Desert hike anyone?

[Marknhj]

I'm thinking about doing Art Smith on Saturday.

Sometime in the next couple of weeks I'm going to do Dunn Road from Cathedral Canyon to Art Smith, then Art Smith out and back. I think it's about 24 miles. I went up Dunn Road to Art Smith yesterday to take a look; it was about 8 miles RT with I'm guessing a 2000' elevation gain (based on eyeballing Murray's Hill which you hike past, correct me if I'm wrong). Very nice mountain views.

[Cy Kaicener]

I am looking forward to a trip with http://www.outdoorsclub.org in the Calandar section on Feb 28 -- Indian Canyons to pct/cedar spring via jo-pond trail
which is 13 miles and about 5500 ft gain with a shuttle at the end

[tomcat_rc]

Yesterday I did Corkscrew Peak in DV. Snow levels are generally between 6-7,000'. No snow on the trail until the last steep pitch below the summit (northern exposure), and then about 1-2".

As best we could determine, Wildrose Road is now re-opened, but the road between the campground (near the stop sign/old ranger station) and the kilns is blocked at some point. By what is unclear – some said snow, others gravel. We stopped at Stovepipe on the way over, but were too early to talk with a ranger. Mosaic Canyon was still closed, but looked like it might re-open by the end of the day.

Conditions could change rapidly over the next few days. Weather forecasts indicate snow levels may drop to 3,500-4,500' in the northern Mojave.

any idea on details - we are supposed to hike out of the kilns on Sunday?

[NormaR]

bluerail,

that was kind of you to offer the shuttle. i can't get down there on saturday, but have a great hike!

[halhiker]

I am looking forward to a trip with http://www.outdoorsclub.org in the Calandar section on Feb 28 -- Indian Canyons to pct/cedar spring via jo-pond trail
which is 13 miles and about 5500 ft gain with a shuttle at the end

That'll be interesting considering the snow conditions. I heard snow was down well below 5000 feet this evening near Mountain Center and the PCT is close to 7000 near where the Cedar Spring Trail crosses. Bluerail said there was a lot of snow on the trail before these last couple of storms.

Also, with Hermit's Bench at 800 feet, that'd put the elevation gain at about 6,200.

[Kevin]

any idea on details - we are supposed to hike out of the kilns on Sunday?

I don't, Tom. My suggestion would be to call the NPS in Death Valley. Since there was lots of flooding from the storm last weekend (with some standing water in the low spots), if I had to make an educated guess - there may be a foot or two of gravel over the road a few miles from the kiln. But, that's only a guess on my part, based on flooding from previous years.

Snow is lower than 6000' down this way already.

Not surprised to hear that Kathy. I heard Cajon pass has been closed once or twice over the past week.

[Ellen]

Howdy David,

Sorry for the delay in responding. I'll be heading up the tram to snowshoe again tomorrow Sunday Feb 15. I'm sorry to be flip-flopping on where I'm hiking -- I almost feel like a politician. I look forward to hooking with you on the trail in the near future.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[zippetydude]

"I look forward to hooking with you on the trail in the near future. "

Yeow!

But seriously, I hope to drag my lazy body out on the trail tomorrow too, though I'm probably just going out the PCT a ways. This time of year, it's beautiful going up from Snow Creek - there are a couple of seasonal streams that run when we've had good rain. If you go the other way, out of Cottonwood, the stream can be hard to cross. Not dangerous, but coming back 7 or 8 miles with wet shoes would be miserable.

How come nobody ever does the PCT but Kathy and me?

z

[KathyW]

Zip: I was thinking about the PCT just today because flower season is around the corner.

I want to go in at Mission Creek to the PCT. Last spring when I met you on the PCT out in the Whitewater area the flowers were so beautiful. That was the first week in April last year, so I'm going to plan on heading in to the PCT from Mission Creek at the very end of March this year.

Kathy

[lilbitmo]

Does anyone know which Ranger station has permits for "Hooking" on the trials in San Jacinto or Santa Rosas?