Dirt Peaks near Shoshone, CA

Pics by Harlan W S
February 12, 2020

Happy belated birthday Barb! Kathy had posted pictures of this hike, Barb was curious, Barb offered to drive! Branch Whitney calls these peaks Fence Post and South; they are accessed by the China Date Ranch near Tecopa, CA. Certainly unusual, very different terrain. Except for the washes, you won't see a plant anywhere. There are steps cut in the dirt on the steeper sections.

We first went to Fence Post Peak (FPP), and thought we could easily cut up a wash to South... oops!	Context	First view of FPP
Steep dirt en route to FPP.	There is a rope! Sans rope, I would bring three huge nails, a trowel, a hammer, and a harness with two leashes	Barb tops out on the rope. Hint: bring gloves, especially for descent.
On top, view to South Peak	Telephoto to Date Ranch
Barb finishes the rope on the less-steep section.
Surely this wash will lead right to the base of South Peak!	Well, if you can fly. Camera is pointed up, chimney is overhanging at base. If it were rock I might give it a try. But it is dirt.	So we retreat. Hmmm, didn't we see a trail heading S?
		Here's the trail
Barb has just climbed very steep loose dirt		Stay on the trail!
	Finally we are on the east end of South Peak (got that?). More steps cut in dirt
Some peaks in Kingston Range tempt.	On top of South
The wash we tried to climb. So close...		Barb on trail back.
	Barb skis down loose dirt	a last look at FPP