Fountain-Edgar Traverse (California)

Fountain-Edgar Traverse

(California, Providence Mts. East of Barstow)

Harlan W. S.
January 1, 2006

Kathy and Joe diverged from Courtney, Rick and me early on, and I got no pictures of them. The cloud ceiling was high, but most of the day was gray and gloomy, and I had a hard time getting enough light for sharp camera focus.

The route was an unending obstacle course that is not obvious from the photos. The traverse from Fountain, to the DPS route up Edgar, is particularly full of numerous minor lumps perched on cliffs; the roughness of this route has been noted elsewhere. Of course we saw Ed F's name in the register on Edgar.

To get to the start of this hike from Vegas, take us95 south to the intersection with i40 in California. Then take i40 for 33 miles west and turn NE (right) on Essex Road to Mitchell Caverns State Park (don't turn off to the town of Essex, which is perhaps 20 miles along i40). Take the paved Essex Road ~16 miles to the campground.

GPS trace; the km above "ascent arrow" is partly conjecture, as the satellites were often blocked by cliffs and my head.	Part of the route Taken by Rick, Courtney and Harlan, as seen from the campground. Dotted line indicates the route (to Crystal Spring) is hidden in a wash.	The campsites are high on hill, and are exposed. I later guyed down my tent and piled rocks on deadmen. The winds were very strong. The main pole sheared in the middle of the night, so I slept in the car.

Sunrise.	The first wide chimney and butt shot.	Up the ENE-WSW-running ridge.

	View of Visitor's Center.



This is one of two big gaps on Fountain summit block.	View W at a gap.	This is one of two big gaps on Fountain summit block.

Finally we're on Fountain. This is a panorama centered on S-SE.	Rick takes in lunch.	View N to Edgar.

	A cave-crack we took down along the ridge.	The route was full of this kind of stuff.

View back at Fountain.	Another view back at Fountain. Courtney rehydrates.	On top of Edgar at 12:15 PM; view of Mitchell. Not today.

Panorama ~NW.	Preparing for the descent, when I will unsuccessfully try to fly 20 feet, to avoid tedious hiking.	Descent above the prickly wash. View of road into Visitor's Center.