Santa Rosa Ramble: Rosa, Pyramid, Palm Peaks & 1 Really Good Canyon ~ 15M/5.5K G
Details
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What: Santa Rosa Ramble: Rosa Point (5,038' on Desert Peaks List), Pyramid Peak (3,500'), Palm Peak (2,700') & 1 really good side canyon with some scrambling. We'll start our mainly cross-country (no trails) desert hike by crossing the desert floor, then up a wash, before climbing up to Rosa Point (5,038') and discovering the remains of a dead male bighorn sheep along the way. Then over to Pyramid Peak (3,500') where we'll have great 360 degree views including of the entire nearby Salton Sea. Then on to climb up the back side chute of Palm (Traveler's) Peak (2,700'). We'll finish up our desert hike by dropping into a very cool side canyon with some small dry waterfalls to scramble down, a rock "slide" to fall off of, a chalk stone to pass under, & a nice chimney move (15' vertical drop where you wedge yourself between the 2 rock sides using pressure between your lower back & legs to hold yourself up as you "sit" & then wiggle your way down - fun, fun, fun!). We'll set up a short car shuttle before we begin. See some pics of this hike below:
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Details: this hike is estimated / guesstimated to be approx. 15 cross-country desert miles / with around 5,500' elevation gain, or so. Estimated hiking time: approx. 8:15 AM - 7:45 PM, with stops @ each peak to sign peak registers, eat food, enjoy views. Optional dinner stop afterwards at either the Red Ocotillo Restaurant or the Taco Shop in Borrego Springs for those interested.
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Bring: a minimum of 4 quarts or liters of H2O with electrolytes (you may need more if you drink a lot normally ... & 1 of those quarts / liters can be in a bottle that you can drop off for awhile to lighten your load IF you want to), snacks to eat WHILE MOVING, lunch for the peak(s), layers (jacket or fleece, beanie, gloves, etc), hat / sunglasses / sunscreen, headlamp or light just in case we finish a bit after dark (unlikely, but possible), first aid / "drugs", poles, gaiters, plastic comb & pointy tweezers for getting any cactus out, etc. Pre-hydrate by drinking Friday & again Sat. in the AM for breakfast & on the drive out to the desert.
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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 picture stops as necessary; I'll take a 1/2 hr break at all the peaks to eat "real food" / sign registers / enjoy the view; I usually prefer to hike at a bit faster then average pace if possible depending on what the group can do but am having some knee issues so will likely be more of a moderate pace this time around.
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Weather Links:
Desert Floor (start & end only): http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.31216783738619&lon=-116.19552612304688
Pyramid Peak (& elev. where we'll be much of the day: all around 3.5K elev.): http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.338559712732525&lon=-116.19140625
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Contact me ahead of time if you have Q's: 619-315-9731 cell or stevefausset@gmail.com
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My Meetup Rules:
- *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.
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- 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 the profiles of the hikers to get a feel for the group beforehand.
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