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tekewin Posts: 365
2/10/2018
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The weather was favorable for a partial traverse of the Santa Rosa range crossing five peaks, four of them on the Sierra Club San Diego Peaks list. The plan was to start at the Villager trailhead, ascend Smoke Tree Canyon to the major ridge, then hit five peaks in this order:
Pyramid Peak (SDC #62)
Marble Peak (Unofficial)
Rosa Point (SDC #28, DPS #67, HPS #281)
Mile High Mountain (SDC #24)
Villager Peak (SDC #12, HPS #208)
I started and finished in the dark. I decided to back load the night hiking, figuring it would be easier to follow the VIllager trail down than ascend a canyon. I started at 5:45 AM, covering the mile or so up Palo Verde Canyon to the Smoke Tree Canyon split before sunrise. I made a short side trip to the Natural Rock Tanks. Despite the lack of rain, there was water in the first tank I visited. On Pyramid Peak, I had great views to Travelers Peak and Salton Sea. Next was the long 1700' climb to Rosa Point, one of the toughest sections of the day. I hunted around the long flat summit until I found the benchmark. It was about 100' southeast of the summit rocks in an open, flat area.
Natural Rock Tank with water
Travelers and Salton Sea
Looking back from Rosa Point
After a few false summits, I spotted Mile High Mountain. The terrain above 5000' started to change. Pines and junipers grew along with other shrubs missing from the lower desert slopes. The hardest part of the day was the 1000’ drop off Mile High then up an alluvial fan to the Villager Ridge. Mostly class 2 and 3. From there, I was only one mile and 500’ gain from Villager. The views into Clark Valley were stunning. I can see why Villager is so popular. I didn’t stay long because I only had an hour of daylight left.
At sunset, I stopped to unpack lights (headlamp and flashlight) and take inventory. I was behind schedule, a mile in the air and 5 miles from the truck. Worse, I was dehydrated and down to 8 oz. of water. Despite drinking two bottles of water on the drive to the trailhead, I hadn't brought enough. None of the bars or food I had left was appealing, but I forced myself to eat something to power the descent. Thankfully, the trail remained clear and well defined. My knees, hips, and lower back all complained from accumulated minor insults. I thought I would be back at the car by 7:00 PM. When that time came, I was still 3 miles out, watching tiny headlights below dance along the S22. I had cell service so I texted my wife to let her know I was OK. When I reached the truck, I sat down to guzzle two bottles of water before starting the drive home. 19.2 miles, 7107’ gain, 14 hours 45 minutes. More gory details here.
Villager from Mile High
Mile High from the saddle
Villager summit
edited by tekewin on 2/10/2018
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Buford Posts: 453
2/18/2018
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Tekewin’s post got me motivated enough to do the loop today. Thanks for posting the route!
Started at 6:45 am, a little later than planned.
Bagged Pyramid at 8:30 after a straight forward climb.
I was surprised at how good the use trail was going to Rosa.
Made it to Rosa Point about 10. The final stretch was rough.
Summited Mile High at noon.
Dropped down to the saddle at the top of Rattlesnake Canyon. Decided to hit the Villager ridge line for the superior views.
Climbed the Villager ridge line and topped out at 1:00.
Realized I was ahead of schedule and had plenty of food and water and could hit Villager again since it was only 1k of gain and a mile away, but then realized I was ahead of schedule and could get to Dudley’s before closing. Immediately went downhill and out.
Back At the car at 3:00, Dudley’s about 4:15.
No sheep on the hike, but plenty of signs of them. I did see a ram cross Montezuma grade this morning about 6:00 am.
Tons of roasting pits along the route.
There was an icy wind up high. I had to find a sheltered spot on each summit to sign the register and eat a snack. A couple gusts were strong enough to affect my footing. The cold wind helped cut down on water needs.
Edit, can’t get pictures to show up from mobile. I’ll add a few later.
edited by Buford on 2/18/2018
edited by Buford on 2/18/2018
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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