Desert Double: Rosa Point (5,038') & Pyramid Pk (3.5K') Loop ~ 15 M / 5K' Gain

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What: Off-trail desert loop to include crossing the desert floor & climbing up to Rosa Point (5,038' - it's on Desert Peaks List for you peak baggers doing lists) & later Pyramid Peak (3,500'). This hike includes sandy washes, some interesting rocks, the skull & bones of "Herman", a dead male bighorn sheep (lion predation), plenty of climbing, & some wonderful views including of the nearby Salton Sea. This is a cross-country (no trails generally, although an old Indian use trail for some of it later in the day) desert loop hike in the southern Santa Rosa Mtns around 13 or so miles east of the town of Borrego Springs, CA (just east of / past Clark Dry Lake). Pure hiking estimates: time - approx. 8 AM - 7:30 PM or so; approx. 15 cross-country (mainly no trails) miles with approx. 5,000' of elevation gain or uphill & a bit of occasional minor scrambling (& remember that off-trail desert miles & elevation gain hike harder than a similar hike on mountain trails). Optional dinner stop afterwards as always in Borrego Springs at the Red Ocotillo Restaurant for those interested. See some pics of this hike:

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Bring: 4 quarts or liters of H2O with electrolytes minimum (you may need a bit more if you're a heavy drinker who goes through more than others on hikes), snacks to eat WHILE MOVING, lunch for the peak stops, layers (jacket or wind breaker, down or fleece, beanie, gloves, etc), hat / sunglasses / sunscreen, plastic comb & tweezers for getting any cactus out, headlamp or light with fresh batteries just in case, any first aid or "drugs" you need, poles & gaiters are helpful, etc. Pre-hydrate by drinking Sat. AM & on the drive out.

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My Hiking Style: we'll stay together as a group for both camaraderie & safety; we snack & drink while we move except for short bathroom breaks or to take pictures from time to time along the way; I'll take a 1/2 hr or longer break at the 2 peaks to eat "real" food / sign registers / enjoy the 360 views; I prefer to hike at a steady, bit faster then average pace over the course of a long off-trail desert day & evening.

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Weather Links:

Start / Desert Floor: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.30241229561463&lon=-116.19518280029297

At Peak: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.3680259705606&lon=-116.18226528167725

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Contact me ahead of time if you have Q's: 619-315-9731 cell or via meetup messaging.

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My Meetup Rules:

1. *WAIVER OF LIABILITY: This group, its organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers will not be held responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur carpooling to and from hikes, or for any injuries or accidents before, during, and after group hikes. If you sign up and come on this hike outing you are acknowledging that you freely and voluntarily assume all risks of injuries and damages and agree to participate in the hike/outing.

2. Please no +1s or guests - all attending must be group members who are signed up for this hike. This is for liability reasons & to allow me to see each person's profile to get a feel for the group before the hike.