last Chance Mtn (3000' gain, 5 miles) on Sunday will be Daryn Dodge's DPS list finish. Join us for one or both peaks. We will have a short celebration on the summit of Last Chance Mountain, and perhaps back at the trailhead, so climbers can drive home at a reasonable hour on Sunday. Send e-mail or SASE with conditioning and experience to Leader: Daryn Dodge , Co-leaders: John Cheslick, Kathy Rich, and Gary Schenk.

March 26th - 27th, Saturday - Sunday, WTC and Desert Peaks Section, MR: Tensor Peak (4418'), Spectre Pt (4400+') and Dyadic Peak (4362'): Visit three rarely climbed peaks in the remote Coxcomb Mountains. Saturday - backpack into camp (5 miles, 1300' gain). Sunday - climb peaks then back to camp and out to cars (9 miles, 2000' gain). Must be comfortable on third-class rock and must carry all water for two days. Trip restricted to Sierra Club members. Helmet, harness and completed medical form required. Send email or SASE, experience/conditioning to Leader: Regge Bulman. Assistant Leader: Eric Scheidemantle.

April 16th - 17th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Mount Palmer (7958') and Grapevine PeAak (8738'): These two great Death Valley peaks, near Rhyolite, Nevada (ghost town), beckon to our Desert Rat souls! Saturday - Palmer, class 2, 2200' gain in 9 miles roundtrip if we have enough 4WDs or 3100' gain in 11 miles from our 2WD campsite. Sunday we will hike class 1 Grapevine Peak, 1600' gain, 4 miles (w/4WD) or 2500', 6 miles round trip from camp. Send contact and rideshare information to Leader: Jim Fleming , Co-Leader:Tina Bowman.

May 7th, Saturday, Desert Peaks Section,  I: Pleasant Point (9690’): Join Virgil for a pleasant, late spring desert peak List Finish in the Inyo Mountains (3 miles, 700’ gain) We’ll have a celebration and potluck dinner that evening at a campground near Lone Pine. Email or sase to Leader: Virgil  Popescu, Co-leaders: Dave Perkins, Ann Perkins, Mary Mc Mannes.

June 4th - 5th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Hayford Peak (9912') and Mount Stirling (8218'): Join us for these two Nevada peaks north of Las Vegas with a chance to see great wildlife!  Saturday - Hayford Peak, class 1, 4100' gain in 15 mles round trip. Camp in area Saturday night. Sunday we will caravan north and climb Mount Stirling, class 1, 2200' gain, 4 miles round trip.. Send contact and rideshare information to Leader: Jim Fleming, Co-Leader: Tina Bowman.

July 30th, Saturday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Boundary Peak (13,140’), Montgomery Peak (13,441’): Climb Boundary Peak, high point of Nevada, and Montgomery Peak, then reclimb Boundary Peak on our way back mostly on trail and use trail (12.5 miles, 5000’ gain round trip, less if we have enough 4WD vehicles. Send e-mail or sase conditioning, rideshare information to Leader: Tina Bowman . Co-leaders: Tom Bowman, Kathy Rich and Gary Schenk.

October 8th - 9th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Sandy Point (7062') and List Finish on Last Chance Mountain (8456'): Postponed from March. Ascend Sandy Point (2000' gain, 11 miles) on Saturday. Car camp and Happy Hour at nearby Crater Mine area Saturday evening.  On Sunday, list finish with Daryn Dodge on Last Chance Mountain (2400' gain, 7 miles via Crater Mine route) with a short celebration on the summit so climbers can begin the drive home at a reasonable hour. Join us for one or both peaks. Send e-mail or SASE with conditioning and experience to Leader: Daryn Dodge. Co-leaders: John Cheslick, Kathy Rich, and Gary Schenk.

October 15th - 16th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Mount Palmer (7958') and Grapevine Peak (8738'): These two great Death Valley peaks, near Rhyolite, Nevada (ghost town), beckon to our Desert Rat souls! Saturday, Palmer, class 2, 2200 feet of gain in 9 miles round trip if we have enough 4WDs or 3100 feet of gain in 11 miles from our 2WD campsite. Sunday we will hike class 1 Grapevine, 1600 feet gain, 4 miles (with 4 wheel drive) or 2500 feet, 6 miles round trip from camp. Send contact, rideshare information to Leader: Tina Bowman, Co-Leader: Jim Fleming.

October 22nd - 23rd, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section and WTC, MR: Castle Dome Peak, (3,788’), Signal Peak (4,877’): Mountaineering outing for Sierra Club members only. Climb two sought-after desert peaks in the Kofa Wilderness of southwest Arizona. Saturday climb class 3 Castle Dome Peak, 6 miles round trip, 2100 feet of gain and have happy hour at car camp.  Sunday hike to Signal Peak, 4 miles round trip, 2000 feet of gain.  Helmets and recent 3rd class rock climbing experience required. Send an e-mail with medical form, recent experience and conditioning, H&W phones, and rideshare information to Leader: Stephanie Smith, Co-Leader: Mike Adams.

November 5th - 6th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Granite Mountains # 1 (6762'), Old Woman Mtn (5325'): Join us for 2 peaks in the Mojave Desert - on Saturday we'll climb Granite Mountains #1, 2900' gain, 6.5 miles round trip, 2 miles dirt road driving (2WD vehicles OK). We will meet UC staff in Granite Cove on Sat am for orientation about GMDRC rules and regulations before proceeding with the hike. Opportunity to join potluck celebration for Charlie Knapke at nearby Kelso Dunes on Saturday night. On Sunday climb Old Woman Mtn via the southern Carbonate Gulch approach, 2200' gain, 4 miles round trip (includes sections of sandy road/rocky sections, 4WD vehicles needed). Sign up with Leader: Kathy Rich. Co-Leader: Daryn Dodge.

November 5th - 6th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Manly Peak, (7,195), Needle Peak (5,801’): Join us for the most fun you can have with a fake mustache.  Saturday we'll climb Manly Peak (7 miles, 2900') to the west of Death Valley.  Bring your manliest accessories for the group picture up top then return to the cars for a DPS potluck complete with mustache wearing cupcakes.  Sunday we’ll strut up nearby Needle Peak (6 miles, 2800') before returning home. 4 wheel drive vehicle required.  Leader: Mighty Matthew Hengst Co-Leaders:  Adrienne “Don’t Call Her a Man or She’ll Kick Your Butt” Benedict & Macho Jack Kieffer.

November 12th - 13th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Stewart Point (5,265') and Pahrump Point (5,740'):  Join us for a two day easy paced desert jaunt near the Nevada border  Saturday we'll climb Parumph Point (8 miles, 3400') in the Nopah range followed by a primitive car camp and bordering on excellent DPS potluck.  Sunday we'll climb nearby Stewart Point (6.5 miles, 2600') before celebrating with a post trip meal at the famous Crowbar restaurant in Shoshone. No high clearance vehicle needed. Send email to Leader: Matthew Hengst,  Co-Leader: James Montross.

November 13th, Sunday, Desert Peaks Section and WTC, MR: Bridge Mountain (7,003’): Mountaineering outing for Sierra Club members only. Climb sought-after desert peak in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas, NV. Saturday night car camp off the paved Lovell Canyon Road. Sunday climb class 3 Bridge Mountain, 6.5 miles round trip, 2700’ (including 850’ on the return) and then head home.  Helmets and recent 3rd class rock climbing experience required. Send an e-mail with recent experience and conditioning, H&W phones and rideshare information to Leader: Stephanie Smith. Co-Leader: Neal Robbins.

November 19th - 20th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section,I: Needle Peak (5803'), Manly Peak (7196'): Climb these two Death Valley peaks via the eastern approach from Butte Valley Rd. Possibility to stay in the old Geologist's Cabin. Saturday, climb Needle (7 miles round trip, 2900' gain); Sunday, climb Manly (6 miles round trip, 2800' gain). Enjoy a DPS potluck on Saturday night. 4WD will be necessary in some spots. Send email or SASE to Leader: Kathy Rich; Co-Leader: Tina Bowman.

December 17th, Saturday, Desert Peaks Section, WTC and WAS, I:  Warren Point (5103') and Peak 4610': Moderate (6 mile. 1500' gain) day hike to Peak 4610 and Warren Point in the pinion pine and juniper region of the Mojave Desert in Joshua Tree National Park. Practice navigation and cross-country desert travel in a diverse and complex environment in the cooler winter season. We'll bag seldom visited Peak 4610 and then do a path-finding ascent of the west face of Warren Point to summit. Optional car camping available at Blackrock Campground by reservation. For meeting time and place send email with WTC experience and conditioning, home and work phones to: Leader: Peter Ireland, Assistant: Harvey Ganz.

December 17th, Saturday, Desert Peaks Section, I : Pinto Mountain (3983):  Join us for a nice stroll across desert flats and ascend  Pinto Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park. (9 mles round trip, 2400' gain).  Great views of other peaks.  Send email with conditioning to Provisional Leader: Kevin Gray,  Co-Leader: Jack Kieffer.

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January 7th - 8th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section and HPS, I: Chemehuvi Peak (3,694’) and Whipple Mountain (4,130’):   Shake off your post-New Years’ hangover and join us for two moderate peaks west of Lake Havasu.  Saturday we’ll climb Whipple Mountain (9 miles, 2700’) followed by a primitive car camp and festive happy hour.  Sunday we’ll stroll past the occasional cholla field and grab Chemehuevi Peak (7.5 miles, 2000’) before heading for home.  Send recent experience, conditioning, and carpool information to Leader: Matthew Hengst, Co-leader: Neal Robbins.

January 13th - 15th, Friday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Sentinel Peak (9,634') and Porter Peak (9,101'):  Join us for a strenuous weekend backpack in Death Valley. Friday we'll backpack up Surprise Canyon (7 miles, 3600') to explore the famous ghost town of Panamint City where we'll spend the following two nights.  Saturday we'll be up early and make the long climb to Sentinel and Porter along the ridge (14 miles, 7,000') before returning to camp. Sunday hike out and drive home (5 miles, 0'). Send recent experience, conditioning, carpool info, and predisposition for suffering to Leader: Matthew Hengst, Co-leader: Jack Kieffer.

February 25th - 26th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Palen Mountain (3848’) and Big Maria Mountain (3381’):  Join us for winter climbs of these two low elevation peaks in Riverside County.  Saturday climb Palen, 2600’ gain, 5 miles round trip. We will camp and enjoy a potluck near the starting point of Big Maria Saturday night.  Sunday climb Big Maria, 2300’ gain, 4.5 miles round trip, and we should be able to start for home by early afternoon. Several miles of the approach to each roadhead requires 4WD vehicle. Leader, Dave Perkins; Email with experience and conditioning to Assistant Leader, Ann Perkins.

March 11th, Sunday, Desert Peaks Section and WTC,  I: Black Butte (4.504'), and Chuckwalla Mountain (3,446'): Need to work off the Chili Cookoff?  Join us for two relaxed paced hikes up these two Sonora Desert peaks.  First is Black Butte with 1,600' gain over 3 miles, then a drive on the historic Bradshaw Trail to Chuckwalla Mtn, with 1,500' of gain and 2.5 miles.  We will also keep our eyes peeled for spring flowers.  Email with rideshare information to Leader Pieter Kaufman.  Assistant: Kathy Rich.

March 24th – 25th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Pinto Mountain (5,983') and Eagle Mountain (5,350'):  Join us for two easy peaks close to Los Angeles in beautiful Joshua Tree National Park.  Saturday, we will meet at 9:00 am so folks can drive up early Saturday morning and miss the LA traffic.  We will climb Pinto Saturday, 2,400' gain, 9 miles round trip.  Saturday night we will have beverages of the world happy hour and then Sunday we will climb Eagle, 2,400' gain, 9 miles round trip.; Send sase or e-mail to John.  Leaders:  John Cheslick and Daryn Dodge.

March 24 - 25th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, MR:  Muddy Peak (5387’), Moapa Peak (6471’) Two third class peaks in Southern Nevada. Saturday climb Muddy, 8.5 miles round trip, 2500’ of gain. Sunday climb Moapa with  6 miles round trip and 3400’ of gain. Carcamp and potluck Saturday night. Must be comfortable and experienced on exposed third class rock. Restricted to Sierr Club members. Medical form, helmet and harness required  Send recent experience and conditioning, carpool information, Sierra Club membership number and e-mail or sase to Leader: Gary Schenk. Co-Leader: Tina Bowman.

April 21st - 22nd, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, HPS and WTC, I: Sheep Mountain (5141'), Martinez Mountain (6560'): Climb this classic pair of desert peaks in the Santa Rosa Wilderness south of Palm Springs. Saturday, backpack to camp near Cactus Springs and climb Sheep (8 miles, 2100' gain).  Sunday, Climb Martinez and hike out (12 miles, 3000' gain). Contact with recent conditioning Leader: Tina Bowman,  Co-leader: Rudy Fleck.

August 4th, Desert Peaks Section, I: Boundary Peak (13,140’), Montgomery Peak (13,441'): Join us on this very strenuous hike to summit a couple of spectacular peaks high up in the White Mountains north of Bishop, California.  The first peak is the high point of Nevada; from there we’ll cross the state line into California along a steep and rocky ridge to a peak high above all other DPS Emblem Peaks.  Expect 12 miles round trip and 5000’ elevation gain. Comfort hiking up very steep, loose, and rocky terrain at high elevation is essential.  Contact leader with recent conditioning and experience, including high altitude experience and vehicle/rideshare information, for trip status and details.  Leaders: MAT KELLIHER, JIM FLEMING.

November 4th, Sunday, Desert Peaks Section and WTC, MR: Bridge Mountain (7003') Mountaineering outing for Sierra Club members only. Climb interesting desert peak in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas. Saturday night car camp off 4WD road accessed from paved Lovell Canyon Road. Sunday climb class 3 Bridge Mtn, 8 miles round trip, 2800' (including 850' on the return) and then head home. Helmets and recent 3rd class rock climbing experience required. Send an email with completed medical form, recent experience, conditioning, home and work phones and rideshare information to Leader: Sandy Lara,Co-Leader: Jack Kieffer.

November 10th - 11th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Kingston Peak (7366’) and Avawatz Mountain (6154’):  Join us for two day hikes and car camp southease of Death Valley. Saturday climb Kingston, class 2, 9 miles, 3800’ gain, some bushwhacking involved.  Car camp near Avawatz Saturday evening. Sunday climb Avawatz, 6 miles, 2500’ gain from 4WD parking. Send e-mail or sase with conditioning/experience to Leader: Daryn Dodge. Co-Leader: Kathy Rich.

November  17th - 18th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section and WTC,  M/R:  Castle Dome Peak (3788’) and Signal Peak (4877’) Mountaineering outing for Sierra Club members only. Climb two sought-after desert peaks in the Kofa Wilderness of southwest Arizona. Saturday climb class 3 Castle Dome Peak, 6 miles round trip, 2100’ and then have happy hour back at car camp.  Sunday hike to Signal Peak, 4 miles round trip, 2000’.  Helmets and recent 3rd class rock climbing experience required. Send an e-mail with completed medical form, recent experience, conditioning, H&W phones and rideshare information to Leader: Stephanie Smith, Assistant: Mike Adams.

November 17th – 18th, Saturday - Sunday,Desert Peaks Section, MR:  Hyko Bench Mark (7,950’), East Pahranagat High Point (6,368’), Cathedral Peak (5,772’), and Point 5,678 (5,678').  Join us for two days in Nevada for some off list seldom visited desert peaks! We’ll start off in the South Pahroc Range climbing the Hyko Benchmark highpoint (4 miles, 1800’) and nearby East Pahranagat High Point (5 miles, 2200’) and then proceed to the Meadow Valley Mountains where we’ll enjoy some exposed 3rd class climbing Cathedral Peak (6 miles, 2500’) and it's southern neighbor point 5678' (1 mile, 500').  Comfort and enthusiasm on gloriously loose and hostile desert terrain required.  DPS potluck and car camp included at no extra charge. Email or SASE with conditioning and experience to: Leader:  Matthew Hengst,  Assistant:  Rod Kieffer

November 30th, Friday, Desert Peaks Section, ER:  Baboquivari Peak (7,734’):  Join us for a quick jaunt up the Forbes route of the spectacular Baboquivari Peak (9 miles, 4200') in southern Arizona. Must have previous experience with roped climbing and an active Sierra club membership. Post trip potluck at the Ajo campground near Lukesville for those continuing on with us for two days of private climbs.*  Email or SASE with recent experience, particularly with ropes.  Leader: Matthew Hengst,  Assistant:  Neal Robbins.
*Cerro del Pinacate, Little Picacho, and if time allows Stud Mountain in Mexico will be climbed as private trips, not sponsored by the Sierra Club.

December 1st - 2nd, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Corkscrew Peak (5804'):  Ten years ago (has it been that long?) I led members of the DPS up this fine peak in the Grapevine Mountains of Death Valley to complete the DPS "Peaks List".  Hike with us this weekend to commemorate this anniversary.  Saturday hike Corkscrew to 5804' at the summit; class 2, 3300' gain, 7 miles and 7 hours round trip from the trailhead, but we may take a bit longer if there's a large group.  Monstrous DPS-style pot-luck dinner and then breakfast will follow.  Sunday hikes include Thimble Peak or other options.  Good conditioning and gear for two nights car-camp required.  Leader: Gary Craig, Assistant: Ann Perkins.

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2013

January 5th - 6th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Tin Mountain (8,953’) and Dry Mountain (8,674’):  Join us for one last hurrah before WTC season steals a good chunk of us away!  This time we’re off to Death Valley where we’ll enjoy spectacular views grabbing two peaks over two rugged and strenuous days (Dry Mountain 11 miles, 5200’; Tin Mountain 7 miles, 4200’) with the ever popular DPS car camp / potluck in between!  As an added bonus not one Matt but two!  Email Leader with conditioning and experience.  Leader:  Matthew Hengst, Assistant: Mat Kelliher.

January 12th, Saturday, WTC and Desert Peaks Section, MR: Bridge Mountain (6995').  Join us for a fun New Year’s climb on fantastic Red Rock sandstone. We’ll start pre-dawn to hike into and climb Bridge Mountain and get back out to cars by sunset. 12 mile total round trip, 3100' gain. Must be comfortable on exposed, third-class rock. Helmet and medical form required. Restricted to Sierra Club members. Send email with experience and conditioning to Leader: Monica Suua, (mosuua@gmail.com) Assistant Leader: Eric Scheidemantle.

January 12th - 13th, 2013, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Panamint Butte (6584') and Tucki Mountain (6726'): Join us for two Death Valley peaks. Saturday it will be Panamint Butte from Towne Pass, tagging Towne benchmark along the way, on a roller coaster ride along the ridge--significant gain on the way back (16 miles, 5000' gain). On Sunday we'll hike up Tucki (7.5 miles, 2000' gain if we have enough 4WD vehicles; 14 miles, 4300' gain with 2WD). We hope to explore the Journigan cabin and mine if we have the 4WD vehicles, maybe the Martin cabin as well. Send an e-mail with experience and recent conditioning to Leader: Tina Bowman, Assistant: Paul Garry.

January 19th – 20th, Saturday – Sunday, Desert Peak Section, I:  Spirit Mountain (5,639’), McCullough Mountain (7,026’).  Join us for the Second Annual Mustache Mosey (featuring mustaches!)  After our now legendary trip to Manly & Needle last year we’ll spend two days wandering around the desert in the southern tip of Nevada climbing listed peaks Spirit (3 miles, 2000’ gain) and McCullough (7 miles, 2000’). But that’s not all! Sausagefest themed potluck Saturday night. Fake mustaches required! Outlandish costumes strongly encouraged! Sign up NOW!  Leaders:  “Mighty” Matthew Hengst, “Macho” Jack Kieffer and Adrienne “Don’t Call Her A Man or She’ll Kick Your Butt” Benedict.

February 11th, Monday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Rosa Point (5,083’): Join us in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park for a very strenuous day hike at a slow, but steady pace to this remote HPS and DPS listed peak in the Santa Rosa Mountains near Borrego Springs, CA. This ridge hike is all cross country for 12 miles round trip and 4,800’ of gain across steep, rocky, sometimes loose, always thorny desert terrain. Bring lots of water (5 liters recommended), food, a hat, and the rest of your 10 essentials. Consider car camping at the trailhead (or a nearby motel) the night before to ease the impact of our ‘first light’ start. Email leaders with recent experience and conditioning for trip status and details. Leaders: MAT KELLIHER, PAT ARREDONDO

February 16th - 17th, Saturday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Granite Mountain #2 (4,331'), Eagle Mountain #1 (5,350')  Join us for one or both of these peaks in and near Joshua Tree National Park. Saturday we'll climb Granite Mountain, a class 2 scramble in 6 miles round trip and 2,800' of gain. Car camp in area with traditional DPS potluck. Sunday, a longer 9 mile round trip, 2,400' class 1 climb of Eagle Mountain. High clearance vehicles advised on Granite. Email Jim Fleming with recent experience and conditioning for trip status and details. Leaders: JIM FLEMING and TINA BOWMAN.

February 22 – 24, Friday - Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, I: Stepladder (2927’), Turtle Mountain. (4298') and Big Maria Mountain (3381’): Escape to the desert for a couple of early season climbs. Friday climb Stepladder (12 miles, 1450’ gain). We will car camp and enjoy a potluck near the starting point for Turtle on Friday night. On Saturday climb Turtle, 13 miles r/t, 2700’ gain. We will camp near the starting point for Big Maria on Saturday night.  Sunday climb Big Maria, 2300’ gain, 4.5 miles, although several miles of the approach to the Trailhead requires 4WD vehicles. We should be able to start for home by early afternoon. Email with experience and conditioning to Leader, Kathy Rich; Co-Leaders: Paul Garry and Jim Fleming.

March 23rd, Saturday, Desert Peaks Section, I:  Porter Peak (9101’) and Sentinel Peak (9634’): Join us for these two peaks in Death Valley on the crest of the Panamints. Climb both peaks via cross-country route from Pleasant Canyon, round trip 12 miles, 4000’ gain. Send recent experience and conditioning, carpool information and e-mail or sase to Leader: Gary Schenk. Co-Leader: Tina Bowman.

March 24th, Sunday, Desert Peaks Section, MR: Moapa Peak (6,741’): A desert classic! Climb DPS favorite Moapa Peak in Southern Nevada. Spectacular views from the airy, knife-edge summit ridge. 7 miles round trip, 3,400 ft gain. Participants must be comfortable on exposed, third class rock. Helmet required. Restricted to Sierra Club members. Email SC membership number, contact information, completed Participant Medical Form and climbing resume with relevant experience to Leader: Joseph Bell, josephhikes@gmail.com. Assistant Leader: Regge Bulman.

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