Volume 9 Issue 3 March, 2008 Palm Springs, California

The Oasis

www.greatoutdoors.org/ps

The General Meeting is at Desert Pride Center, Palm Springs 760-327-2313. The meeting day, is the third Wednesday of the month, March 19

from 7:45 to 9:00 pm. The Core Group meets from 6:30-7:30 PM. (business meeting) The Center’s address is 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Unit

A., Palms Springs, CA.

M y name is Andy Cardenas. Most of you know me

as the one who is always late for the 4x4 runs in

my old Jeep Scrambler.

The reason for this letter is to ask

your support as a member of

Palm Springs Great Outdoors.

I am registered to ride the 7th Annual AIDS

Life Cycle which is a bicycle ride from San

Francisco to Los Angeles, June 1-7, 2008.

The goal and reason for this ride is to raise

funds for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian

Center and the San Francisco AIDS Founda-

tion. As a participant of this ride, I have

agreed to raise $2500 dollars. But, I have

set a personal goal of $5000! Why so much when I only have to raise

the minimum? Well, it’s about trying to give just that much more be-

cause I can. Every extra dollar makes the difference for treatment,

HIV testing, medications for someone who cannot afford what their

insurance doesn’t cover. The list could go on, but I think we all have

the general idea.

So, with that said, take a look at my ride page:

Click on the link to make a donation, any amount

is welcome and greatly appreciated. If you choose

to write a check, a pledge form can be

downloaded from the same page, or just email me

at sobrbear@hotmail.com or call me at home

760-416-2148 and I will be glad to mail you a

pledge form with a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the AIDS

Life Cycle office address on it.

The greatest part about this ride is I am representing Palm Springs on

a ride team called Team Great Outdoors! This is a group of riders that

are from various chapters of Great Outdoors from Santa Barbara to

Palm Springs. You can see the website here:

http://www.teamgreatoutdoors.org

So, take a look around, share this with friends, family and co-workers

who you think might be willing to help me out and make a donation.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this letter and for

any donated amount you send in for my fundraising efforts!

Andy Cardenas

Joshua Tree All Chapter Jamboree

April 17-18-19-20 (page 5)

San Simeon All Chapter Jamboree

July 17-18-19-20

Grand Canyon All Chapter Jamboree

September 17-18-19-20-21

Up coming camping

trips to keep in mind

when planning long

term.

Spring Wildflower Walks

Two Sundays in March

Coachella Valley Preserve, March 16

Mission Creek, March 30

Time: 9:00 am @ Hunter’s

Return at: 1:00 pm

Elevation gain:100 feet

These will be leisurely

walks to see and photo-

graph the local wildflowers

Difficulty: easy

Bring your camera, wa-

ter, snacks or lunch.

Bill Bulger

@760.202.0457

http://www.aidslifecycle.org/6692

Blazing Star

Nama

Password for March is:

gohike

Hey you…..

Let’s Take A

Hike?

Most hikes meet

in front of

HUNTER’S on

Arenas Road,

Palm Springs,

unless otherwise

specified. Bring

plenty of water

and a snack or

lunch.

Anza Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail,

Saturday, March 1 @ 9:00 am

T his is a loop hike from the campground parking lot trail head to the Palm grove at Borrego Palm Canyon. The nature trail

winds along the active stream bed, through blooming ocotillo, beaver tail cactus, Teddy Bear cholla, and desert lavender. There are 15 stops along the way describing various vegetation, rocks, and animals in the area. You will encounter 3 easy water cross-ings along the journey, and a section of stone steps from the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps that leads towards the palm grove.

We will lunch at the palm grove, and then head back towards the campground parking lot by an alternate trail. This trail keeps us high on the alluvial fan, passing through typical desert vegetation, and providing sweeping views of the valley towards Coyote Mountain.

If there is interest, and high clearance vehicles are available, we will stop at Font’s point on the return

back to Palm Springs to take in a view of the bad-lands area.

Note:

This is a 172 mile round trip event. Please compensate your driver accord-ingly. Gas cost would be about $25 per vehicle.

There is also a $6.00 parking charge per vehicle for access to the trail head.

Please arrive at Hunter’s fueled up and ready to drive directly to Anza Borrego De-sert State Park.

Length: 3 miles

Driving time: 4 hours

Hiking time: 2.5

Elevation gain: 200 feet

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Return at: 4:00 pm

Hike leader: Bob Burkholder @

760.464.7018

Pine City, Saturday, March 8 at 9:00 am

P ine City was never a city. It wasn’t even a town. It is just an area in the north central part of Joshua Tree Na-tional Park with more pine trees than are usually found in

the desert. The trailhead is accessible from the main park road near Jumbo Rocks. The trail is relatively flat, and provides an opportunity to explore the scenery and plant life of the park. For those who are interested, on the return we will take a short side trail to view the ruins of the Desert Queen mine.

Note: There is an ad-mission fee to the park: $15.00 per vehicle or one of the National Park passes.

Length: 4 miles

Hiking time: 2 hours

Elevation gain: 150 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Return at: 3:00 pm

Hike leader: Bruce Maughan @

760.327.1789

California Great Outdoors, Inc.

Mario Voce 730 Catalina Avenue, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5848, mariovoce@yahoo.com (562)-431-4760

Full information and registration form at: www.greatoutdoors.org/ps

Please Note: Palm Springs chapter members

will be reimbursed for these classes after

you lead two day hikes for Phase 1 and one

overnight camping trip for Phase 2.

OUTDOORS EXPERIENCE II WEEKEND : Building upon

what was learned in the first session, this OUTDOOR CAMPING WEEKEND covers practical field work and gives you a chance

to put to real use the skills you've learned so far. Among the highlighted topics are camp management, leading day hikes,

map, compass, knot craft, outdoors cooking, and much more. This is a fun way to apply those fundamentals you've been

shown, as well as an opportunity to unlearn habits which may be harmful to the environment and which may be unsafe to

you and to your fellow campers.

OUTDOORS EXPERIENCE I WEEKEND An open forum presented by experienced GREAT OUTDOORS leaders is just the beginning. Learn from their successes and past mistakes. Explore such topics as choosing an outing location, candid evaluations of equipment, water purification, philosophy of minimum impact camping, hiking resources and field guides, outdoor travel, guiding others, emergency gear and specific first aid principles for the out-doors traveler. You will also participate in a short day hike.

The Outdoors Experience Phase One April 12-13 Phase Two April 25-26-27

Ski Big Bear

Gene Levy plans weekly

midweek day trips to ski

at Big Bear. If interested please

leave a message at: 760.409.9471

Share driving and expenses.

Moonlight Hike

Earl Hinderson Trail

Located in South Palm Canyon area – this trail leads from the valley floor up to a plateau area, with views towards the north and east. Meet at Hunter’s, and drive to the trailhead located off South Palm Canyon Drive from Bogert Trail.

When: Friday, March 21 Time: 8:00 pm Where: Hunter’s on Arenas Length: 2 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 300 feet Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Contact: Bob Burkholder @ 760.464.7018

Note: Bring flashlight, snacks, and water

Game Night

Friday, March 14

@ 6:00 pm

Gardner, Ed and Pete

30480 Keith Ave

Cathedral City

760.202.7413

Bring a potluck dish or snack to

share, your beverage and any

table games you wish to play.

Directions: From Palm Springs

go East across the wash to Lan-

dau. Left on Landau 1/2 mile to

Vega. Left on Vega 2 blocks to

Keith Ave.

Our chapter is always looking

for Game Night Hosts. Please

call Bill McPike at 760.778.7851

if interested.

Thank You

Miniature Golf Monday, March 31 @

3:00 pm

Location: Boomers, 67-700

East Palm Canyon, Cathedral City

Keith Norris @ 760.202.4936

Welcome New Members

Steven Berchenko

Lloyd Queen

Bud Smith Tom Synder

San Diego chapters, San Onofre camp-out over Presidents Day

Photos courtesy of Ron Gilbert,

Palm Springs chapter

Great Outdoors

Palm Springs

4X4 and Camping

Information? Yahoo Email Group at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/Groups/GOPS4X4

For your safety, as well as the safety of others, here is a

short list of the equipment you should have on your 4x4.

· Seat belts for all passengers

· CB radio (we use channel 20 when possible)

· Full size spare & suitable jack

· Fire extinguisher

· Tow strap (no metal hook)

· Tow attachment FRONT and REAR. Very important!

· Reliable 4 WD vehicle with 2 speed transfer case

· Anti-sway bar, disconnected (Trails rated 2 and above on the

4+ scale rating system and where applicable on the 10 scale.

Description: Adventure into the heart of the 20,000 acre South Fork San Jacinto proposed wilder-ness. We will take a 4x4 route along the picturesque Rouse Ridge through the San Jacinto Moun-tains, stopping part way through to hike down into the South Fork San Jacinto canyon (a 5 mile hike round trip.)

After lunch next to the San Jacinto River we will hike back up to our jeeps and continue along Rouse Ridge, returning to Palm Springs in the early evening. Note: This 4x4 trip is being made in conjunction with Shane Walton's presentation on the proposed California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act. Shane was our guest speaker at February’s general meeting

Shane is listing the hike portion as "moderate." High clearance vehicles are not necessary for this trip, but 4 wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Road conditions vary and will be evaluated prior to the trip. We will assign only 3 people total for each of the smaller Jeep vehicles. This will leave room for carry-ing backpacks and supplies in the rear of the vehicles. Also in case a vehicle drops out at the last min-

ute (which has happened), the extra space will prevent someone from being turned away on the day of the event. Passengers who call the contact (listed below) will be accommodated on a first come, first served ba-sis. It all depends upon how many 4x4 vehicles sign up. Fuel Donations: Passengers are requested to "chip in" for gas. 4x4 vehicles consume lots of gas rid-

ing on the roads, particularly on freeways or at high speed. While we don't set any minimum donation or even require one, here's a guideline - A 100 mile trip will consume approx. 10 gallons of gas. At $3 per gallon, that's $30 for the trip. If there were a total of three people in the vehicle (2 passengers and a driver), then a $10 per passenger donation would be appropriate. Meeting Location: Parking lot @ PetSmart (Ramon & Crossley), 5601 Ramon Rd E, Palm Springs. Contact: Scott Connelly @ (760)324-5001 or E-mail: Mscottconnelly@aol.com

Rouse Ridge Saturday March 22

@

8:00 am

Palm Springs

4x4

T his year as a special ALL Chapter event, we invite you and your friends to join us on a camping & hiking

adventure to Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua tree is beautiful, Joshua Tree is grotesque. Joshua Tree is

peaceful, adventurous, freezing, sweltering and a million other contradictions rolled into one. It is at first

glance a desert wasteland. And yet, with it’s strange but fascinating plant life, balanced boulders, scenic hiking

trails and spectacular night skies, Joshua Tree has become a Great Outdoors staple.

Located a few miles northeast of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree straddles the transition zone between the Mojave

and Sonoran Deserts. Covering nearly 800,000 acres, it encompasses a stunning range of landscapes and life

zones. The northwestern part to the park we’ll be visiting is by far the most famous. Lying above 3000 feet in

elevation, it occupies a slightly cooler climate filled with strange rock formations and the iconic Joshua tree.

We will be camping at the Black Rock Campground, high in the foothills of the Little San Bernardino Mountains.

Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring just right for bonfires. There are also flush toilets and water. No

showers are available so bring your favorite sun shower and deodorant! We have reserved two blocks of individ-

ual campsites (49-52 & 54-60). Each site can host two tents, two cars and up to six people.

The weather can be very unpredictable, but early Spring visits enjoy the mildest weather of the year. Day temps

can be in the 80’s and lows in the 50’s. There are MANY GREAT days hikes, star gazing and other fun events

planned so don’t miss out!

Directions: Freeway 10 towards Palm Springs, and then take 62 (Twenty Nine Palms Hwy). From hwy 62 in

Yucca Valley, take Avalon Ave. South. Continue on South Avalon Ave. which turns into Palomar Ave. Continue

further still and Palomar merges into Joshua Lane. Head South. You’ll dead end into San Marino Rd. Right to

Black Rock Canyon Rd, which takes you into the park. Note: Entering at this location is free of charge (as you

cannot enter the main park via Black Rock Campgrounds roads). If you enter through any of the three main en-

trances West Entrance Station, North Entrance station you will need to pay a one time entrance fee of $15.00

per vehicle.

Also note: Parking is limited to 2 vehicles per site. No over flow parking is available. A maximum of 22 will be

allowed to park at the campsite. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

A Great Outdoors all chapter event

Joshua Tree

Black Rock Campground

April 17th thru 20th

Contact: Carlos Chandler

(818) 922-4533

e-mail: classicdoublec@yahoo.com

Thursday, 4/17:

1:00 pm………………………..…Check-in (4-Day campers)

3:00 pm………………………..……High View Nature Trail

6:00 pm……………..…………………..Meet and Greet Tea

7:00 pm………….…..Chili & Cornbread Dinner (included)

10:00 pm…………….Jiffy pop or S’more at the main fire pit

Friday, 4/18: (Breakfast on your own)

All day……………………………Friday camper arrivals

9:30 am…………………Warren Peak & Panorama Loop

7:00 pm Winnie roast (included)

10:00 pm……...……Jiffy Pop or S’mores at the main fire pit

Saturday, 4/19: (Breakfast on your own)

9:30 am…Eureka Peak or Mt. Bike the geology Tour Road

(pack a lunch)

7:00 pm……………………………….……Potluck Dinner

10:00 pm…………………………………Jiffy pop or S’mores

Sunday, 4/20: (Breakfast on your own)

Noon…………………………….…Check-out of campsite

Bring your ten essentials (listed on GO website at:

www.greatoutdoors.org), camping/cooking gear,

firewood, food, warm/cool weather clothing. Carpooling

is recommended to help reduce gas cost and parking.

Register: Complete the registration form at:

www.greatoutdoors.org and

send with check payable to: Great Outdoors to:

Carlos Chandler

P.O. Box 21051

Santa Barbara, CA 93121

Camping

Great Outdoors Palm Springs Presents

Whitewater

Easy Overnight Camp

March 15th

Contact: Peter Worline or Ed Emond @ 760-202-7413

R ight in our backyard, Whitewater Preserve is 2,851 acres surrounded by the San Gorgonio Wilderness and is part of the

Wildlands Conservancy’s 33,000-acre Sand to Snow Preserve System. We will camp at the former Whitewater Trout Farm that has been fully restored and renovated. This scenic 291 acres lies at the end of Whitewater Canyon Road, north of

Palm Springs off Interstate 10, and is an important portal into the San Gorgonio Wilderness and preserve lands.

The Wildlands Conservancy restored the lodge at the former trout farm for a visitor facility and has developed a picnic area,

group campground, and a trailhead which is only a half mile from the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The picnic area and ponds are overshadowed by steep vertical cliffs where bighorn sheep thrive along with numerous raptors.

The year-round Whitewater River runs through the preserve and riparian vegetation provides habitat for the endangered south-

west willow flycatcher and the Bell’s vireo as well as opportunities to see migrating birds including summer tanagers and vermil-ion flycatchers. The canyon has a robust population of bear, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain lions. The Wildlands Conser-

vancy demolished 19 neglected houses and structures in Whitewater Canyon and removed diseased non-native elm trees. These impacted lands are being restored with native sycamores, cottonwoods, flowering ash, narrow leaved willows and native shrubs.

Itinerary:

Saturday, 3/15

8:00 am…...Check-in

11:00 am…..Hike-Pacific Crest Trail

2:00 pm…..Recreation Activities

6:00 pm…..Dinner (Provided-Main Course-Hamburgers)

8:00 pm….Group Campfire (Snacks)

Sunday, 3/16

8:00 am Breakfast (Provided-Main Course: Pancakes)

What you should know: Register early. There is a limited

number of spaces. There is water for cleaning and restroom facili-

ties but there are no showers.

What you should bring: Dinner on Saturday and Breakfast

on Sunday will be provided. Be sure and bring lunch for the Sat-

urday hike, Ten essentials (listed on GO website), camping gear

for one night, 1 bundle of firewood per person, beverages,

warm/cool weather clothing and drinking water for 1.5 days and 3

hour hike.

Register: Complete this registration form and send with check (payable to Great Outdoors) to Peter Worline / Ed Emond, 30480 Keith Avenue, Cathedral City, CA 92234.

Registration Form

Name: (please print)________________________________________

G.O. Membership #___________Chapter______________________

Phone:_____________________________________________________

Email:_____________________________________________________

Emergency contact:_________________________________________

Relationship:______________________Phone:__________________

‘Medical Insurance Carrier:_________________________________

Grp/Policy #_______________________________________________

Physician_________________________________________________

Physician’s Phone_________________________________________

WAIVER OF LIABILITY, MEDICAL RELEASE AND ASSIGNMENT

I am aware that my participation in this GREAT OUTDOORS Inc. trip may include potentially hazardous activities, and I am voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge and understanding that I will use my best judgment to avoid injury to others and myself. I agree to follow the directions of the trip leader and abide by the rules of the facility I am using. I hereby release GREAT OUTDOORS Inc. including its officers, trail or trip lead-ers, agents or other persons working with GREAT OUTDOORS Inc. from any liability for injuries, physical or mental, which I may suffer by reason of par-ticipation in these activities. I recognize in waiving this liability that I assume sole responsibility for my actions and cannot blame any injuries or losses on any other persons connected with GREAT OUTDOORS Inc.

I hereby agree to assume full financial responsibility for any bills incurred by me for medical treatment as a result of my participation this GREAT OUT-DOORS Inc. activity. In the event that I am unable to consent to medical care, I hereby authorize the trip leader to consent to emergency medical treat-ment for me, including hospitalizations and surgery, as may be determined under the circumstances.

Sign by the X _________________________________Date:______________

FEE: Applicant: Camp, Hike, Dinner, Breakfast $20.00

Saturday Hike and Dinner Only $15.00

Saturday Hike Only $5.00 Non-Members please add $5:00 to

the above rates. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the

Wildlands Conservancy

Trip Leader’s Use:

Date:_______________Check:______________Amount:________

Articles for this newsletter should be submitted as Microsoft Word at-

tachments via e-mail by the 15th of the month to:

newsletter@dc.rr.com

If you wish to purchase advertising space in “The Oasis” please sub-

mit your inquiries to:

Patrick at the above e-mail address. Ads should be submitted in jpg

format if possible.

Proposed schedule of activities

The yearly schedule of activities is subject to change, so please check

the newsletter or web site for the most up-to-date information about the

chapter’s activities.

In addition there is always room to add new activities, so if you are in-

terested in leading a hike, a camping trip, 4x4 or another outing, please

contact: Any member of the Core Group.

When it’s time to renew your membership, please turn in the form with your

payment. It is extremely important!

1 Anza Borrego

Nature Trail

9:00 am

8 Pine City 9:00 am

14 Game Night 6:00 pm

15 Whitewater

Campout

8:00 am

16/20 Wildflower Walk 9:00 am

19 General Meeting 7:45 pm

21 Moonlight Hike 8:00 pm

22 4x4 Rouse Ridge 8:00 am

March

Events Palm Springs

Core Group

http://greatoutdoors.org/ps

President

Bruce Maughan

760.327.1789

president-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Vice President of Outings

Peter Worline

760.668.2400

outings-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Treasurer

Game Night Coordinator

Bill McPike

760.778.7851

treasurer-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Secretary

Scott Connelly

760.324.5001

secretary-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Board Representative

Cliff

760.365.3677

boardrep-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Newsletter Publisher/Editor

Patrick McNeil

760.770.6040

newsletter-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Copy Editor

Richard Cabitto

760.770.6040

newsletter-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Web Site Administrator

Ed Emond

760.202.7413

webmaster-ps@greatoutdoors.org

Non-Members:

We will add you to our newsletter mailing list free of charge for 3

months. Please note, however, that a two dollar fee will be

charged on day hikes, 4x4 outings and moonlight hikes.

Great Outdoors Palm Springs

PO BOX 361

Palm Springs, CA 92263

March, 2008

Address Correction Requested

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