The scheduled trip to Antsell Rock was changed to Apache Peak and Spitler Peak due
to problems relating to the season. The group for the trip consisted of 11 HPS
members which included 8 emblem holders.
The day started with low hanging clouds so that neither peak was visible.
Directions for approaching the trip were given by the ranger at the Pine Springs
Ranch. He suggested going up the road on the Cedar Crest Ranch until we came to
the campground, then backtrack across a horse trail to a jeep trail that
originates at the Bonita Vista Ranch (the BVR discourages hikers.) We found the
campground all right but somehow missed the horse trail. After beating through
brush for about one-half hour, we finally found the jeep trail. The jeep trail
ends at a locked gate. After this a reasonably good trail takes one to the ridge
between Apache and Spitler.
By the time we reached the ridge the weather had cleared up. We then went to
Apache over a light snow. For those interested, there are two points on Apache.
The point to the west is the high point. On this peak, Jim Van Allen became the
114th emblem holder. Because of extremely high winds and the resulting coldness,
we decided to have lunch at the saddle between peaks.
While we were having lunch, the clouds suddenly moved in again. The result was a
trip to Spitler in the clouds. Fortunately, Spitler is a relatively easy peak to
find (there's only one high point.) At the top we were just barely able to see
if everyone was there. The trip to the cars was uneventful and was accomplished
in about 90 minutes.
