CALIFORNIA/NEVADA REGIONAL COMMITTEE DESERT COMMITTEE OUTINGS

For questions about, or to sign up for a particular outing, please contact the leader listed in the write-up.  For questions about Desert Committee outings in general, or to receive the outings list by e-mail, please contact Kate Allen at kj.allen@wildblue.net or 661-944-4056.

          December 5-6, Saturday-Sunday 

Explore and Serve in the Carrizo Plains National Monument  (CNRCC Desert Committee)

Pronghorn antelope will not jump fences to escape predators but rather attempt to crawl under. Our service on Saturday will either remove or modify several sections of fence to facilitate this mobility. Sunday will be, at the choice of the group, either a hike in the Caliente Range or else a tour of popular viewing areas in the plains. This is an opportunity to combine carcamping, day-hiking, exploring, and service in a relatively unknown wilderness.  Contact Ldr: Craig Deutsche, (310-477-6670), craig.deutsche@gmail.com

          December 12-13, Saturday-Sunday

Service and Hiking in a Southern Desert  (CNRCC Desert Committee)

This is the cooler season to visit the southern deserts. Our project on Saturday will be on the east side of the North Algadones Dunes Wilderness, approximately 20 miles east of Brawley, CA, where we will rebuild facilities at the Watchable Wildlife Site. Saturday evening is a carcamp with potluck dinner. Sunday we will take a recreational hike either from our work site or else in the nearby Indian Pass Wilderness. For information contact leader Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, (310-477-6670). CNRCC Desert Committee

          December 28 - January 2, 2010, Monday-Saturday

Holiday Service in Carrizo Plain National Monument  (CNRCC Desert Committee)

Celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next in one of our new national monuments. The Carrizo Plain, west of Bakersfield, is a vast grassland, home to pronghorn antelope, tule elk, kit fox, and a wide variety of birds. A welcome hike Dec. 28, three and a half days of service modifying barbed wire fencing, and a full day for hiking and exploring are planned. Use of accommodations at Goodwin Ranch included. Limited to 14 participants, $30 covers five dinners. For more information, contact leader: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, (310-477-6670), or co-leader Melinda Goodwater, mgoodwater@sbcglobal.net, (408-774-1257).  CNRCC Desert Committee

          January 22-24, Friday-Sunday

Wilderness Restoration - Death Valley National Park  (CNRCC Desert Committee)

Come help protect Death Valley National Park from abuse by illegal off-road traffic.  This wilderness restoration project along the park's scenic eastern boundary in the Amargosa Valley involves the installation of signs, raking out of vehicle tracks and moving rocks.  Meet late Friday afternoon, or early Saturday morning, work Saturday and part of the day on Sunday.  Camping Friday and Saturday night will be in a Park Service camping area (no water, portable toilets).  Leader:  Kate Allen (944-4056)

          February 15 -17, Monday-Wednesday

Gold Butte Introductory Tour  (CNRCC Desert Committee)

Come explore this proposed National Conservation Area in Southeast Nevada.  See many beautiful and interesting sights, including petroglyphs and Joshua trees.  Climb one of the areas peaks and enjoy the splendid views.  Central commissary.  Leader:  Vicky Hoover, 415-977-5527, vicky.hoover@sierraclub.org

          March 14-20, Sunday-Saturday

Glen Canyon NRA, Escalante River Canyon - Service Trip/Backpack  (Delta-Sierra Group, Mother Lode Chapter)

Assist the National Park Service in eradicating Russian Olive from the Escalante River.  Working under the direction of Park Ranger Bill Wolverton, we will gather up slash from previous service trips and burn it. Since 2000, over half of the river has been cleared.  Meet in Escalante, Utah Sunday morning, March 14, caravan out to the trailhead and hike in. Work four days, day hike one day and hike out Saturday morning March 20. Expect knee to thigh deep river crossings, overnight lows near freezing and mild temperatures during the day.  Participants will be responsible for their own leather work gloves (highly recommended), food, and gear on the trail.  Contact Leader Paul Plathe: 209-476-1498.    

          March 20-21, Saturday-Sunday

Overnight Backpack in the Panamint Mountains  (CNRCC Desert Committee)

North of Surprise Canyon on the west side of the Panamints, Hall Canyon and Jail Canyon descend into the Panamint Valley from the slopes of Telescope Peak. This will be a loop trip taking in the lower reaches of these canyons.  On Saturday, we'll hike up Hall Canyon and camp.  On Sunday, we'll make our way across the dividing ridge between Hall Canyon and Jail Canyon and descend the 4WD route to the road.  The canyon mouths are short enough that we won't need to set up a car shuttle.  For more information contact leader:  John Wilkinson (408) 876-8295, johnfw1@mac.com.

          April 17-18, Saturday-Sunday

Tamarisk Bashing and Birding in the Owens Valley  (CNRCC Desert Committee)