Hiking Club
One of the dilemmas of hike planning is to determine how the
length of time driving to and from the site compares to the time
actually hiking on the trail. May's hike validated that sometimes
a long drive is compensated by the experience of the hike. The
Hearty Hikers ventured 70 miles east to the backside of the Joshua
Tree National Park at Cottonwood Springs. The day was perfect
for hiking: temperatures in the 60 degree range, high clouds and
a desert flora in bloom. The three mile loop from the parking lot
to Mastodon Peak has an elevation gain overall of 1,100 feet on a
well maintained trail. The first geologic marker is an oasis formed
during an earthquake now surrounded by palm trees. The spring
here was the watering hole for countless prospectors in bygone
times. As the trail ascends and descends, small hills and large
boulders overlook their valleys. Along the way tall spires of ocotillo
branches were in bloom and beneath them squat chollas with
small blossoms were attracting hungry bees. Mastadon Mountain
is literally the high point of this trail. Old mining shafts and
structures, long abandoned, are trailside markers to those hearty
pioneers who first populated the area. The Lunch Bunch capped
the hike at the nearby Chiriaco Summit Coffee Shop.
To find out where we are hiking call or e-mail Lynette, (951) 3770392, lynette.simonson@gmail.com. ~ Leonard Tavernetti
L-R: Paty Bushnell, Len Tavernetti, Bev McLaughlin, Lynette
Simonson, Jim Sein, Dave Kershaw and Christine Stephens
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SPORTS & Outdoor ACTIVITIES | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2013
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